Visit Kumano Sanzan area of Kii Mountains, Japan (UNESCO site)

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The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Kii Peninsula in Japan. The locations and paths for this heritage site were based on their historical and modern importance in religious pilgrimages. It was also noted for its fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and a well documented history of traditions over 1,200 years. Sections of the trails were included for this nomination, but not the full length of their expanses. A total of 242 elements were selected from sites and pilgrimage routes for nomination. The main features of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range incorporates three sacred sites across Nara, Wakayama and Mie prefectures: "Yoshino/Omine", "Kumano Sanzan", " Kōyasan" and the pilgrimage routes that connect them. Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Three Shrines) is located in the southeastern part of the Kii Peninsula and includes: Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine An afternoon will suffice to see all three shrines by car, but, if you would like to fully enjoy the scenery, it is recommended that you stay at the Katsuura Onsen or Hongu Onsen Hot Spring and have a more leisurely visit. The two temples of Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji are 20 to 40 km apart from each other and connected by 'Kumano Sankeimichi Nakahechi'. Nachi Falls, which is itself considered a god, is 13 m wide and 133 m high, and is known as one of the highest waterfalls in Japan. Because it is believed that touching the splash of the falls ensures long life, many tourists gather around the waterfall basin. Nachi Primeval Forest has been revered as a place of asceticism for mountain god worshipers and has been protected since ancient times as a sanctuary. The ancient pilgrimage routes connecting these sites are locally called the Kumano Kodo and one of only two UNESCO World Heritage registered pilgrimage routes in the world, one other being the Santiago e Compostela. The coastal trails are gone, but the mountain trails are still visible. They are Nakahech, Ohechi, Iseji, Kohechi and Omine Okugake. Nakahechi is hilly, but it is easy to walk on. The trail culminates at Hongu Taisha. The Ohechi trail is barely visible now, but during the 15th century thousands of pilgrims crossed it. The Iseji trail joins the Ise Shrine to the Kumano. "Yoshino/Omine" and " Kōyasan" are covered in related dreams.

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