Kumano Kodo Iseji Route

Home , Kumano Nachi Taisha, Maruyama Shrine, Wakayama (city), Wakayama Prefecture

米原養老 JCT JCT 岐阜羽島 IC English

Nagoya-Nishi JCT Take free Lake Biwa Daian Nagoya Tokai-Kanjo Expressway ACCESS MAP IC Higashi-Meihan Expressway 23 Shin-Yokkaichi JCT Nagoya-Minami Tokaido Shinkansen JCT Suzuka Circuit Toyota-Higashi JCT Kyoto Yokkaichi Shin- Kumano Kodo Iseji Route Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix Kusatsu Line Toyota JCT Ise-Wangan Expressway Tomei Expressway Kusatsu JCT 422 JCT Tomei Expressway Chubu Centrair Meishin Expressway Shin-Meishin Expressway Kameyama-Nishi 1 International Airport To Ochiai JCT JCT 1 Osaka International Airport Kobe JCT Keiji Bypass Kameyama JCT 23 To Okayama JCT Chugoku Expressway 422 Tsuge Kameyama Joyo IC Iga-Ueno Seki JCT Sanyo Shinkansen 306

Shin-Osaka Second Keihan Highway Uenoshi Kobe 163 163 High-speed boat Tsu IC Lake Hamanako Osaka Kizu IC Tsu Tsu-Nagisamachi Port 浜松 Nara 25 Chita Peninsula Second Hanna Road 165 Osaka-Nanba Iga-Kanbe Matsubara JCT Meihan National Route Ise-Nakagawa To Tokyo Atsumi Peninsula Tenri IC Osaka Bay Matsusaka Ise Bay Koriyama- Mie Prefecture 24 23 Cape Irago Shimotsumichi 42 Nishi-Meihan Expressway JCT 368 Taki Iseshi Ferry Kansai International Airport Iga Yamato-Yagi Seiwa-Taki JCT Toba Kashihara-Kita IC Ninja Second 170 Ise-Nishi IC Ise Road Kashihara-Takada IC 166 Ise IC 167 Kinki Expressway Ise Expressway Yoshino 422 Izumisano JCT Yoshino and Omine Ise-jingu Shrine Kisei Expressway 熊野古道 24 Keinawa Expressway Hashimoto Kumano Kodo Iseji Route 260 Kashikojima Japan Mie Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama JCT Gokurakubashi Venue for Tokyo Kii-Nagashima IC Ise-Shima Summit 2016 Kii-Nagashima Koyasan 169 370 168 Miyama IC 371 480 Magose-toge Pass Owase-Kita IC Owase 425 Owase-Minami IC Ama Divers of Hanwa Expressway Kumano-Owase Road 伊勢路 169 Ise-Shima 42 311 169 309 Kumano-Odomari IC Matsumoto-toge Pass Kumano Kodo Iseji Route Kumanoshi 311 Main national/prefectural road Expressway Nanki-Tanabe IC Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine 168 (dotted line: scheduled for construction) Kumano Sea 311 Private railroad Kii-Tanabe Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine Shingu Shinkansen Nanki-Shirahama IC Shingu-Miwazaki IC JR(Japan Railway) Nachi-Katsuura IC Kisei Expressway Nanki-Shirahama Airport Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine Nachi-Katsuura Shingu Road Port 7 Kii-Katsuura Airport Susami-Minami IC Ichiya IC

