Walking the Kumano Kodo's Daimon-zaka | A Prayer Path to Nachi Lined with Mossy Stone Steps and Cedar Groves

To the Gateway of the Kumano Kodo: Daimon-zaka

Located in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Daimon-zaka is a stone-paved slope that forms the final section of the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.' This path, which leads to Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls, stretches for about 600 meters. Despite its short length, it is popular as a section where you can fully experience the atmosphere so characteristic of the Kumano Kodo.

A short walk from the parking area brings you to the vermilion-lacquered Furigase Bridge. This bridge is said to mark the boundary between the secular world and the sacred realm, and the moment you cross it, you'll feel as if the air suddenly becomes clearer.

The Mystical Entrance Guarded by the Meoto-sugi

At the entrance to the slope stand the Meoto-sugi (Husband and Wife Cedars), said to be over 800 years old. Two towering trees so tall they'll leave your neck sore from gazing up, standing side by side as if leaning on one another—the sight is truly awe-inspiring. From here on, the sense of stepping into the sacred realm of Kumano only grows stronger.

A Pilgrimage Path of Mossy Stone Steps and Cedar Groves

The true charm of Daimon-zaka lies in the contrast between the moss-covered stone steps and the cedar groves that seem to pierce the sky. With every step forward, the only sounds you'll hear are your own footfalls on the stones and the whisper of wind slipping between the trees.

On sunny days, dappled sunlight filters onto the stones; after rain, the moss glows with vibrant life; and on misty mornings, an ethereal world unfolds. The same path shows entirely different faces depending on the season and the weather—this is the profound depth of the Kumano Kodo.

Feel Like a True Kumano Pilgrim in Heian-Era Costume

Nearby, there are also facilities where you can rent Heian-period costumes, and you'll often see visitors walking the path dressed as pilgrims of old. A photo set against the stone path and cedar trees turns out looking just like a scene from an ancient picture scroll.

Beyond Daimon-zaka

Once you climb to the top of the slope, the view opens up, and from there the path continues on to Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji Temple, and Nachi Falls—the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan. The scenery of Nachi, reached only after climbing the stone path on your own two feet, will move you in a way that arriving by car simply cannot.

Tips for Walking the Path

• The stone steps can be slippery on rainy days or when covered with fallen leaves, so well-worn sneakers or trekking shoes are recommended
• Bring insect repellent in summer, and dress warmly in winter
• Early mornings are less crowded, offering an even more tranquil atmosphere

For over a thousand years, everyone from retired emperors to common folk has walked this prayer path in pursuit of the 'Kumano Pilgrimage.' Even in its short length, Daimon-zaka lets you touch the very essence of the Kumano Kodo—a special route we especially recommend for those visiting Kumano for the first time.

Image: Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route Daimon-zaka World heritage 熊野古道 大門坂10 / Photo: Nekosuki / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)