Guided by the Three-Legged Crow | A Nanki Wakayama Travel Model Course to Enjoy After Learning About the Yatagarasu

What is the Yatagarasu? Starting with the Basics of the "Guiding Bird"

When you search for "Yatagarasu," you'll find it written with different kanji in many places, but both refer to the same being. It's a three-legged bird from Japanese mythology said to have guided Emperor Jimmu and his party to Yamato when they lost their way in the mountains of Kumano.

In Kumano, this bird has long been revered as a messenger of the gods. There are various theories about the meaning of its three legs — heaven, earth, and humankind, among others — but no definitive explanation. For now, it's enough to remember it as a "symbol of guidance."

Around Kumano Hongu Taisha, you'll spot the three-legged figure on banners, votive items, and amulets. Knowing a bit about it before your trip will make the scenery of Nanki look just a little different.

How to Approach a Nanki Tour Centered on the Yatagarasu

Nanki has it all — sea, mountains, and hot springs — and trying to see everything can mean spending the whole day in transit. So the key is to "travel in the order you are guided." By following a single flow from the entrance inward, and from the mountains out to the sea, your route becomes easy to plan whether by car, train, or bus.

Wakayama Nanki Travel Model Course (2 Nights, 3 Days)

Day 1: Warming Up at the Gateways of Tanabe and Shirahama

Start from Kii-Tanabe or Shirahama. Tanabe has shrines deeply connected to the gods of Kumano, making it a fitting entrance for a Kumano pilgrimage. In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk along the Shirahama coast and soak in a hot spring overnight — it will make the next day's journey into the mountains much easier.

Day 2: Deep into the Mountains to Hongu, Meeting the Guiding Bird

Head from Shirahama toward Hongu. At Kumano Hongu Taisha, try looking for the three-legged motif around the shrine buildings. A walk to Oyunohara, the former shrine site, is also a chance to connect with the story of the Yatagarasu. Spend the night in a hot spring town like Yunomine or Kawayu to savor the quiet of the mountain valleys.

Day 3: From Shingu to Nachikatsuura, Out of the Mountains to the Sea

Travel down along the Kumano River to Shingu. After paying respects at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, continue to Nachikatsuura. At Nachisan, enjoy the scenery of the waterfall and shrine-temple complex, and before heading home, sample fresh seafood at the port town — the perfect way to wrap up your trip.

Three Tips to Make the Tour Easier

• Decide your transportation first: If driving, check one-way drop-off options or return routes. If using public transportation, check schedules in advance since services can be infrequent.
• Limit each day to 2–3 destinations: In Nanki, the distances between sights are often greater than they appear.
• Leave room to search for the three-legged bird: It hides quietly on signs, votive items, and banners. Each time you spot one, the joy of your journey grows.

Summary

The Yatagarasu embodies the Kumano faith of "showing the way." With this background in mind, walking a model course through Wakayama's Nanki region — from the entrance deeper inland and then out to the sea — turns the journey into a single unfolding story. For the latest information on opening hours and transportation, please check each official website before you depart.

Image: 熊野本宮大社　八咫烏神事 (via (公社)和歌山県観光連盟)