Kumano Nachi Taisha: Sacred Kumano

After a 30-minute bus ride from Kii-Katsuura Station, you will arrive at the Daimonzaka bus stop. I thought it was quite amazing almost everybody got off here and decided to walk on the Kumano Kodo Trail to the shrine.

It will only take you about an hour and while there are no signs that mark the path, don’t worry, you just need to follow everybody else. 

From here to Kumano Nachi Shrine is 640m or roughly 1.5 miles.  Though it may sound long, the entire trail is completely covered with deep wood, so it is very cool. 

For a long time, the people of Japan believed Kumano to be one of the most sacred places in Japan as it is where one of the principal gods of Japanese mythology, Izanami, is buried. Visiting Kumano was therefore akin to journeying to the Underworld safely.

According to shrine records, Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jinmu founded the shrine originated 2,700 years ago. During his journey to conquer West Japan, Jinmu stumbled upon the sacred Nachi Falls. Impressed by the power and splendor of the falls, the emperor decided to enshrine the god Onamuchi (aka Okuninushi) there.

The main deity of Kumano Nachi Shrine is Kumano Musumi no Kami, who is identified as the Buddhist deity, Senju Kannon, or the Shinto god, Izanami. Just like the other Kumano Sanzan shrines, Kumano Nachi Shrine also enshrines twelve other gods, as well as Onamuchi.

When you’re in Kumano you can’t miss this guy, Yatagarasu.

It’s the sacred crow, Yatagarasu! Next to the honden is Miagatahiko-sha Shrine which enshrines Yatagarasu, who guided Emperor Jinmu to Nara from Kumano!

Kumano Nachi Shrine is not as big as other two shines of the Kumano Sanzan, Kumano Hongu Shrine and Kumano Hayatama Shrine. However, since Nachi Falls is a big attraction on their own, this is probably the most popular of the three. 

So, after visiting the main shrine, make sure to drop by the famous Nachi Falls!!