Wakayama: Kumano Kodo Sacred Walk to Nachi’s Sacred Sites

Daimon-zaka is one of the most beautiful sections of the Kumano Kodo, the UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route that links the sacred shrines of the Kumano region. This ancient stone-paved slope, shaded by towering cedar trees, once marked the final approach to Kumano Nachi Taisha and was walked by emperors, monks, and pilgrims for over a thousand years. The path begins near the Furigase Bridge, where the boundary between the secular and sacred worlds was believed to lie, and continues past the famous Meoto-sugi—two giant cedars symbolizing unity and faith. Walking this atmospheric trail offers a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual past, where every step echoes the devotion of those who sought enlightenment in these mountains. Today, Daimon-zaka remains one of the most evocative and accessible ways to experience the living spirit of the Kumano Kodo.

At the summit of Mount Nachi lies Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three great Kumano shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its vivid vermilion halls stand amid ancient forests, symbolizing purification and rebirth. The shrine enshrines Nachi-no-Ōkami, the divine spirit of the great waterfall below, reflecting the Kumano belief in nature as sacred. Visitors can experience a hand purification ritual and learn how faith and the landscape have been intertwined for over a thousand years.

Seiganto-ji Temple stands beside Kumano Nachi Taisha, embodying Japan’s historical harmony between Buddhism and Shintō. Originally founded by a Buddhist monk from India, the temple flourished as part of the Kumano pilgrimage network. Pilgrims would visit both the shrine and the temple, praying for salvation in this world and the next. Its vermilion three-storied pagoda, set before the majestic Nachi Waterfall, remains one of the most iconic scenes in Japan.

With a single drop of 133 meters, Nachi Waterfall is Japan’s tallest and most revered. For over a millennium, it has been worshiped as a living deity representing purification and life’s renewal. At the base stands Hirou Shrine, dedicated to the waterfall’s divine spirit. The sound of rushing water and the mist rising from the basin evoke the deep spirituality of the Kumano faith, inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring harmony between people and nature.