Kumano-kodo Roads are a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Peninsula, the largest Peninsula in Japan.
These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" (the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha). "Taisha" means "Grand Shrine".
The Kumano-kodo pilgrimage routes that lead to Kumano can be geographically categorized into five sub-routes: "Kiiji", "Kohechi", "Nakahechi", "Ohechi" and "Iseji". The Kumano-kodo and Kumano Sanzan, along with Koya-san, Yoshino and Omine, were registered together as UNESCO World Heritage on July 7, 2004 as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range".

The "Kiiji" route runs along the west coast of the peninsula to the city of Tanabe where it forks into two: "Nakahechi" and "Ohechi". The "Nakahechi" route leads into the rugged interior mountains towards Kumano Hongu Taisha, and the "Ohechi" continues south to Shingu City along the coast.
The "Nakahechi" was the most popular route used by pilgrimages from Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. The earliest records of the use of this route dates from the early 10th century. The trail has a long history of use by people with diverse belief backgrounds leading to a variety of mixed religious symbolism overlaid and incorporated into the geographical setting and stages of the pilgrimage itself.
The UNESCO World Heritage registered-section of the "Nakahechi" route begins at Takijiri-oji which is considered to be the point of entry to the sacred area of Kumano. From here it is about 40 km of mountainous trail before you reach the mystical Kumano Hongu Taisha. Most pilgrimages break the journey into a two day walk. The Chikatsuyu-oji (a small shrine) is about halfway and most pilgrims stay the night here at a local minshuku (family inn).

In Hongu pilgrims often did purification rites in Yunomine Onsen (Yunomine Hot Spring). Tsuboyu is a small cabin on the creek that runs through this isolated onsen village. Inside is a small rocky bath that is the only World Heritage hot spring that you can bathe in the world. You can reserve this historic bath of 30 minutes for 750 yen. It was not only used for purification rites but for its legendary healing effects. The Kumano-kodo Dainichi-goe route links Kumano Hongu Taisha with Yunomine. It is 2 km long and is a steep climb, and descends over a small pass.

From Kumano Hongu Taisha most pilgrims went by boat on the Kumano River to Kumano Hayatama Taisha in the coastal town of Shingu city. This 40 km section of the Kumano-kodo is also World Heritage and the only river pilgrimage route in the world that is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage. There is also an overland route which links Kumano Hongu Taisha with Kumano Nachi Taisha. Most pilgrims take two days to complete this walk staying in the small town of Koguchi. The section between Hongu and Koguchi is called the Kogumotori-goe, and the section between Koguchi and Kumano Nachi Taisha is called Okumotori-goe. Both of them are passes over a mountain.

The "Kohechi" route links Koya-san to the Kumano Sanzan. It runs north to south and is 70 km long. It is the shortest route, but is a tough walk which traverses three passes of over 1,000 meters.

Hongu Grand Shrine

Hayatama Grand Shrine

Nachi Grand Shrine

The "Iseji" route links Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine) with the Kumano Sanzan. It was not until 17th century that this route became used as part of the Saigoku pilgrimage. The first temple is Seigantoji Temple, a temple that is located next to the Kumano Nachi Taisha.

Along the "Iseji" route the "Magose Toge" forms the boundary between Miyama town and Owase City. A moss-covered stone path stretches about 2 km into the beautiful cypress forest covered with ferns. This route leads to Tengura-san with a huge stone at the tip. There is a small tunnel just below the stone where you can enter. From the stone, you can have a scenic view of Owase City. Magose Park on the way down the pass is famous for its cherry blossoms.