An imposing temple hidden throughout the rugged mountains of Wakayama
Kumano Hongu Taisha is among the many three good shrines that make up Kumano Sanzan and is located deep throughout the Kii Mountains. Its picket physique has prolonged been a sight for sore eyes as road-weary vacationers climb the last word stone staircase to the shrine.
- Approaching the shrine by the usual route alongside the Nakahechi path from Hosshinmon Oji
- Refined constructing strategies use picket joints moderately than nails
- Yata-no-Hi there August Fireplace Pageant or Kumano Hongu Taisha Spring Pageant
Kumano Hongu, traditionally reached by a strenuous mountain trek, is now merely accessible by bus.
Take a bus from Shingu (one hour and 20 minutes), Kii-Tanabe or Shirahama stations (about two hours). Get off at Hongu-Taisha-Mae for the closest technique to the shrine or Hosshinmon Oji for a stupendous two-hour hike alongside the historic technique.
Fast info
The largest torii gate on the earth now stands on the distinctive web site of the Oyunohara shrine
Entrance to the temple grounds is free, nonetheless entrance to the treasury is ¥300
Hongu Taisha is on the center of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route
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You might suppose that the shrine seems comparatively youthful at 900 years outdated, and in addition you'd be correct. In 1889, a implausible flood washed over the shrine in her genuine dwelling of Oyunohara. What remained was taken to its current dwelling in Tanabe 
and completely rebuilt.
The distinctive web site is a quick stroll from the current shrine grounds, merely marked by an infinite torii gate erected in 2000 to commemorate the earlier web site.
All roads end in Hongu Taisha
All pilgrimages on the Kumano Kodo Historic Pilgrimage Route finally you may come to the stone steps ensuing within the good shrine of the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine . Nonetheless, not all friends would possibly endure the arduous weeks of strolling by way of the rugged mountain terrain undertaken by historic pilgrims. As we converse, the shrine might be very widespread with day friends and may be very crowded in the midst of the New Yr interval.
Hidden among the many many cypress bushes
Not like the colorful crimson color of Hayatama and Nachi Taisha, Kumano Hongu Taisha appears a further muted decide as its picket facade blends into the pure background. Its in depth cypress bark roof is particularly spectacular.
Spring lanterns are sprung
Every spring, the Kumano Hongu Taisha Spring Pageant is held on the shrine. On April 13, fathers and sons will immerse themselves throughout the sacred waters of shut by Yunomine Onsen in an act of purification, then trek part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in typical costume. Fathers must be strong on account of their sons are forbidden to the contact the earth.
On April 15, the Kumano deities settled of their transportable shrines and have been transported to the shrine's genuine web site in Oyunohara. Later, in August, is the Yata-no-Hi there Fireplace Pageant, held on the genuine web site of the Oyunohara Shrine, and incorporates a burning mikoshi shrine and fireworks.
