The world heritage “Onigajo”

 About a 5-minute drive from Kumanoshi Station

“Onigajo”, a world heritage, is national natural monument and place of unparalleled scenic beauty. Onigajo is an oddly shaped rock formation created by a combination of rapid ground uplift, wind, and coastal erosion. Spanning 1.2km, it has a myriad of large and small caves and gives one a feeling of the ever-changing. Onigajo has been featured on “Japan’s Top 100 Sceneries” and “Japan’s New Top 100 Travel Destinations”. An Onigajo legend states that during the Heian period Shogun Sakanoueno Tamuramaro subjugated pirate Tagamaru, who was feared as a demon, to make Onigajo into a stronghold. It was originally called "Oni no Iwaya" or Demon Cave. However, during the Muromachi period, Feudal Lord Arima Tadachika built a castle for his retirement on the mountain above Oni no Iwaya. It was given the name Onigajo, or Demon Castle, and that name has been used ever since. In the spring, one can enjoy cherry blossoms from the path “cherry road” connecting the mountain summit where the castle once stood to Onigajo.
■ Parking:
 First parking lot (In front of Onigajo center):
70 parking spaces and 2 handicap spaces available
Accommodates 10 large busses
Second parking lot (In front of hotel Nami):
Accommodates 18 large buses (If the first parking lot is full)
■ Restroom including handicapped restroom available

World heritage “Shishiiwa”

 About 5 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Shishiiwa, like Onigajo, is a rock formation resembling a lion's head created by ground uplift and coastal erosion. It stands 25m high and 210m around.
A shrine in Ido-cho called Ooma Shrine has a special connection to Shishiiwa. Komainu are lion-dog statues that are often seen guarding the front of a shrine. The Komainu statues consist of “ah”, an open mouthed statue and “un”, a closed mouth statue. Shishiiwa represents the former, “un” and another large rock next to Shishiiwa, called “Shinsendo” represents the latter “ah”. For this reason, the guardian lion-dog statues are not seen in front of Ooma shrine.
For about one month every year starting in mid-May one may see the lion rock holding the sun in its mouth as it rises in the early morning. Similarly, in November and December, one can catch a glimpse of the lion rock holding the full moon in its mouth in the evening. Shishiiwa offers photographers the perfect view of the Kumano Fireworks Display held on August 17th every year.
[Trivia] After "Onigajo" had been designated as a national natural monument in 1935, “Shishiiwa” was additionally specified as scenic beauty and natural monument in 1958.

World Heritage Hana no Iwaya
About 5 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 16-20
Restroom: Yes
Written record of Hana no Iwaya Shrine
 first appeared in Nihon Shoki. Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), written in 720CE during the Nara period, is one of the first history books written in Japan. Hana no Iwaya is the oldest shrine to be be recorded in Japanese mythology. The enshrined deities include Izanami no Mikoto, the goddess who birthed Japan, and her son, a fire deity, named Kagatsuchi no Mikoto. What makes this shrine unique is that the object of worship is a large rock standing 45m high. It is an ancient relic that was worshipped long before Kumano Sanzan or Ise Jingu were established. The name Hana no Iwaya is said to be derived from a God of seasonal flowers enshrined there. It is surmised that since long ago an unusual flower festival (The festival for Buddha’s birthday) was held there. As written in Nihon Shoki, many people visit the shrine during a festival held twice a year on February 2nd and October 2nd. According to historical records from the Kii region written during the late Edo period, once a special brocade banner, known as the Nishiki no Mihata, was presented by the court during the biannual festival. As a result, a year later the Kumano River ceased to flood. It is said that instead of the banner, locals weave a rope made of straw from the rice harvest and hang it from the 45m high rock. It is adorned with a banner called the Minagare no hata.

Ubuta Shrine (Ubuta Jinja)
Access: About 10 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 10
Restroom: Yes
Ubuta Shrine is regarded as the birthplace of the fire god and and home to many gods. Since Izanami no Mikoto is the mother of all gods, Ubuta Jinja has been revered since old times as shrine which bestowed the gift of children and a safe and easy childbirth. Belief in gods began as early as the Yayoi period (300BCE-300CE) from knowledge of rice cultivation imparted on the people of Japan. Archeological excavations discovered pottery from the Yayoi period. In those times, shrines weren’t located in buildings as they are now but existed as natural space, containing an enshrined stone or gem cordoned off by rope. This type of primitive shrine is referred to as “Himorogi” and was created in hopes of inviting gods to the sacred space. There are only two of these ancient  and rare shrines left in Japan.
Just outside the “toori” or gate to the shrine is a pillar which reads “The origin of Sanma Sushi”. Sanma or Pacific saury is fish common to Kumano. Known as the feast, participants received offerings of sake and food at the end of a Shinto ritual. One such offering proffered during  the feast was Sanma sushi. Thus the title of “the origin of Sanma sushi” was given.

