If you want to visit the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site, in Kansai, we recommend Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, where you can enjoy the famous Kumano Three Mountains ancient shrine, a light boat tour of the Kumano River, and popular Japanese sweets in the shape of local eel rice and bells. If you like to take pictures and want to get in touch with Japanese culture and natural spots, you should definitely visit!
World Heritage "Kumano Atama Taisha Shrine"
Why is "Kumano Kodo" and "Shingu City" in Wakayama Prefecture recommended, and how do I get there?
Explore the World Heritage Sites "Kumano Kodo" and "Kumano Three Mountains" to explore Japanese culture
There are many places in Japan that still have a history of time, and the Kumano Kodo area is one of them. This ancient pilgrimage road stretches across Yoshino Ward in Nara Prefecture, Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, and southern Mie Prefecture (also known as Higashi Kishu), and is the general name for the approach to the three ancient shrines of Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine, and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004 under the name "Sacred Ground and Pilgrimage Road in the Kii Mountain Range".
Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine, one of the three mountains of Kumano
One of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, the Konontori Etsu Road
If you want to experience the mystery of the Kumano Kodo and the Kumano Three Mountains at once, Shingu City is definitely the first choice, because Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine, one of the three mountains of Kumano, is located in the city, and there are many pilgrimage trails of different styles and levels of difficulty to choose from, and it is also a spot where you can feel the atmosphere of the mountains, the sea, and the river at once.
How do I get to Shingu City?
| Depart from Osaka | From Shin-Osaka/Osaka Station, take the Limited Express train on the JR Kisei Main Line for about 4 hours and 15 minutes |
| Depart from Nagoya | Take the limited express Nanki train on the JR Kisei Main Line and the journey takes about 3 hours and 18 minutes |
| Depart from Tokyo | From Haneda Airport to Minamiki-Shirahama Airport: About 1 hour and 10 minutes. Then take a bus to JR Shirahama Station, then take the JR Kisei Main Line Limited Express (1 hour 56 minutes) / 2 hours and 20 minutes by limousine bus from Nanki Shirahama Airport |
How to move around Shingu City?
Electric bicycles can be rented at the Shingu City Tourism Association across the street from the station
If you want to explore Shingu City, we recommend taking advantage of the bicycle rental service of the Shingu City Tourism Association, which is located directly across from Shingu Station. Even the latest e-bikes are cost-effective: 1,500 yen for 3 hours or 3,000 yen for a day, and the bike has a variable speed function for easy climbing, and a rental helmet comes with no additional cost. If you want to use a better price, you can rent an off-road bike for 1,500 yen for a whole day, so it's recommended to go here at the first stop when you arrive in Shingu City!
Xin宫市観光协会
・Address: 2-1-11 Seofuku, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m
- Access: About a 1-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
Shingu City Theme Spot Recommendation: Kumano Kodo where you can enjoy the atmosphere of mountains, sea, and rivers
Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo is a 1,000-year-old World Heritage Site that allows you to go deep into nature and pursue a journey of tranquility and tranquility, and can be divided into six routes: the Ise Road, which runs from Ise Jingu to the three mountains of Kumano, the Nakabeji Road, which branches eastward from Tanabe City, the Omine Okukumari Trail, which connects Yoshino, Kumano, and Kumano Sanzan, the Kohechi Road, which connects Koyasan and Kumano Hongu Taisha, and the Kii Road, which connects Kyoto and Osaka along the coastline.
Koyasaka
小云取越
For example, the pilgrimage path that runs from Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine is actually one of the sections of the Nakabechi Road, and along Ojihama you can reach Takayazaka, where you can enjoy the mossy stone steps and the blue sea view. The "Kogumo-etriche", which also belongs to the Nakabechi Road, leads along the ridge to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, where you can enjoy cedar trees and cypress forests along the way, so you can adjust the route according to your physical strength and travel time!
