The Kumano Kodo

Ancestral Paths of Spirituality and Reflection in the Japanese Mountains

In the heart of Japan, where mountain peaks hide in ancient mists and shrines unfold like spiritual oases, lies the Kumano Kodo.

For over 1,000 years, people from all walks of life, including emperors and retired aristocrats, have made the arduous pilgrimage to Kumano. These pilgrims used a network of routes, now called the Kumano Kodo, that stretched across the mountainous Kii Peninsula, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The three great Kumano shrines – Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha – are the spiritual guardians of these paths.

Every step along these trails, which wind through ancient trees and small rural villages, is an act of communion with nature and the history that permeates the land.

Village Hospitality: Rural Villages that Shelter Stories

Along the trails of the Kumano Kodo, small rural villages emerge as resting points, offering hospitality and telling stories of ancient times.

The teahouses, ryokan (traditional inns), and small shops along the way reveal the simplicity and warmth of life in these villages. Residents, with their welcoming smiles, may have stories to tell, linking their everyday lives with the legends and traditions of the region.

The Silence Between the Mountains

The Kumano Kodo could represent a palette of human and natural experiences. In this corner of Japan, where spirituality intertwines with the majesty of the mountains, he could find the calm and introspection that characterizes his work. The sacred cedars and hidden corners could become the canvas for painting a story of connection between humanity and the universe.

Ultimately, the Kumano Kodo mountains hold secrets and the footprints of pilgrims are intertwined with the stories of past generations.