Shichirimihama World Heritage
“Shichirimihama”, stretching for 22km from Kiho-cho to Kumano, is the longest pebble coast in Japan. It is a world heritage known as “Beach Road”. It has been featured in many top one hundred lists such as Japan’s best shorelines, Japan’s top natural sites remaining in the 21st century, Japan’s best white sand and green pine beaches, Japan’s top 100 famous pine trees. In the past, many people walked the Beach Road as religious pilgrims seeking to complete the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The Beach Road served many as a path to confirm their faith, leading to the name, the Pilgrimage Road. Various types of stones can be seen along the coast deposited there via the Kumano River. During the spring and summer, Loggerhead turtles have been known to land along the beach.

Maruyama Senmaida (One Thousand Rice Paddies)
Access: About 30 minutes by car or bus from JR Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 5
Restroom: Yes
Selected as one of Japan’s top 100 terraced rice fields, Maruyama Senmaida is one of the Japan’s leading terraced rice fields boasting 1,340 paddies. It is documented that about 400 years ago there were 2,240 rice paddies. During the beginning of the Heisei period (1989-), due to the lack of a successor, the number of paddies were reduced to 530. In 1994, with the enactment of the “Maruyama Sendai Ordinance” and with the cooperation of local residents, restoration of the rice paddies went underway. Now a total of 1,340 rice paddies are preserved. A new system of ownership has also been implemented. In the new system, over 100 owners are registered every year. Together they work to preserve and farm the rice paddies. The following year new owners will be registered. Throughout the year local residents come together to preserve important cultural practices by planting and harvesting the rice.
[Terraced Rice Fields Ownership System]
Annual Membership fee: 30,000yen (to be renewed yearly)
Kumano Hometown Development Corporation

Tategasaki
Tategasaki is a great rocky cliff which juts from the water at a height of 70m and with a circumference of 600m. Tategasaki is characterized by a great number pillars, called joints, rising up at all lengths. This geological structure is referred to as columnar jointing. Various plants and other oddly shaped rocks can be seen around Tategasaki. Tategasaki is designated as a special nature preserve, part of the Kumano-Yoshino National Park. It has been recorded in Nihon Shoki (The Oldest Chronicles of Japanese History) that during an eastern expedition, Emperor Jimmu landed at nearby Arasaka Port. Tategasaki can be viewed from Senjojiki, literally a thousand tatami mats. A monument was once constructed on Senjojiki but was washed away in the Ise Typhoon.
Behind Tategasaki, rising at a height of 170m is a rocky crag known as Umikongou. Umikongou in all it’s splendor can only be viewed from a from the ocean on a ship. Towering over 100m higher than Tategasaki, Umikongou has been praised for its beauty and secluded nature. Please feel free to enjoy to your heart's content this sculpture created by Mother Nature.
Those wishing to take the sightseeing boat, please see the link.

Joufuku Shrine (Joufuku no Miya)
Access: About 20 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 3
Restroom: None
2200 years ago, The Qin Emperor sought to obtain an elixir that would grant him eternal youth. He entrusted Xu Fu with the task of finding the elixir. Xu Fu set sail heading east with a fleet of several dozen boats. Partway through their journey, the fleet encountered a typhoon and only Xu Fu’s ship made it to shore. Abandoning plans of returning home, Xu Fu decided to set up permanent residence. Before long he was able to obtain a kiln and started teaching pottery. It is said that the place where the kiln was built called the kiln estate remains. He helped spread Chinese civilization across Japan bringing with him knowledge of civil engineering, agriculture, whaling and medicine. Xu Fu was worshipped as a god and enshrined here.
In Hadasu, a shrine was built in dedication to Xu Fu where many items of his remain. It was named after Xu Fu using the Japanese pronunciation, Joufuku. On the grounds of Joufuku Shrine lies Xu Fu’s grave. Xu Fu had searched for the elixir near where the shrine now stands. During repairs to the road leading to the shrine, many old coins were discovered. In 2002, a scholar from China came to authentic the coins and determined that they were Banliang currency, dated back to the Qin dynasty. Finding Banliang currency within Japan is a rare and valuable discovery.

Dorokyo Gorge and Dorohatcho Gorge (Dorokyo・Dorohatcho)
Access: About 30 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 30 ~ 40
Restroom: None
"Dorokyo" Gorge is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument and is located in the Kumanogawa tributaries in the Kitayama River. The gorge is situated in Kitayama, Wakayama Prefecture and boarders Mie and Nara Prefectures. Rock cliffs rise from the river's surface spanning the gorge. Starting downstream the gorge is divided into three sections, “Shimodoro” (Lower Gorge), “Kamidoro” (Upper gorge) and “Okutoro” (Inner Gorge). The Shimodoro is often referred to as “Dorohatcho”. One can visit the Dorokyo Gorge and ride the waterjet boat. The boat is accessible from Kogawaguchi in Kiwa town. One can enjoy such sights as the sheer precipices of the Lower Gorge, oddly shaped rocks, and waterfalls of the Kii Pennisula’s greatest ravine. In May, Azaleas bloom in the rocky crags. In the fall, autumn leaves turn the gorge into a sea of color. Come experience the rich landscape of the four seasons at Dorokyo Gorge.
Nearby accommodation: Hotel Seiryuusou     Telephone: 0597-97-1180
Kumano Transportation Co., Ltd.    Telephone 0735-22-6220