Kushimoto

Access by Train Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express Tokyo Station Nagoya Station Matsusaka Station Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes by JR Shinkansen (Nozomi) Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by JR Limited Express (Wide View Nanki) ―Pilgrimage to Holy Sanctuaries Kyoto Station Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express Osaka-Nanba Station Kii-Nagashima Station Owase Station Kumanoshi Station Shingu Station Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express Approx. 1 hour Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 20 minutes through the Paths of Prayer Approx. 13 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express by JR Limited Express by JR Limited Express by JR Limited Express by JR Limited Express Iseshi Station (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) Approx. 23 minutes by JR Rapid Train (Mie) Access by Car Nagoya Kameyama JCT Approx. 40 minutes via Higashi-Meihan Expressway Approx. 40 minutes via Ise Expressway Kyoto Kusatsu JCT Kameyama JCT Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 45 minutes Approx. 40 minutes via Meishin Expressway via Shin-Meishin Expressway via Ise Expressway Seiwa-Taki JCT Kii-Nagashima IC Miyama IC Owase-Kita IC Owase-Minami IC Kumano-Odomari IC Shingu City Osaka Tenri IC Ise-Seki IC Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 15 minutes Approx. 8 minutes Approx. 10 minutes Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 40 minutes via Nishi-Meihan Expressway via Meihan National Route via Ise Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Route 42 via Kumano-Owase Road via Route 42 Ise area Approx. 20 minutes via Ise Expressway

Access by Bus Omiya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Yokohama Kii-Nagashima Approx. 8 hours by Mie Kotsu or Seibu Bus Expressway Bus (one overnight bus per day) Approx. 40 minutes Nagoya Kii-Nagashima Owase Kumano Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes by Mie Kotsu Nagoya-Nanki Expressway Bus Approx. 40 minutes Approx. 1 hour Matsusaka Kii-Nagashima Approx. 2 hours by Mie Kotsu Kumano-Nanki Bus(Kumano Kodo Line) Approx. 40 minutes

Access by Air

Your area Chubu Centrair Tsu-Nagisamachi Tsu Station Kii-Nagashima Station Owase Station Kumanoshi Station Shingu Station Approx. 45 minutes Port Approx. 10 minutes Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 20 minutes by International Airport by Tsu Airport Line Boat by Mie Kotsu Bus by JR Limited Express by JR Limited Express by JR Limited Express JR Limited Express (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) (Wide View Nanki) Tsu IC Seiwa-Taki JCT Kii-Nagashima IC Miyama IC Owase-Kita IC Owase-Minami IC Kumano-Odomari IC Shingu City Approx. 10 minutes The access information shown here is as of March 2020. via Prefectural Road Please see it when you travel. Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 30 minutes Approx. 15 minutes Approx. 8 minutes Approx. 10 minutes Approx. 20 minutes Approx. 40 minutes via Ise Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Kisei Expressway via Route 42 via Kumano-Owase Road via Route 42 Higashi-Kishu Promotion Division, Mie Prefecture Mie Prefecture Publisher URL： http://www.kodo.pref.mie.lg.jp/ Mail： [email protected] Published in March 2020 World Heritage There are three sacred sites, namely the“Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano),” “Koyasan” and“Yoshino and Omine,” in the Kii Mountain Range located roughly in the center of Japan, and different types of religion, such as Shinto based on nature worship, Buddhism introduced from China and developed in a unique way in Japan and Shugendo spread as a Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes mixture of Shinto and Buddhism, have been fostered there. In July 2004, the three sacred sites and the pilgrimage routes connecting them as well as their traditional cultures developed in harmony between nature and human beings over time were ﬁnally recognized by UNESCO as shared properties of all humankind and registered on its in the Kii Mountain Range World Heritage List as“Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” Mie Prefecture

Tamaki Town Ise City Taki Town 1 Osaka Prefecture Iseji Route Ise-jingu Shrine Nara Prefecture

Yoshinoyama Kinpusen-ji 2 Yoshimizu-jinja Takihara-no-miya Shrine Yoshino Mikumari-jinja Jison-in Sacred Site Odai Town Taiki Town Kinpu-jinja Niukanshofu-jinja (Yoshino and Omine) Niusakadono-jinja Niutsuhime-jinja Sacred Site (Koyasan) Ominesan-ji 4 3

