Nachi Falls Pilgrimage

Ancient pilgrimage routes leading to Kumano's three shrines in Wakayama. Traveled by nobility and commoners since the Heian period, these routes are known as Kumano Kodo and are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They represent the fusion of nature and faith in Japan's sacred geography.

One of Japan's largest waterfalls in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, dropping approximately 133 meters. Long revered as sacred, it is adjacent to Kumano Nachi Taisha, with the waterfall itself as the object of worship. The waterfall and shrine form a unified sacred landscape attracting approximately 800,000 visitors annually, central to the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage.

One of the three sacred Kumano shrines located in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. It has a unique faith system centered on Nachi Falls as the divine object. Since the Heian period, nobility has visited regularly, making it the endpoint of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Its vermilion buildings and ancient cedar trees spanning over 800 years are iconic, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A sacred waterfall site in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama, with Japan's largest single drop of 133 meters. Revered since ancient times as a place of water and waterfall divinity, it became a training ground for ascetic monks. The waterfall itself is deified and enshrined as a subsidiary shrine of Nachi Taisha. Pilgrims undergo waterfall meditation training to purify body and spirit, experiencing water's cleansing power and nature's spirituality.

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.