Akagi Castle Ruins (Akagijouato)
Access: About 40 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 11-15
Restroom: Yes
In the Tenshou period, around the year 1588, in order to quell an insurrection from Kitayama, Toyotomi Hidenaga’s vassal Todo Takatora fortified the castle at Akagi. The remains of Agaki Castle left from the Tenshou period remain in good condition. The remains of the fortress provide us with an archetype of early modern castles. Todo Takatora  was a leading figure in both the Toyotomi and Tokugawa regimes and was regarded as an expert in castle construction and fortification. Akagi Castle is the direct results of his expertise. Akagi Castle was built using various construction methods including “Nozuraransouzumi”, a method of randomly stacking small and large rocks, “Sangizumi”, interlocking slabs of rock to create a rectangular pillar, “Shukaku”, building the main enclosure on a raised area with four corners, and “Yokoyagakari”. This method involves extending areas of the castle walls where archers shoot to protect them from enemy fire. Agaki Castle was also built without a “Sori”, or curvature, to the walls.
The original fortifications of the castle still remain. Such intact remains in Japan are few and so are very valuable. Starting in 1992 and continuing for the next 13 years, the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs together with the aid of Mie Prefecture conducted the "Akagi Castle Ruins Preservation Project". The project was conducted in order to examine, maintain and preserve the ruins. In 2004, the project was concluded. During excavations of the site, a Tenmoku teacup, Hajiki pot, whetstone and metal spike were discovered. Now the site of Akagi Castle ruins is cherished by the locals as a historical park. In the main enclosure, many sakura trees are planted at the top. In the spring, Akagi Castle ruins are an ideal cherry blossom viewing spot.

Onigura
Access: About 50 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: 10
Restroom: None
Onigura, a Mie Prefecture designated cultural treasure, is a large cliff that extends 300m high and 500m wide. The “ni” in Onigura which means red comes from reddish hue in the rock. This reddish hue is due to iron in the rock which has oxidized. Since long ago, Onigura has been a sacred site for mountain ascetics to carry out their penance. From the bottom looking up at Onigura, you can sense it’s scale and magnitude. You can also climb a relatively simple forest path to the summit. Looking down from the summit you will involuntarily pull yourself back because the sheer height of Onigura.

Nunobiki Falls (Nunobiki no Taki)
Access: 60 minutes by car from Kumanoshi Station
Parking spaces: None
Restroom: Yes
One of Japan’s top one hundred waterfalls, "Nunobiki Waterfall" was formed over many years as layers of granite bedrock were worn away. The waterfall consists of four steps, the first is 12m, the second is 3.5m, the third is 7.7m, and the fourth has a drop of 29.1m. The name “Nunobiki”, or stretching of cloth, originates from the way the water flows without any sound or splash as it stretches across a wide breadth. In order to conserve the rich nature of Kumano, “The Kumano City Kirazu Forest Ordinance” was enacted to ensure that unlimited deforestation would not be allowed. The region around Nunobiki Falls, Kirazu Forest, will continue to be protected because of its abundant natural beauty. In the fall, one can witness the beauty of the changing leaves.
Other waterfalls in the area include Hatcho Otaki, Kakure Taki, Matsuyama Taki, and Arataki. One can tour and enjoy the many waterfalls in the area.

Atashika Beach
Access: About a 10 minute walk from JR Atashika Station
Parking spaces: 30~40 (Paid parking during the summer)
Restroom: Yes
 
Come see the white sand beach and the transparent blue waters of Atashika beach. Every summer roughly 30,000 bathers come to visit the waters. During Golden Week (early May) many come to camp at the campground near the beach. In recent years, it has been possible to enjoy the outdoors through various marine sports such as sea kayaking.
■ Parking: 100 spaces (paid)
■ Access by train: About  a 5 minute walk from JR Atashika Station
■ Access by car: Take the 42 from Kumanoshi Station towards Odomari. At Odomari, get on the Kumano Owase Highway and get off at Atashika. It’s about a three minute drive from Atashika IC to the beach.

Odomari Beach
Access: About a 5 minute walk from from JR Odomari Station
Parking: 20~30 spaces
Restroom: Available
Many local children love coming to this beach since it’s conveniently located. Nearby, is the World Heritage Onigajo and Matsumoto Trail. The nearby Matsuzaki port is the return point for the Tategasaki sightseeing excursion. There is more than just swimming to enjoy at Odomari beach.
*However, camping is not allowed at Odomari beach.
Parking spaces: 30 (paid)