Kihoku Town Mount Koya Pilgrimage Routes Omine Okugake-michi Kongobu-ji Mizugamine 6 5 Kohechi Route 7 Introduction of “Kumano Kodo” “Kumano Kodo Iseji Route” Obako-toge Pass Owase City the Kumano Kodo as the Paths of Prayer that lead to as the Path to Connect Kumano Kodo Center Iseji Route Kumano Sanzan the Two Major Sacred Sites Miura-toge Pass 8 Kumano Sanzan, which is known as one of the sacred sites in The “Kumano Kodo Iseji Route” is the path to connect Kumano 9 Totsukawa Onsen 11 1 Meki-toge Pass the Kii Mountain Range, consists of three grand shrines of Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano) and Ise-jingu Shrine 12 Kumano, namely “Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine,” “Kumano that is a very special sacred site for Japanese people. As the 2 Misesaka-toge Pass 14 10 Hayatama-taisha Shrine” and “Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine.” old proverb “Seven times to Ise, three times to Kumano” says, Wakayama Prefecture 18 Kumano City 3 Nisaka-toge Pass The origins of those shrines have something to do with nature people in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) generally had a Hatenashi-toge Pass Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine 13 4 Tsuzurato-toge Pass worship respectively, but they came to enshrine the same strong desire to visit them in their lifetime. Maruyama Senmaida Ikkoku-toge Pass, Hirakata-toge Hosshinmon-oji 5 deities called “Kumano Sansho Gongen,” which have been It is said that pilgrims in pilgrimage costume crossed a lot of 15 Pass and Kumagaya-michi widely venerated by the public. steep mountains to get to Kumano to give a prayer to the Nakahechi Route 6 Hajikami-toge Pass Since ancient times, many people have made a pilgrimage to deities enshrined there after they had visited Ise-jingu Shrine. Gyuba-doji 17 16 Takijiri-oji Mihama Town 19 (on page 4) Kumano Sanzan from all over Japan, and the major pilgrimage Today, you can still enjoy the traditional landscapes and feel Takahara Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine 7 Magose-toge Pass Kumano-jinja 20 routes, such as the “Nakahechi Route” from Tanabe to those the rich history and culture of each area along the “Kumano Shichiri-mihama Beach 8 Crossing Mt.Yakiyama Tanabe City Sacred Site Kiho Town shrines (through mountains), the “Ohechi Route” along the coast, Kodo Iseji Route.” Tokei-jinja (Kumano Sanzan) 9 Miki-toge Pass and Hago-toge Pass the “Kohechi Route” connecting Koyasan and those shrines and Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine 10 Sonejirozaka-Tarozaka Slope the “Iseji Route” from Ise-jingu Shrine to those shrines, have Nachi-no-Otaki Falls Shingu City Shirahama Town been gradually formed as a result. The pilgrimage routes Nachi Primeval Forest 11 Nigishima-toge Pass and Okamizaka-toge Pass connecting those shrines and many diﬀerent places are Tonda-zaka Slope 12 Hadasu-no-michi Seiganto-ji generally known as the “Kumano Kodo.” Ago-no-Watashi remains Nachi-Katsuura Fudarakusan-ji Town 13 Obuki-toge Pass Hotoke-zaka Slope Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine 14 Kannon-michi Susami Town Nagai-zaka Slope 15 Matsumoto-toge Pass (on page 5) Ohechi Route Kareki-nada Sea Kushimoto Town 16 Yokogaki-toge Pass Hashikui-iwa 17 Fuden-toge Pass 18 Tori-toge Pass 19 Hamakaido Road ※Note: not all the passes, paths, etc. shown here 20 Kumano River are registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine 2 3 World Heritage There are three sacred sites, namely the“Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano),” “Koyasan” and“Yoshino and Omine,” in the Kii Mountain Range located roughly in the center of Japan, and different types of religion, such as Shinto based on nature worship, Buddhism introduced from China and developed in a unique way in Japan and Shugendo spread as a Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes mixture of Shinto and Buddhism, have been fostered there. In July 2004, the three sacred sites and the pilgrimage routes connecting them as well as their traditional cultures developed in harmony between nature and human beings over time were ﬁnally recognized by UNESCO as shared properties of all humankind and registered on its in the Kii Mountain Range World Heritage List as“Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” Mie Prefecture

