Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano)

Kumano Sanzan is a trio of revered Shinto shrines situated in the Kumano region of southern Japan. The shrines’ importance stems from the fact that they lie deep in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture’s Kii Mountain Range, an area sometimes called the land of the gods.

Religious pilgrims have traveled between the three—Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha—via walking trails known as the Kumano Kodo for over 1,000 years. While the three shrines are most accessible by car or bus, walking the ancient pilgrimage road is a life-changing spiritual experience.

Kumano shrines, holy places dedicated to this sacred area, are located all over Japan. The Kumano Sanzan, however, are the headquarters of the unique sect of nature worship combining Shintoism and Buddhism popularized in the area.

History of the Kumano Sanzan

The Kumano Sanzan shrine complexes were likely constructed between the sixth and ninth centuries as places of nature worship. Though their locations have remained roughly intact since then, remodeling and reconstruction have been necessary over the years.

In the 11th century, the Kumano Sanzan became a pilgrimage destination for the Imperial family.

By the late 15th century, however, the majority of pilgrims to Kumano were civilians—monks traveling for religious purposes, artists looking for inspiration, and other common folk. The pilgrimage was so popular people began to refer to the long processions as the “Kumano ant pilgrimage.” If you thought congested foot traffic at tourist sites like Mt. Fuji was a new phenomenon in Japan, think again!

The Kumano Sanzan today

Modern development has crept into the sacred Kumano region, covering parts of pilgrimage trails with paved highways and replacing ancient forests with towns and cities. Yet, large areas remain untouched by modern infrastructure making the journey to the three shrines much like it was centuries ago.

As the main shrine of the Kumano Sanzan, Hongu Taisha is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun goddess and Shinto’s most important deity. References to Hongu Taisha go back to the ninth century, although the shrine was likely constructed much earlier.

Due to flooding in 1889, however, Hongu Taisha was moved from its original location to its present site about a kilometer away. The tallest torii (shrine gate) in Japan towers over the entrance at 33m (108ft) high.

One of Japan’s most breathtaking sights is a vermillion at Nachi Taisha standing in front of the nation’s tallest waterfall, Nachi no Taki. The splendid view (as seen in the photo at the top of this page) draws many visitors and photographers annually. Nachi Taisha is also conveniently located nearby the coastal onsen resort of Katsuura. If traveling to the shrines on foot via the Kumano Kodo trail, this is a nice place to relax your tired feet.

Hayatama Taisha has occupied the same riverside spot since at least the 12th century, though a Shinto creation myth claims that three gods first descended to Earth in the area many centuries earlier. Sacred rocks and trees touched by these deities remain sites of worship. The shrine is also home to a museum housing a myriad of National Treasures.

The Kumano Sanzan and Kumano Kodo are considered a UNESCO World Heritage as sacred sites in Japan.