Shugendo Mountain Ascetic Tradition

A pilgrimage tradition merging spring cherry blossoms with sacred mountain worship at Yoshino in Nara Prefecture. Long known as a training ground for ascetics, approximately 30,000 cherry trees—including ancient specimens over 1,000 years old—create a unique fusion of nature and spirituality. The mountain's transformation into a sea of pink blossoms offers pilgrims an extraordinary spiritual experience.

Pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine became a massive popular phenomenon in the Edo period with the saying 'once in a lifetime, visit Ise.' Including the Okagehyokocho street food culture and famous Akafuku mochi, it remains a spiritual travel touchstone for Japanese people today.

A sacred site of mountain worship comprising Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. With over 1,400 years of history as a training ground for Shugendo asceticism, the mountain monks in white robes and their austere practices preserve Japan's mountain ascetic traditions.

One of Japan's oldest pilgrimage circuits, visiting 33 Kannon sacred sites mainly across the Kinki region. Said to have been established in 718, it is known alongside the Shikoku Pilgrimage as one of Japan's two great pilgrimage routes. It was designated a Japan Heritage in 2019.

Japan's oldest pilgrimage route visiting 33 Kannon temples across Kansai. Designated as Japan Heritage in 2019, it has gained popularity among young people alongside the goshuin stamp boom.

A successful anime pilgrimage case as the setting of 'Girls und Panzer.' Character panels line shopping streets, making it a model case of anime tourism revitalizing regional economies.

The setting of anime 'Anohana.' Chichibu's nature and townscape attract fans as one of the earliest successful anime pilgrimage cases.