【Mountain】Kumano Hayatama Taisha
There are said to be nearly 5,000 Kumano Shrines in Japan, and the Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine in Shingu City is the main shrine (main shrine) of Kumano Shrines in Japan. Legend has it that the gods of Kumano first descended on Mt. Kankura, and later during the reign of Emperor Keiyuki, a new shrine (palace) was built on the site of the shrine, hence the name "Shingu", and the original worship of Kumano Speedama and Kumano Fusumi Okami Okami later became the main shrine of Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine, which has a high status in both history and religion, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Yataga Uema of Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine
Yataga Gomori
Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine is one of the World Heritage Sites
In addition to the 1,200 precious national treasures in the shrine shrine, there is also a thousand-year-old sacred tree, the "Bamboo Cypress Tree" (梛の大树), which is said to ward off evil spirits. Legend has it that this three-legged crow guided Emperor Jimmu from Kumano Province to Yamato Province during his crusade to the East, and was later regarded as a symbol of luck and victory.
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
・Address: 1 place of Shingu, Shingu City, Wakayama
・Hours: 8:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m
- Access: About a 16-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【Mountain】Jinren Shrine
If you like to visit secret places and are confident in your physical strength, we recommend arranging a visit to "Kankura Shrine"! This shrine is very special because it is located on a cliff called "Tenpan Shield" halfway up Gongen Mountain, and there is a natural boulder "Koto Hikishi" (ゴトビキ rock) stuck right above the temple. In addition, you must climb the 538 stone stairs before reaching the shrine, and those who are physically demanding and have a fear of heights may be scared on the way, but according to legend, Kotohiki is considered to be the first sacred place where the gods of Kumano Sanzan descended, and these difficulties add to the charm and sacredness of Kankura Shrine. The sense of accomplishment when you reach the top and the expansive view of the city and the sea are worth the sweat!
The koto stone above the Kankura Shrine
Before visiting, you must climb the 538 stone stairs
Shinto Shrine
・Address: 1-13-8 Kamakura, Shingu City, Wakayama
- Access: About a 15-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【Mountain】Asuka Shrine
If you want to collect another World Heritage Site, you can visit the Asuka Shrine at the foot of Mt. Takerai on the south bank of the Kumano River estuary, which was added to the World Heritage Site in 2016 under the name "Sacred Ground and Pilgrimage Path of the Kii Mountains".
The Yata-yakuru Shinto of Asuga Shrine
The atmosphere of Asuka Shrine is quiet
The history of Asuga Shrine can be traced back to 423 B.C., and legend has it that Xu Fu, who was ordered by Qin Shi Huang to go to sea to find the elixir of immortality, finally landed in Shingu when he finally landed in Japan, and has a deep relationship with this shrine. Nowadays, the shrine is naturally integrated into the life scenery of the residents, and you can enter and exit freely, and you can also draw the Yataya Wu modeling god sign here, and you can also take it home as a souvenir after reading the poem.
Asuka Shrine
・Address: 1-2-25 Asuka, Shingu City, Wakayama
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【Sea】Oji Shrine, Oji Shrine
If you want to feel the breath of the sea in Shingu City, head to Ojihama, a sandbar formed by a pile of gravel at the mouth of the Kumano River, with a coastline that stretches from Shingu City to Kumano City. The gray and white sand and the vast blue Pacific Ocean complement each other, making it a great place to listen to the sound of the waves, blow the wind, and spend a relaxing stroll. If you take a walk along the waterfront and further down the road, you will see the "Oji Shrine" on the right hand side, which used to be dedicated to the god of the sea, but later under the influence of the Kumano faith, it is now dedicated to the god Kumano, and the shrine is filled with a unique sense of tranquility.
Wang Zibin
Oji Shrine
Ojigahama
・Address: 1-2-25 Asuka, Shingu City, Wakayama
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
Oji Shrine
・Address: 1-14-32 Ojicho, Shingu City, Wakayama
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【River】Kumano River light boat tour
After experiencing the vastness of the sea, Shingu City can also experience the tranquility of the river, so please spend 90 minutes and experience the "Kumano River Light Boat Tour". Back in the Heian period, it was the water approach used by the Japanese royal family to visit the Kumano Three Mountains, and now travelers can take a wooden boat and glide across the turquoise river and enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river, experiencing the scenery of thousands of years ago. The Kumano River was also registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004 and is the only water pilgrimage route on the World Heritage List. If you join the tour, you will have a guide to assist you along the way (you can choose to participate in the Japanese or English version of the tour), so you can learn more about the history and nature of the area.