Tamaki Town Ise City Taki Town 1 Osaka Prefecture Iseji Route Ise-jingu Shrine Nara Prefecture

Kihoku Town Mount Koya Pilgrimage Routes Omine Okugake-michi Kongobu-ji Mizugamine 6 5 Kohechi Route 7 Introduction of “Kumano Kodo” “Kumano Kodo Iseji Route” Obako-toge Pass Owase City the Kumano Kodo as the Paths of Prayer that lead to as the Path to Connect Kumano Kodo Center Iseji Route Kumano Sanzan the Two Major Sacred Sites Miura-toge Pass 8 Kumano Sanzan, which is known as one of the sacred sites in The “Kumano Kodo Iseji Route” is the path to connect Kumano 9 Totsukawa Onsen 11 1 Meki-toge Pass the Kii Mountain Range, consists of three grand shrines of Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano) and Ise-jingu Shrine 12 Kumano, namely “Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine,” “Kumano that is a very special sacred site for Japanese people. As the 2 Misesaka-toge Pass 14 10 Hayatama-taisha Shrine” and “Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine.” old proverb “Seven times to Ise, three times to Kumano” says, Wakayama Prefecture 18 Kumano City 3 Nisaka-toge Pass The origins of those shrines have something to do with nature people in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) generally had a Hatenashi-toge Pass Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine 13 4 Tsuzurato-toge Pass worship respectively, but they came to enshrine the same strong desire to visit them in their lifetime. Maruyama Senmaida Ikkoku-toge Pass, Hirakata-toge Hosshinmon-oji 5 deities called “Kumano Sansho Gongen,” which have been It is said that pilgrims in pilgrimage costume crossed a lot of 15 Pass and Kumagaya-michi widely venerated by the public. steep mountains to get to Kumano to give a prayer to the Nakahechi Route 6 Hajikami-toge Pass Since ancient times, many people have made a pilgrimage to deities enshrined there after they had visited Ise-jingu Shrine. Gyuba-doji 17 16 Takijiri-oji Mihama Town 19 (on page 4) Kumano Sanzan from all over Japan, and the major pilgrimage Today, you can still enjoy the traditional landscapes and feel Takahara Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine 7 Magose-toge Pass Kumano-jinja 20 routes, such as the “Nakahechi Route” from Tanabe to those the rich history and culture of each area along the “Kumano Shichiri-mihama Beach 8 Crossing Mt.Yakiyama Tanabe City Sacred Site Kiho Town shrines (through mountains), the “Ohechi Route” along the coast, Kodo Iseji Route.” Tokei-jinja (Kumano Sanzan) 9 Miki-toge Pass and Hago-toge Pass the “Kohechi Route” connecting Koyasan and those shrines and Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine 10 Sonejirozaka-Tarozaka Slope the “Iseji Route” from Ise-jingu Shrine to those shrines, have Nachi-no-Otaki Falls Shingu City Shirahama Town been gradually formed as a result. The pilgrimage routes Nachi Primeval Forest 11 Nigishima-toge Pass and Okamizaka-toge Pass connecting those shrines and many diﬀerent places are Tonda-zaka Slope 12 Hadasu-no-michi Seiganto-ji generally known as the “Kumano Kodo.” Ago-no-Watashi remains Nachi-Katsuura Fudarakusan-ji Town 13 Obuki-toge Pass Hotoke-zaka Slope Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine 14 Kannon-michi Susami Town Nagai-zaka Slope 15 Matsumoto-toge Pass (on page 5) Ohechi Route Kareki-nada Sea Kushimoto Town 16 Yokogaki-toge Pass Hashikui-iwa 17 Fuden-toge Pass 18 Tori-toge Pass 19 Hamakaido Road ※Note: not all the passes, paths, etc. shown here 20 Kumano River are registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine 2 3 Stone-paved path on the Magose-toge Pass Shichiri-mihama Beach seen from the arbor 馬越峠松本峠 Magose-toge Pass Matsumoto-toge Pass

