A Convenient Base for Exploring the Kumano Kodo
Start Your Pilgrimage Journey Here
One of the greatest advantages of Roadside Station Okukumano Kodo Hongu is its convenient location for exploring the Kumano Kodo. Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is only about five minutes away by car, while famous sites along the Nakahechi pilgrimage route, including Hosshinmon-oji and Fushiogami-oji, are also easily accessible.
The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes through the Kii Peninsula. For centuries, people traveled these mountain paths in search of spiritual purification and blessings at the sacred sites of Kumano.
During the height of the Kumano pilgrimage tradition, so many people traveled toward the sacred shrines that their long procession was described as resembling a line of ants. Today, travelers from Japan and around the world continue to walk these historic paths, enjoying the forests, mountains, villages, and spiritual atmosphere along the way.
The roadside station provides useful tourist brochures, road information, local maps, and sightseeing guidance. Visitors walking the Kumano Kodo for the first time can gather information here before setting out, while knowledgeable staff can help travelers learn more about nearby attractions and recommended routes.
A Warm Wooden Building Made with Kumano Cedar
The facility makes extensive use of Kumano cedar, a characteristic local timber from the forests of the Kii Peninsula. Inside, visitors are greeted by the gentle fragrance and warmth of natural wood.
The warm atmosphere of the wooden building blends beautifully with the surrounding mountain landscape. Even spending a short time inside allows visitors to experience the peaceful character of Kumano.
The facility includes a rest area, tourist information corner, local products shop, and dining space, making it a convenient stop during a long drive or a day of sightseeing.
From the terrace and riverside park, visitors can look out over the gentle flow of the Kumano River and toward the distant Hatenashi Mountain Range. It is an ideal place to sit back, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy the scenery.
Enjoy Traditional Kumano Cuisine
Try the Famous Mehari-zushi
Roadside Station Okukumano Kodo Hongu is also a good place to sample traditional food from the Kumano region. One of the most popular local specialties is mehari-zushi.
Mehari-zushi consists of rice balls wrapped in lightly pickled mustard greens. The name is traditionally said to come from the expression meaning “so large that it makes your eyes open wide.”
Simple yet flavorful, this rustic local food has long been associated with travelers and pilgrims in the Kumano region. It is particularly well suited to a journey through the mountains because it is easy to carry and eat.
Popular Local Dishes
Visitors can enjoy mehari-zushi on its own or as part of a meal set with noodles. Popular choices include:
・Mehari-zushi
・Kitsune udon
・Mountain vegetable udon
・Kitsune soba
・Mountain vegetable soba
・Sanma-zushi
Another local specialty is Otonashi Soba, in which locally produced Otonashi tea is blended into the soba noodles. The noodles have a distinctive roasted tea aroma and a flavor that evokes the mountain villages of Kumano.
Roasted Green Tea Soft-Serve Ice Cream
For dessert, try the popular roasted green tea soft-serve ice cream made with Otonashi tea from the Hongu area.
The rich milk flavor combines beautifully with the fragrant, slightly roasted character of the tea. A vanilla-and-tea swirl is also available, making it a refreshing treat during a sightseeing break.
Local Products and Souvenirs
Take a Taste of Kumano Home
The local products shop offers a wide selection of specialties from the Kumano region.
Popular souvenirs include:
・Various types of umeboshi pickled plums
・Shiso juice
・Pickled mustard greens
・Sweets inspired by the Kumano Kodo
・Fresh locally grown vegetables
The shop is operated by JA Mikumano, and fresh produce grown by local farmers is one of its attractions. New products are often brought in during the morning, although popular items may sell out before noon.
Visitors can also find a variety of beans, including black soybeans, white kidney beans, and azuki beans. These products provide an opportunity to discover the everyday food culture of the Kumano countryside.
Surrounded by the Nature of Hongu
The Hongu area lies deep in the mountains of southeastern Wakayama Prefecture. The Hatenashi Mountain Range stretches to the north, while the Otozan Mountain Range lies to the south. The quiet mountain settlements are surrounded by mountains rising to around 400 meters, with the majestic Kumano River flowing through the center of the region.
The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons. In spring, mountain cherry blossoms add delicate color to the forests. Summer brings deep green foliage and the refreshing waters of the river. In autumn, the mountains are covered in brilliant foliage, while winter brings exceptionally clear air and, under the right conditions, beautiful seas of clouds.
In 2004, the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region’s combination of sacred sites, historic pilgrimage routes, and outstanding natural scenery is recognized as having exceptional cultural value.
A Convenient Base for Kumano Hongu Taisha
Approximately five minutes by car from the roadside station is Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the three great shrines of Kumano.
Kumano Hongu Taisha is regarded as the principal shrine of more than 3,000 Kumano shrines throughout Japan. It has attracted worshippers for centuries and remains one of the most important spiritual centers of the Kumano region.
