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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.

◇Welcome bear campaign underway◇
We are currently running a "Welcome Bear Campaign" for customers visiting KumanoCity, where you can stay at a great value!
(until December 31, 2020)
If you meet the payment conditions and stay in KumanoCity during the period, you will receive a "Rainbow Gift Certificate" that can be used when shopping in the city at the Tourist Information Center in front of the station (KumanoCity Tourism Organization).
Click here for details on gift certificate payment conditions, etc. KumanoCity Tourism Organization HP

First, go to the KumanoCity KumanoCity Tourist Information Center (KumanoCity Tourism Organization) located in front of Kumano City Station on the JR Kisei Main Line.
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).
Immediately, present the receipt from the hotel you stayed at yesterday and your ID to receive a ``Rainbow Gift Certificate'' which is a benefit of the ` `Welcome Bear Campaign''.
Please note that gift certificates can only be delivered at this counter. In addition, there are various conditions to be eligible for the benefits, so be sure to check them in advance.

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!

The KumanoCity Tourist Information Center also accepts applications for rental cars and bicycles.
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!
name

KumanoCity Tourist Information Center

address
654-1 KumanoCity Kumano 519-4324
telephone number

0597-89-2229

Fee

free

business hours

9:00~18:00

holiday

December 29th - January 3rd

parking

Nearby

Access by public transportation

1 minute walk from JR KumanoCity

Access by car

10 minutes from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC

The first place we headed was Matsumoto Pass.
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.

A 170cm tall Jizo towering near the mountain pass. Although it has a gentle appearance, it is said that about 300 years ago, on the day it was erected, its life-sized figure was mistaken for a monster and was shot with a gun.
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.

If you turn from the main road of the pass to a side road and walk for about 10 minutes, you will arrive at ``Matsumoto Pass Azumaya.''
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.
name

Matsumoto Pass/ Hana-no-Iwaya (Kumano Kodo Iseji Route)

telephone number

0597-89-6172

parking

・Several cars near the entrance on the Odomari side

Access by public transportation

[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

Access by car

- Immediately by car south from Owase-Kumano Road "Kumano Odomari IC"

The next place I visited was Onigajo. Not only is it registered as a World Heritage Site, but it is also designated as a national natural monument and place of scenic beauty.
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.

The main attraction is ``Senjojiki''. As the name suggests, it is spacious and large. The terrace, which is divided into upper and lower terraces, is about 1,500 square meters in area, and the rock towering like a canopy is about 15 meters high.
You can directly feel the bottomless power of Mother Nature that created this overwhelming landscape.
name

Onigajo (KumanoCity)

address
Kimotocho, Kumano KumanoCity 519-4323
telephone number

0597-89-4111

Official URL
parking

Yes 72 units
10 large buses
18 large buses (Onigajo Center 2nd parking lot)

Access by public transportation

・About 5 minutes by bus bound for Omata Okubo from KumanoCity Station on the JR Kisei Main Line, and get off at Onigajo Higashiguchi.

Access by car

・Approximately 1 minute drive south from Kumano Owase Road "Kumano Odomari IC"

After the tour, head to the adjacent Onigajo Center.
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.

Onigajo Center is a participating store that accepts rainbow gift certificates for the Welcome Bear Campaign, so I decided to buy some souvenirs here.
Onigajo Center sells all kinds of souvenirs such as food, T-shirts, alcohol, and keychains, so I decided to buy some souvenirs here.
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...
name

Onigajo Center

address
1835-7 KumanoCity Kumano 519-4323
telephone number

0597-89-1502

business hours

9:00~17:00

holiday

Open all year round

Access by car

Kumano Oodomari IC exit R42 towards Shingu

Shichirimihama is approximately 22km long from KumanoCity to KihoTown. It is known as the longest gravel beach in Japan. It has been selected as ``Japan's Top 100 Beaches'', ``Japan's Top 100 White and Blue Pines'', ``Japan's Top 100 Nature Desired to Preserve in the 21st Century'', and ``Japan's Top 100 Famous Pines'', and is a beautiful coastline that draws a gentle arc. It is characterized by It has also been registered as a World Heritage Site since the Edo period, as it served as a path of faith as the Hamakaido Road, which pilgrims walked to visit the Kumano Sanzan.

The huge waves of Shichirimihama come right in front of you, making a sound like the rumbling of the earth. It gives you a sense of roughness that will make you take a step back. No wonder swimming is prohibited in this area.
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.