Location: Kihoku Town and Owase City, Mie Prefecture Location: Kumano City, Mie Prefecture Walking route: approx. 7 km (approx. 3 hours on foot) The Magose-toge Pass is a very Walking route: approx. 5 km (approx. 2 hours on foot) It is easy even for beginners of popular site on the Iseji Route mountain climbing to cross the since it is relatively easy to cross. Starting point for crossing Matsumoto-toge Pass since it is Uotobikei Ravine Aiga Odomari Station P Home of the Magose-toge Pass Its stone-pavedstone paved path and forest of 311 located at a relatively low altitude. You Tanemaki Gonbei Station hinoki (Japanese cypress) are Kumano Odomari IC can surely enjoy walking along the deﬁnitely worth seeing because Starting point for crossing P the登り口 Matsumoto-toge Pass Odomari Swimming Beach pass with a beautiful stone-paved path they are said to be the most surrounded by bamboo forest. Choshi River beautiful part of the Kumano Kodo. P Camp Washige Roadside P inn Miyama 42 1 (bus stop of origin) Station Miyama Must-See Sites Must-See Sites 1 2 Matsumoto-toge Pass Milestone 2 Kihoku Town (135 m above sea level) Magose-toge Pass Oniga-jo Center P (325 m above sea level) Walking trail B Haiku Monument of Karyoentoitsu Arbor Mt. Binshiyama Kisei Expressway （599m） A B Mt. Tengurasan Sakura Jizo （522m） Owase City A Oniga-jo Magose Park (Area registered on the P Kinan Tour UNESCO World Heritage List) 3 Design Center 42 42 P Stone-paved path Constructed P Jizo of the Matsumoto-toge Pass Owase-Kita IC 1 Yonaki Jizo 2 Stone-paved path Kumanoshi Kumano Sea 1 in the Edo Period 2 According to legend, this statue of Jizo, a Owase Bay “Jizo” is a guardian deity of The path here is paved with Station P This stair-like stone-paved path guardian deity of children, was wrongly Owase children. The statue of Jizo heavy natural stones as if they was constructed back in the Edo P shot by a sharp shooter because he Walking route Parking lot enshrined here is believed to were lying over one another. Period (1603 to 1868), and its Station P Owase Port Kumano Kodo Restroom (toilet) mistook it for a specter. You can still see ((Area registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List) have mystical power to prevent sides are reinforced with well-built Owase City Hall 3 Shishiiwa a scar in the lower left part of the statue. children from crying at night. (listed on the stone walls. Owase Fish Market “Ototo” UNESCO World Heritage List) World Heritage World Heritage Scenic Sites

42 Kumano Great Fireworks Display 4 Hana-no-Iwaya shrine (listed on the Annually held on August 17 UNESCO World Note: this event is postponed to Heritage List) a later date in case of rain or

Shichiri-mihama Beach (Area registered on the high waves. Roadside Station Kumano UNESCO World Heritage List) Mt. Tengurasan Mt. Binshiyama Forest of Owase Hinoki Hana-no-Iwaya A B 3 Magose-fudoson Walking route P Parking lot 3 Shishiiwa 4 Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine (30 minutes from the Magose-toge Pass) (120 minutes from the Magose-toge Pass) (one of the Three Most Beautiful (Otsuna Chaya) P Kumano Kodo Restroom (toilet) The Shishiiwa (literally “Lion Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine is the tomb of Climbing the ladder on the top of the You can fully enjoy fantastic scenery This small temple, which enshrines the Artiﬁcial Forests in Japan) (Area registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List) Rock” ) is a huge uniquely-shaped Izanami-no-Mikoto known as the mountain, you can fully enjoy a from the huge rock that is located on Buddhist deity “Fudo Myo-o” and the The forest of Owase Hinoki (Japanese Arii Station rock with a height of 25 meters. It mother of Japanese deities. It is also panoramic view of Owase City and the the top of the mountain and looks like founder of Shugendo “En-no-Gyoja,” is cypress in Owase) looks magical with a thick bunch of tall dark-green trees looks like a lion roaring at the said to be the oldest Shinto shrine in mountains around. the back of an elephant! situated right by a beautiful waterfall with a height of about 20 meters. and sunlight ﬁltering through their Kumano Sea. Japan. leaves. Scenic Sites Tourist Tourist Sites Sites World Heritage Around Around