The shrine’s principal deity is Ketsumiko-no-Okami, one of the central figures of Kumano worship.
Nearby, at the site of the shrine’s former location, stands Oyunohara. A magnificent torii gate rises here, creating one of the most recognizable views in the Kumano Hongu area and serving as a powerful symbol of the region.
Easy Access to the Hongu Hot Spring Villages
Roadside Station Okukumano Kodo Hongu is also ideally located for visiting the famous Hongu Onsen villages. After walking the Kumano Kodo, many travelers choose to relax in one of these traditional hot spring areas.
Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest hot spring areas and is famous for Tsuboyu, a small historic hot spring bath that is itself part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Yunomine was traditionally a place where pilgrims performed yugori, a ritual purification in hot spring water before visiting the sacred sites of Kumano.
Kawayu Onsen
Kawayu Onsen is a unique hot spring village where hot water emerges from the ground when visitors dig into the riverbank.
In winter, the famous Sennin-buro, a huge open-air bath created along the river, becomes a popular seasonal attraction.
Wataze Onsen
Wataze Onsen is known for its exceptionally large open-air bath and offers a relaxing way to unwind after exploring the mountains and pilgrimage routes.
All three hot spring areas can be reached within approximately 15 minutes by car, making it easy to combine a day of Kumano Kodo walking with a relaxing soak in a traditional Japanese hot spring.
Historic Sites Along the Kumano Kodo
Hosshinmon-oji
Hosshinmon-oji is one of the important Oji sites along the Kumano Kodo. The word “hosshin” refers to the decision to seek spiritual awakening or enlightenment, giving this location a special significance for pilgrims traveling to Kumano.
Fushiogami-oji
Fushiogami-oji, located near the roadside station, is another important landmark on the Kumano Kodo.
After walking for a long distance along the pilgrimage route, pilgrims arriving here could finally see the former site of Kumano Hongu Taisha at Oyunohara from afar. According to tradition, they were so moved by the sight that they knelt down and prayed. This is said to be the origin of the name Fushiogami, meaning “to bow down and worship.”
The site is also associated with a legend concerning the famous female poet Izumi Shikibu. According to the story, she was considering giving up her pilgrimage because of traditional beliefs concerning ritual impurity. In a dream, the Kumano deity appeared and taught her that Kumano welcomed people regardless of their circumstances.
This story reflects the remarkably inclusive nature of Kumano faith and its longstanding reputation as a place where people from all walks of life could seek spiritual renewal.
Sangen-jaya Teahouse Site
A walk from Fushiogami-oji leads to the remains of Sangen-jaya, a former resting place where pilgrims once gathered during their journey.
This was an important junction where the Nakahechi Route, the Kohechi Route, and the Hatenashi Kaido toward Mount Koya met. Three teahouses once stood here, providing weary pilgrims with food and rest.
Today, sections of the historic stone-paved road and old route markers remain, allowing visitors to imagine what the pilgrimage journey was like centuries ago.
The Hatenashi Mountain Range
The Hatenashi Mountain Range stretches along the border between Wakayama and Nara prefectures. Its name evokes the image of mountains that seem to continue endlessly into the distance.
The range is rich in natural beauty, including native beech forests and rhododendrons, and forms an important part of the dramatic mountain scenery associated with the Kumano Kodo.
Recommended Nature Spots
Nanakoshimine
Nanakoshimine is a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views over the Kumano Hongu area. From the summit, visitors can see the Kumano River, Oyunohara, and its great torii gate.
Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed in spring, seas of clouds sometimes appear in winter, and the clear night sky offers spectacular views of the stars. It is an excellent destination for travelers who want to experience the natural beauty of Hongu from above.
Ukegawa no Otaki
Ukegawa no Otaki is a beautiful waterfall approximately 20 meters high and is considered one of the scenic highlights of Hongu.
The sound of falling water echoes against the surrounding rock walls, creating a mysterious and refreshing atmosphere. Surrounded by lush greenery, the waterfall is a peaceful place to reconnect with nature.
A Gateway to Nature, History, and Spirituality
Roadside Station Okukumano Kodo Hongu is much more than a convenient roadside stop. It is a comprehensive gateway to the history, culture, spirituality, and natural beauty of the Kumano Hongu region.
Visitors can enjoy traditional local food in a warm wooden setting, learn about the history of the Kumano Kodo, purchase regional specialties, and admire the magnificent mountains and river landscapes surrounding the station.
Whether you are planning to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha, walk the Kumano Kodo, explore the historic pilgrimage sites, or relax at the area’s famous hot springs, this roadside station makes an excellent starting point.
Take a moment to slow down, enjoy the flavors of Kumano, and look out over the peaceful mountain landscape. At Roadside Station Okukumano Kodo Hongu, travelers can experience the distinctive spirit of Kumano, where nature, history, faith, and everyday local life continue to come together.