• Hosshinmon Oji - The Hosshinmon-oji Shrine, known as the “Gate of Awakening,” signifies the traditional entry into the sacred grounds of Kumano Hongu Taisha. Pilgrims reaching this point are believed to have experienced a spiritual awakening, opening their hearts to the divine. Encircled by cedar forests and tranquil hills, the shrine represents the boundary between the human realm and the divine. Here, travelers commence their final journey towards Kumano’s spiritual heart. As a key part of the Kumano Kodo’s network of ninety-nine Oji shrines, Hosshinmon-oji is among the most significant, preserving the ancient belief that nature itself is sacred.
• Mizunomi Oji - Mizunomi-oji derives its name from the act of “drinking water.” During the pilgrimage, travelers would stop here to rest, purify, and refresh themselves before continuing their journey to Hongu. This spot symbolizes both physical and spiritual rejuvenation, reminding pilgrims that faith is nurtured by nature’s gifts. The gentle sounds of nearby streams and the rustling trees create a serene sanctuary within the forest. As part of the sacred chain of Oji shrines, Mizunomi-oji embodies the deep reverence for water in the Kumano faith, seen as a medium of purification and rebirth.
• Fushiogamioji - At Fushiogami-oji, the path reveals a view of the distant Kumano Hongu Taisha. Legend tells that pilgrims, moved by emotion upon seeing the great shrine for the first time, would kneel in gratitude and prayer, hence the name “to worship while kneeling.” This moment captures the essence of the Kumano pilgrimage: not triumph, but humility before the sacred. The surrounding landscape, where mountains and mist converge, conveys the ethereal beauty that defines the Kumano Kodo. Even today, this place invites visitors to pause and experience the quiet joy of arriving within sight of their destination.
• The Site of Sangenchaya - The Sangen-jaya site once hosted three teahouses that provided weary pilgrims with rest as they approached Hongu. It was a place of brief respite and human warmth, where travelers shared stories, laughter, and sometimes tears after days on the mountain road. Although the teahouses no longer exist, the site reminds visitors that the Kumano Kodo was not only a journey of faith but also of community. Here, between sacred shrines, people connected through kindness and hospitality, embodying the spirit of compassion that remains part of Kumano’s living tradition.
• Haraido-oji - Harai-do-oji served as the final purification point before reaching the grand shrine of Hongu. The word “harai” means “to cleanse,” and here pilgrims performed symbolic acts to purify body and mind before their final prayers. The small shrine, embraced by forest and wind, marks the completion of the inner journey—the cleansing of worldly burdens before entering the sacred. In the Kumano faith, purity is not separation from the world but harmony with it; Harai-do-oji reminds visitors that true purification is the return to simplicity and gratitude.
• Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine - The Kumano Hongu Taisha is the spiritual heart of the Kumano Sanzan, the three great shrines of Kumano. Once located at the riverside plain of Oyunohara, it was moved to its current forested site after a devastating flood in 1889. Today, its elegant wooden pavilions and solemn torii gates stand amid towering cedars, radiating calm and sanctity. The shrine enshrines the deities of rebirth and guidance, drawing pilgrims from all over Japan for over a millennium. Here, prayers are not for victory or wealth but for renewal of the spirit. To stand in its stillness after walking the ancient path is to feel the essence of the Kumano Kodo itself—a sacred conversation between humanity and the divine.

• Guided walk from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha
• Visit to sub-shrines Mizunomi-oji, Fushiogami-oji, and Harai-do-oji
• Insights into the Kumano faith

• Transportation to and from the starting point
• Meals and drinks

Explore the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents a sacred pilgrimage route through the misty mountains of Japan’s Kii Peninsula. This guided journey from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha offers an opportunity to connect with nature’s beauty while discovering the Kumano faith. Walk through peaceful cedar forests, visit serene sub-shrines, and embrace the journey as a spiritual practice. With guidance from a local expert, each step takes you further into the spiritual core, ending at one of Japan’s most esteemed Shinto shrines.

• Discover a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a guided tour
• Visit sacred and serene shrines along the path
• Learn about the Kumano faith and its link to nature
• Perfect for spiritual seekers and nature lovers

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.