A journey through the "land where the gods dwell" that will shake your soul. A series of surprises and excitement! Introducing Kumano's standard sightseeing spots all at once
掲載日：2020.10.26
"The land where the gods dwell." The land of Kumano has been called that since ancient times. In ancient times, people continued to walk towards Kumano, a sacred place where they prayed for resurrection.
The area is rich in nature and has been the setting for many myths and legends. Many of them have been registered as World Heritage Sites, and have passed down the lives of the people and their historical value to this day.
See, hear, feel. A journey that leaves a deep impression on your mind and body. We toured some of the most popular spots that are easy to visit, even for those who are new to Kumano.
There are many materials and pamphlets related to Kumano tourism, including Kumano Kodo and other attractions, gourmet food, and souvenirs. You can also ask the staff directly about anything you are interested in or have questions about. If you have a lot of luggage, you can leave it there (for a fee).
By the way, at the KumanoCity Tourist Information Center, you can experience KumanoCity 's tourist spots using state-of-the-art VR (virtual reality) equipment. The footage captured using a drone from a perspective that cannot normally be seen is truly moving.
It's free, so you can feel free to enjoy it. The video is also available on Youtube, and you can easily watch it on your smartphone, but be sure to check out the powerful video at the tourist information center, which has the latest equipment!
It's good to get around efficiently by car, but this time I'll be traveling by rental bicycle, which will allow me to enjoy Kumano's wind and sunlight while also making detours easily. We also chose one with electric assist, which allows for easy driving over long distances and up hills. It seems to be popular with tourists, and they plan to change all of their rental bicycles to electric-assist types in the future. Now, it's time to leave!
KumanoCity Tourist Information Center
0597-89-2229
free
9：00～18：00
December 29th - January 3rd
Nearby
1 minute walk from JR KumanoCity
10 minutes from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC
This mountain pass connects Odomari and Kimoto in KumanoCity and is registered as a World Heritage Site. Its appeal is that it is relatively easy to climb among the Kumano Kodo routes, with an altitude of 135m and a distance of approximately 3km. The moss-covered stone pavements remind us of the thoughts of our predecessors, who had such a deep faith that it was said that they went to Ise seven times, and Kumano three times. There is a legend that if you tie a rope to the Koshin statue at the foot of the Kimoto side, you will find a lost item.
By the way, what is that gunshot wound? When I looked closely, I saw a hole the size of a little finger near the hem on the left side. Please look for it.
The coastline of Shichirimihama, also known as Hamakaido, can be seen from here, and it is said to be the best view of the Kumano Kodo. A must-see is this magnificent panoramic picture scroll that overlooks approximately 25km in the direction of Shingu, where Kumano Hayatama Taisha is located! It may be a bit of a detour, but please come and visit us.
Matsumoto Pass/ Hana-no-Iwaya (Kumano Kodo Iseji Route)
0597-89-6172
・Several cars near the entrance on the Odomari side
[To JR Odomari Station, the starting point]
・About 3 hours by train from JR/Kintetsu Tsu Station
・About 10 minutes by train from KumanoCity Station on the JR Kisei Main Line
- Immediately by car south from Owase-Kumano Road "Kumano Odomari IC"
Due to erosion by waves and uplift of the land due to large earthquakes, large, strangely shaped rocks and countless caves of various sizes are lined up along the coast. The ever-changing scenery that can be seen from the approximately 1.2 km long promenade is truly astounding.
You can directly feel the bottomless power of Mother Nature that created this overwhelming landscape.
Onigajo (KumanoCity)
0597-89-4111
Yes 72 units
10 large buses
18 large buses (Onigajo Center 2nd parking lot)
・About 5 minutes by bus bound for Omata Okubo from KumanoCity Station on the JR Kisei Main Line, and get off at Onigajo Higashiguchi.
