Culture
Kumano Hongu Shrine & Giant Torii
Tomoko KamishimaKumano Hongu Shrine & Giant Torii Gate: One of the three great shrines of Kumano, Hongu Shrine saves ones life in the future.
The Kumano Hongū Taisha is a Shinto shrine in Tanabe, Wakayama, and is located deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. As part of the Kumano Sanzan, it has been included in the World Heritage Site" "Holy Places and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains" ". The main deity worshiped there is Kumano Gongen.
The shrine is especially famous for the world's largest torii which marks its entrance. The torii is called otorii, where the O stands for the Japanese word “uppercase”. It has been made of steel since its reconstruction in 2000 and weighs 172 tons.
It took 6 months to manufacture and it took 6 more months to fully assemble it in its now familiar location.
Throughout the year, the Hongo Taisha hosts numerous festivals and some of them even have the torii illuminated. The most famous are the New Year Festival, the Spring Festival and the Yata-no-hi Fire Festival.
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This 34-metre high Otorii gate marks the entrance to the original Kumano Hongu Taisha location at Oyunohara.
If not trekking via the Kumano Kodo route, this shrine can be reached by a 1.5-2 hr bus ride from Shingu, Kii-Tanabe or Shirahama Stations. 'Hongu-Taisha-mae' is the closest stop, but if you alight at Hosshinmon Oji you can build in a two-hour hike into your visit too.
Kumano Hongu Shrine & Giant Torii Gate: One of the three great shrines of Kumano, Hongu Shrine saves ones life in the future.
The grand shrine for over 3000 Kumano shrines around Japan, Kumano Hongu Taisha is truly dignified and beautiful.
Standing 33.9 meters tall and 42 meters wide, the Hongu Oyunohara Torii Gate, also known at 'Otorii' (O means “big”) weighs 172 tons and is the biggest in the world. It is also beautiful.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine in Kumano region of Wakayama Prefecture was considered a power spot in ancient times, and combines both Shinto and Buddhist shrines.
Festivals to honor the Kumano Deities and the tradition of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage are an inherent part of the annual calendar in Kumano, Wakayama Prefecture
Yamabushi perform a fire ceremony at the Kumano Hongu Taisha Spring Festival in April each year
The spring festival at the Hongu Taisha from April 13th to 15th each year gets absolutely everyone in Hongu Town to participate to keep traditions alive.
The Kumano Taisha are dedicated to nature worship, with the splendour of their shrines made more compelling thanks to the beautiful natural wonders of Wakayama's Kii Peninsula.
Across the road from the Hongu Grand Shrine, the modern B & B Café Hongu is a convenient choice for anyone who wants to stay overnight in this area.
Kumano Backpackers is a guesthouse located in Hongu, next to the Kumano Hongu Taisha World Heritage Site and easily accessible from the Hongu bus stop.
Kumano Deai-no-sato is an egg farm located in Kumano, Wakayama. Here, visitors can purchase fresh eggs and have a cup of coffe on a terrace overlooking the Kumano River.
Hongu is a city in Wakayama Prefecture that is famous for its World Heritage Sites: the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and the Kumano River.
The Kumano Hongu Heritage Center is an information center about the Kumano pilgrimage routes.
Kumano's rivers, because of their clear and calm waters, are a perfect spot for water sports; for instance, kayaking.