The pebbles on the beach were transported from the upper reaches of the Kumano River to the Pacific Ocean and washed up on Shichirimihama Beach.
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.''
name

ShichiriMihamaBeach

address
KumanoCity-KihoTown
telephone number

0597-89-0100

Access by public transportation

5 minutes walk from JR KumanoCity Station

Access by car

Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC - National Route 42
(About 5 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC)

"Shishiiwa" is registered as a World Heritage Site along with Onigajo. The height is approximately 25m and the circumference is 210m. It got its name from the appearance of a giant lion roaring towards the Kumano Sea.
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.

Every year from mid-May to early morning for about a month, the rising sun shines into the lion's mouth, creating a mysterious scene that makes it appear as if the lion is being held in its mouth. You can also see them holding the full moon in their mouths from November to December.
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.
name

Shishiiwa

address
〒519-4324 KumanoCity Idocho
telephone number

0597-89-4111

Fee

free

holiday

Open all year round

parking

can be

Access by public transportation

Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Kisei Main Line "KumanoCity Station"

Access by car

About 3 minutes by car from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC along National Route 42 Shichirimihama toward Shingu.

`` Michi-no-eki Kumano Hana-no-Iwaya (Otsuna Chaya)'' is located in front of Hananoiwaya-jinjaShrine.
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.

"Otsuna Chaya Set" (550 yen/tax included) is a lunch menu that is available until 2:00 pm.
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.
name

Michi-no-eki Kumano/ Hana-no-Iwaya “Otsuna Chaya”

address
137 KumanoCity 519-4325
telephone number

0597-88-1011

business hours

10:00~17:00

holiday

Open all year round

parking

13 regular cars, 2 buses

Access by public transportation

2 minute bus ride from JR KumanoCity Station to Shingu Station and get off at "Hana-no-Iwaya"

Access by car

Approximately 10 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC

Hana-no-Iwaya Iwaya Shrine is said to be the oldest shrine in Japan and is registered as a World Heritage Site. It is recorded in the Nihon Shoki as the burial place of the female deity Izanami no Mikoto and the fire god Kagutsuchinomikoto. The object of worship is a gigantic rock measuring 45 meters in height, and it still represents the ancient nature worship of Iwakura worship. Perhaps because it is known as the ``Land of Yomi Gaeri'' and is also a famous power spot, I felt as if a mysterious power was flowing from it.
name

Hananoiwaya-jinjaShrine

address
Arima-cho, KumanoCity
telephone number

0597-89-0100

parking

can be

Access by public transportation

4 minutes by bus from JR KumanoCity Station to Shingu Station and get off at "Hana-no-Iwaya"

Access by car

Approximately 10 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC

I returned the rental bicycle to the tourism corporation and headed to Miharashi-tei, my accommodation for the day.
In addition to being easily accessible as it is a 5-minute walk from JR KumanoCity Station, it is also a participating facility in the "Welcome Bear Campaign." The best part is that you can choose between a Western-style room or a Japanese-style room to suit your tastes and goals. Additionally, you can use the washing machine, dryer, and internet-enabled computer for free.
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.

``Since I came all the way to Kumano...'', I ordered the ``Upgraded Dinner'' (1,100 yen per person added to the accommodation fee), which was more luxurious than usual.
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.
name

Business Hotel Miharashitei

address
555-4 Matsubara, Idomachi KumanoCity
telephone number

0597-89-1211

parking

can be

Access by public transportation

3 minutes walk from JR KumanoCity Station

Access by car

Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Kisei Expressway Kisei ouchiyama IC

◆Welcome bear campaign
Currently, the "Welcome Bear Campaign" is being held (until December 31, 2020), where customers visiting KumanoCity can stay at a reasonable price. If you meet the payment conditions and stay in KumanoCity during the period, you will receive a "Rainbow Gift Certificate" that can be used when shopping in the city at the Tourist Information Center in front of the station (KumanoCity Tourism Organization). Please use all means.
【period】
September 7, 2020 - December 31, 2020
[Gift certificate payment conditions]
If you made a reservation for accommodation through the KumanoCity Tourism Organization or directly at a facility that is a member of the accommodation association.
More than 2 people per group must stay.
* Reservations made through travel agencies or OTAs such as Rakuten and Jalan are not eligible.
*Accommodations for sporting events involving KumanoCity are not eligible.
[About gift certificates]
・Benefits can be received in order of reservation (x order of stay date)
・Gift certificates will be issued at the counter of the station tourist information center (Tourism Corporation)
- Consider the gift certificate amount after discounts using GoTo campaigns, etc.

Click here for details KumanoCity Tourism Organization HP
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