Inside the Kumano Hongu Taisha

Passing Through the Great Torii at Dawn

If you're planning to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha, we highly recommend going in the early morning hours. Standing on the approach path while few other visitors are around, all you can hear is the sound of wind passing through the tops of the cedar trees and the distant chirping of birds. The atmosphere is completely different from the daytime bustle—pure and tranquil.

Climbing the 158 Stone Steps

The approach features 158 stone steps. As you slowly climb one step at a time, the commanding presence of the towering cedar trees lining both sides naturally makes you stand a little taller. Catching your breath and looking up at the sunlight filtering through the branches, you'll find a scene truly worthy of being called a "sacred place."

Cypress-Bark Shrines and the Yatagarasu

At the top of the steps, an imposing group of shrine buildings roofed with cypress bark comes into view. Symbols of the Yatagarasu—the three-legged crow said to be the messenger of the Kumano deities—can be seen throughout the grounds, evoking the depth of ancient faith. When you finish your prayers and look back, the precincts bathed in morning light feel like another world entirely.

Extend Your Visit to Oyunohara

After your visit, head to Oyunohara, where the Hongu Taisha once stood. The great torii rising beyond the rice fields—the largest in Japan—is nothing short of spectacular. Be sure to experience this special time woven together by Kumano's history and nature.

Image: Inside the Kumano Hongu Taisha / Photo: Tim Notari from Tanabe-Shi Wakayama-Ken, Japan / CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)