・Approximately 1 minute drive south from Kumano Owase Road "Kumano Odomari IC"
Ristorante Marina is a restaurant where you can dine on the terrace while looking out at the Kumano Sea. A takeout corner where you can enjoy local sweets such as Niihime soft serve ice cream. There is a ``souvenir corner'' with plenty of local specialties, and there are plenty of items that allow you to experience Kumano in its entirety! There are also large monitors disseminating tourist information and a model of the fireworks used for the Kumano Fireworks in the summer.
Anyway, there are so many products that you will be confused! Ponzu sauce and dressing made with Kumano's specialty citrus ``Nihime'', KumanoJidori(TheLocalBrandChicken), Nachi Kuroishi, local beer and local sake, umeboshi and chili peppers...
Onigajo Center
0597-89-1502
9:00～17:00
Open all year round
Kumano Oodomari IC exit R42 towards Shingu
It is said that pilgrims who once walked along the Hamakaido Road were also troubled by these violent waves, and were sometimes actually kidnapped. A memorial monument has been erected near the mouth of the Shihara River to commemorate those who lost their lives.
Because it has been polished by the rough waves, the surface is very smooth and has few edges, making it rounded. For this reason, it is widely used as garden stones, interior decorations, and accessories, and is called ``Mihama pebbles.''
ShichiriMihamaBeach
0597-89-0100
5 minutes walk from JR KumanoCity Station
Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC - National Route 42
(About 5 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC)
It is said that this is caused by upheaval of the ground or sea erosion, but it often takes on this shape. Truly a work of art created by nature. It is also called ``Japan's Sphinx'' and has been selected as one of the country's scenic spots and one of Japan's 100 Scenic Views.
Also, during the Kumano Fireworks Festival held on August 17th every year, you can see many people taking photos with the fireworks in the background. It is a viewpoint that camera lovers cannot miss.
Shishiiwa
0597-89-4111
free
Open all year round
can be
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Kisei Main Line "KumanoCity Station"
About 3 minutes by car from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC along National Route 42 Shichirimihama toward Shingu.
Don't forget to check here, as you can remove the electric bicycle's battery and charge it. In addition, udon, dumplings, and mochi made with Hananoiwaya-jinjaShrine are popular within the museum. You can also purchase Kumano specialties such as Mehari-sushi and saury sushi, as well as souvenirs such as string, local chicken, mandarin oranges, and local sake.
Mehari-sushi in the set can be changed to saury sushi or ancient rice rice balls depending on your preference. The photo above is "Ancient Rice Mitarashi Dango" (100 yen/tax included). The food is cooked to order, so it's always piping hot. In both, you can enjoy the flavor of Izanami rice (black rice), which can be said to be the origin of rice farming culture, and its unique chewy texture.
Michi-no-eki Kumano/ Hana-no-Iwaya “Otsuna Chaya”
0597-88-1011
10:00～17:00
Open all year round
13 regular cars, 2 buses
2 minute bus ride from JR KumanoCity Station to Shingu Station and get off at "Hana-no-Iwaya"
Approximately 10 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC
Hananoiwaya-jinjaShrine
0597-89-0100
can be
4 minutes by bus from JR KumanoCity Station to Shingu Station and get off at "Hana-no-Iwaya"
Approximately 10 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC
In addition to being easily accessible, just a 5-minute walk from JR KumanoCity Station, you can choose between Western-style and Japanese-style rooms to suit your tastes and goals. Additionally, you can use the washing machine, dryer, and internet-enabled computer for free.
The elaborate menu features an array of raw fish, boiled fish, grilled fish, vinegared fish, and more. While I was busy moving my chopsticks, memories of today's experience came back to me. A day where you can experience the deep charm of the ``land where the gods dwell'', which can be said to be the roots of the Japanese people. I would like to visit again in the near future and visit Tategasaki, MaruyamaSenmaida, and Akakura-JinjaShrine, which are said to be more ``deep Kumano.'' It was an intense trip that made me feel that way.
*Information as of October 2020. Prices and other information may have changed, so please check with your contact information before making your trip.
Business Hotel Miharashitei
0597-89-1211
can be
3 minutes walk from JR KumanoCity Station
Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Kisei Expressway Kisei ouchiyama IC