Kinan Tour Roadside Station Kumano Camp inn Miyama Owase Fish Market “Ototo” Design Center Hana-no-Iwaya (Otsuna Chaya) Oni-no-Miharashidai A Oniga-jo B Lookout Choshi River and Uotobikei Ravine Camp inn Miyama is a This fish market sells fresh Tourists can take a rest Otsuna Chaya is a shopping and Oniga-jo (literally “Demon’ s Castle” ), camping site situated along fish at reasonable prices! free of charge at this It takes about 35 minutes from the The Choshi River is a river with remarkably clear water. restaurant complex that offers which extends for a distance of about the Choshi River. You can You can see different types center. It also plans courses Hana-no-Iwaya-related products as well Matsumoto-toge Pass to this lookout, enjoy a barbecue, play at of fish from day to day. and tours to provide them 1.2 kilometers along the coast, consists The Uotobikei Ravine, which has a natural stone slide with as delicious local specialties. You can where you can fully enjoy a the riverside and refresh There are also a restaurant with an opportunity to feel of uniquely-shaped rocks created by panoramic view of the Kumano Sea a height of 3 meters, is located upstream of the river. yourself in the middle of and a local product booth in the nature and culture of also visit the Hana-no-Iwaya shrine wave erosion and rapid ground uplift. nature! the market. this area. Museum located on the same site. for refreshment.

4 5 Stone-paved path on the Magose-toge Pass Shichiri-mihama Beach seen from the arbor 馬越峠松本峠 Magose-toge Pass Matsumoto-toge Pass

42 Kumano Great Fireworks Display 4 Hana-no-Iwaya shrine (listed on the Annually held on August 17 UNESCO World Note: this event is postponed to Heritage List) a later date in case of rain or

4 5 Other Must-See Sites on the Attractive Foods to Kumano Kodo Iseji Route Make Your Trip Besides the Magose-toge and Matsumoto-toge Passes, there are also many other recommended sites on the Kumano Kodo Iseji More Enjoyable Route. Please be sure to visit them as well. The area around the Kumano Kodo is f illed with attractiveness thanks to its great nature, delicious foods, traditional craft products, onsen (hot springs), etc.

