Koyasan Okunoin

Esoteric Buddhism brought from China by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in the 9th century. Characterized by practices using mantras, mudras, and mandalas. With Mount Koya as its sacred site and Kukai known as the founder of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, Shingon practices like goma fire rituals and blessing prayers remain deeply rooted in contemporary Japanese spiritual life.

The headquarters of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai). A religious city with 117 temples, it offers unique experiences including temple lodging, vegetarian cuisine, and the atmospheric path to Okunoin cemetery. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

An ancient pilgrimage network registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.' The trails linking the three Kumano grand shrines share a sister-road partnership with Spain's Camino de Santiago.

A World Heritage pilgrimage route to the Kumano Sanzan shrines. One of only two 'path' World Heritage sites alongside Spain's Santiago de Compostela. Moss-covered stone paths are mystical.

The sacred site of Shingon Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi. Temple stays at 52 temples offer vegetarian cuisine, morning prayers, and meditation, hugely popular with international tourists.

The collective name for pilgrimage routes leading to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano on the Kii Peninsula. UNESCO World Heritage listed, they share the distinction with Spain's Santiago de Compostela as one of only two pilgrimage routes with World Heritage status. Walking moss-covered stone paths through cedar forests captivates trekkers worldwide.

A pilgrimage route to Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano) in Wakayama Prefecture. The approximately 100-kilometer path through dense Kii Mountains forests has served as a sacred route for imperial and noble pilgrims since the 16th century. The three primary contemporary routes—Nakahechi, Ohechi, and Kohechi—total approximately 70 kilometers. Stone-paved trails wind through groves of centuries-old cedar, connecting sacred sites including Takijiri Oji shrine and Kumano Hongu Taisha. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, it represents Japan's foremost mountain pilgrimage tradition.