The Kumano is a site selected by many pilgrims to make their spiritual trips. The Kumano territory is visited by believers of all social levels, who use a wide variety of roads that form a network of routes called Kumano Kodo . Walking is part of the ritual of crossing the Kumano Kodo tracks . Observing the landscape and feeling the spirituality of the route, the pilgrims are purified before reaching the 3 great temples of Kumano.
Location of Kumano Kodo .
The Kumano Kodo is located on the largest peninsula in Japan called "Kii", it is located south of Kyoto. The paths are distributed within a wooded mountain chain, where silence and spirituality create an atmosphere of meditation and contemplation . It is currently UNESCO World Heritage.
Silence and spirituality create an atmosphere of meditation and contemplation
Places of interest for visitors .
The routes of the Kumano Kodo network are made to visit the three temples or shrines of Kumano. The Temples are: Kumano Hongu Taisha in the city Tanabe, Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Shingu and K umano Nachi Taischa in Nachisan.
From Kumano Hongu you can go by bus and take a boat for two hours, to visit the cliffs and their beautiful blue waters . This trip is known as " Dorokyo Gorges ".
In the Kawayu hot springs, which are very close to the river, people have a habit of digging a deep hole to access hotter waters and perform meditation.
Yunomine hot springs are considered among the oldest. Pilgrims use it to purify their souls . They do this as a pre-meditation preparation in Kumano.
Tanabe station . Here begins the path of Nakahec hi . It is very close to the sanctuary of Tokel Huiga. Tanabe is a city that has an approximate 85 thousand inhabitants in its territory.
Nachi cataracts . You can't miss visiting these falls in your spiritual places because they have 133 meters of water fall and are the highest in Japan.
One of the most recommended Spiritual Trips
Spiritual trips to Kumano San Zan .
This is the name given to the three largest shrines in Kumano Kodo . The roads go through a lush forest. At this point the trails have different degrees of difficulty. They attract hikers and nature lovers from all over the world. For many centuries this area has been considered a sacred place since the Shinto religion of the Japanese considers the mountain as the sacred abode of the dead .
The routes of Kumano Kodo .
To start your spiritual journeys through Kumano Kodo it is necessary to know the different routes and accommodations that each one of them offers you. Then the most frequent that the pilgrim can follow to immerse themselves in the spirituality of the Kumano San Zan .
First Route of Kumano Kodo .
Its name is Kiiji, this road borders the west coast of the island. It goes from the city of Kyoto to the town of Tanabe. Leaving Tanabe the route is divided into: The imperial route of approximately 40km from Kyoto to Kumano San Zan and the Ohechi route that goes along the coast.
Second Route of Kumano Kodo .
The Kohechi road crosses the mountains, it is the shortest but has a greater degree of difficulty than the other routes.
Third Route of Kumano Kodo .
The west road Iseji through the mountains reaches the sanctuary of Ise Jinju.
Fourth Route of Kumano Kodo .
The different routes converge in the temple of Hongu Taisha, from this sacred place you can visit the other temples .
These spiritual journeys through Kumano Kodo's path could be compared to the Camino de Santiago in Europe, for the number of pilgrims who choose the mountain range to know themselves and get in touch with Mother Nature. Both routes are considered World Heritage . I invite you to know the wonders of Japan and its culture through your spiritual journeys in the Kumano Kodo.
AUTHOR: Antonio, editor of the great family of hermandadblanca.org