Bowl of rice topped with fresh Seafood This area is famous for its fishing industry since it is blessed with fertile fishing grounds because of the Kuroshio Current! A wide variety of fish are caught and landed. Rice bowls topped with sliced fresh raw fish come highly recommended. Kumano River and Sandanbo Crossing Mt.Yakiyama Tsuzurato-toge Pass (Course ⑳on page 2) (Course ⑧on page 2) (Course ④on page 2) Owase Wappa The Kumano River has been registered on the It used to be said that Mt.Yakiyama was the “Tsuzurato” means a zigzag course. As This handmade wooden box, which is made of UNESCO World Heritage List as a pilgrimage route hardest place to cross in western Japan. This indicated by the name, the Tsuzurato-toge high-quality Owase Hinoki (Japanese cypress through water. Sandanbo sail elegantly on the river mountain has a lot of steep slopes, but is Pass with a well-preserved stone-paved path in Owase), is a traditional lacquered product before the wind. You can definitely have a very blessed with a beautiful stone-paved path, reinforced with sturdy stone walls has a to represent this area. It is best used as a comfortable time enjoying the magnificent scenery many historic sites and gorgeous scenery. number of consecutive curves. lunch box. around the river. Mandarin Oranges Kumano Chicken In this area, you can enjoy different types Kumano Chickens are of mandarin oranges throughout the raised very carefully in the Multilingual audio guide (English, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and French) year. The oranges grown here taste great nature of Kumano. Information to Support Your Trip Kumano Kodo Center has prepared a multilingual audio guide for use within the center. incredibly sweet because of the mild Their meat is moderately weather and sea breezes of the area. tough and rich in flavor. As a Base for Your Trip Mie Prefecture Kumano Kodo Center Mie Prefecture Kumano Kodo Center provides a lot of useful information to help you learn more about the Kumano Kodo. The building of the center, which was constructed using 6,549 trees of Owase Hinoki (Japanese cypress in Owase), has an air of elegance and dignity and gives visitors a deep impression because of its beautiful grain. It exhibits objects and documents related to the history, nature and culture of the Kumano Kodo Onsen and its surroundings. Besides, it also plays the role of a communication and learning site Onsen (hot springs) can heal your body for visitors to the Kumano Kodo as well as local residents of this area. if you are tired after crossing a pass on foot. You can enjoy different health benefits since the nature of water Address 12-4 Mukai, Owse City, Mie To the Magose-toge Pass differs depending on the onsen resort. Himono(Dried Fish) Mehari Sushi Sanma Sushi(Saury Sushi) Prefecture, 519-3625, Japan Owase Station Contact information 0597-25-2666 Fresh fish are dried to be sold Mehari sushi is a large rice ball Sanma sushi consists of Owase Port as processed food. They rolled in lightly-pickled takana lightly-pressed pieces of sushi Access become richer in taste and leaves. It is generally believed rice topped with saury slices Owase City Culture Hall Approx. 12 minutes from “Owase-Eki (Owase Owase City Hall more non-perishable after they that the origin of its name can pickled with salt. This sushi is Station)” Bus Stop by Fureai Bus for are dried. be traced back to a Japanese very easy to eat because of “Kii-Matsumoto” or approx. 8 minutes from the Thermal power plant word meaning “eye-opening.” its firm-textured and odorless “Owase-Eki-Guchi” bus stop by Mie Kotsu Nanki That means people cannot help saury slices. Mie Prefecture Kumano Kodo Center Expressway Bus for “Kumano Kodo Center” Owase General but open their eyes wide Hospital 42 Note: please get off at “Kumano-Kodo-Center-Mae Osoneura Station because they are very surprised (Kumano Kodo Center)” Bus Stop. by its size and fine flavor. JR Kisei Main Line URL http://www.kumanokod ocenter.com/index.html Roadside Station Kiho Town Sea Turtle Park Located next to Kumano Kodo Center Yume Kodo Owase This park is a major base for educational activities for the protection of endangered sea turtles. You can learn about Yume Kodo Owase is a shopping and restaurant complex with a sea turtles in detail at the museum of the park as well as restaurant serving buffet lunches made by local mothers and a kominka at the sea turtle pools where you can enjoy closeness (traditional house) cafe. Besides, it also has souvenir shop as well as very with real sea turtles. unusual bathing facilities using deep-sea water. Please be sure to visit it to heal your body if you are tired after crossing a pass on foot. Maruyama Senmaida Along the Tori-toge Pass located to the west of the Matsumoto-toge Pass, there are thousands of tanada (rice Kumano Kodo Iseji Navigator Mie Travel Guide terraces) known as “Maruyama Senmaida” on the slope of a You can gain information on the Kumano Kodo Routes as well as Please visit the following website for detailed mountain, which are said to be the most beautiful rice fields in other tourist sites using Google Maps. information on accommodation, etc. Japan. You can see beautifully-shining rice fields throughout URL http://www.kodo.pref.mie.lg.jp/navi/index.html URL http://www.kankomie.or.jp/ the months of May and June where they are filled with water for rice planting. 6 7 Other Must-See Sites on the Attractive Foods to Kumano Kodo Iseji Route Make Your Trip Besides the Magose-toge and Matsumoto-toge Passes, there are also many other recommended sites on the Kumano Kodo Iseji More Enjoyable Route. Please be sure to visit them as well. The area around the Kumano Kodo is f illed with attractiveness thanks to its great nature, delicious foods, traditional craft products, onsen (hot springs), etc.

Kushimoto

Access by Air