After striving to follow Kumano pilgrimage main routes all the way from Kyoto, Osaka or Nagoya, Kumano-Hongu-Taisha Shinto shrine comes earlier than the other two major shrines in Wakayama Prefecture. On the hilltop with many stone steps, a traditional 'Shaden' main building stands as shown in the picture. This building originally stood on a nearby sandbar called 'Ohyunohara', which is formed by three rivers, however it was partially destroyed by a flood in 1889. Soon after that damage, this was relocated to the present site, on the hilltop.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
