PILGRIMAGE ROUTES
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The pilgrimage trails are located in the heart of the Kii Mountains, the cradle of Japanese spirituality. These paths include the Koyasan Choishimichi, the Kumano Kodo and the Omine Okugakemichi. The Kumano Kodo is a complex network of ancient pilgrimage paths, all converging on the Kumano Hongu Taisha, the historic shrine. These paths are grouped into three routes: the Kiiji, the Ohechi and the Kohechi.
The Kiiji route runs along the peninsula's west coast to the town of Tanabe, where it splits in two. The one heading inland from the mountains, the Nakahechi, is the most popular, renowned for its shrines dedicated to the gods of the Kumano Sanzan. It was used by pilgrims coming from Kyōto. The other road, the Ohechi, heads south.
The Ohechi road connects Tanabe to Nachi-Katsuura and is 120 kilometers long. It links some 33 sacred sites, including the Kannon temples, Buddhist temples dedicated to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara of the Shingon sect. Part of this route is by river, on the Kumano-gawa River.
The Kohechi Road links Koyasan to Kumano Sanzan. It is 70 km long, making it the fastest route to both sites. It follows a north-south axis, but proves to be the most difficult to travel, with passes to be climbed at altitudes of over 1,000 meters. The road is characterized by numerous sections paved with stones in the middle of the forest. It is made up of several paths, including the Iseji and Omine Okugake.
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