If you don't understand Japanese, you can choose an English-speaking guide
There are many natural scenery to enjoy along the way
Kumano River boat ride
・Address: 54-8 Naga, Machida, Kumanogawa, Shingu City, Wakayama
・Frequency: 10:00am, 2:30pm (reservation required)
・Fare: 4,300 yen for adults, 2,000 yen for children between 4 and 12 years old (the amount will be adjusted in March 2024)
・Access: From JR Shingu Station, take the Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus bound for Hongu to the bus stop "Michi-no-Kumano River" and walk for about 1 minute
Shingu City's top three must-eat delicacies and souvenir recommendations
【Cuisine】 Shiroku (eel)
Eel is a very representative Japanese cuisine, and "Shikaroku" in Shingu City is not only a popular eel specialty store for local residents, but also a private favorite restaurant of Japanese literati Haruo Sato, and even provided a column to the magazine called "The Story of Eel", which is to promote how delicious Shiroku is!
The eels here are made in Japan, and the eel is carefully selected to be harvested at the time of the most abundant according to the production area, and the eel is kept fresh by using the store's unique method of "de-mudging" (mud squeezing) to maintain a certain level of well water. The cuisine is a fusion of Kansai and Kanto techniques: the fish is cut through the Kanto-style open-back method, and then grilled with high-quality Kishu Bincho charcoal using the Kansai-style open-back method, and then grilled with high-quality Kishu Bincho charcoal, so that the eel has a charred skin and tender meat, and finally it is dipped in a secret sauce that has been inherited for 100 years, and it is salty and sweet!
Shikaroku
・Address: 2-3-5, Moto-sume-cho, Shingu City, Wakayama
・Hours: 11:00 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 20:00）
・Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday)
・Access: About a 13-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【Food】Sohonya Mebariya (Mebari Sushi)
Shingu City has a traditional local dish called "Mebari Sushi" (めはりsushi), which has a history of hundreds of years, and has been a common main dish in the bento boxes of agricultural, mountainous, and rural workers in the Kishu area, especially in the Nanki region, especially in Shingu City. Mebari Sushi is a simple dish of pickled mustard greens (also known as "takana" in Japanese) wrapped in rice, but for fear of the workers going hungry, the portion of rice is the size of a softball, and it is said that when you eat it, you have to open your mouth wide to stuff it, and your eyes involuntarily widen, hence the name "Mebari".
The rice wrapped in pickled mustard greens gradually penetrates into the saltiness of the pickle, but it is recommended to eat it within 12 hours after making it to maintain its flavor and freshness. If you're feeling confident in your appetite, you can choose the Mebari Sushi (めはり定食), where you can eat four Mebari sushi and other side dishes at once. The reporter suggested that you choose the "Try the Course" (おためしセット), and you can eat Kansai's representative dishes such as skewer fried and oden together.
Megi Sushi
A "trial course" where you can enjoy Kansai cuisine such as Mebari sushi and skewer fried and oden at the same time
Sohonke Mehariya Main Store
・Address: 5-6, Kashicho, Shingu City, Wakayama
・Hours: 11:00 a.m. ~ 9:00 p.m. (2:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. for takeout only)
・Closed: Wednesdays
- Access: About a 12-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
【Souvenirs】Komei Hall
After visiting Kumano Speedama Taisha Shrine, remember to take a short walk to "Komeido" to buy souvenirs! Founded in 1868 in the first year of the Meiji era (1868), this long-established shop and confectionery shop with a history of more than 150 years is a popular choice for locals who want to eat snacks and gifts!
The store's most representative product is the chicken cake "Suzuyaki" made in the shape of a bell, the size is just the size of a bite, the texture is soft and easy to eat, and the famous Wasanban sugar in the Shikoku region is used, so the taste is sweet but not greasy, presenting a mild and nostalgic taste, no wonder it is well received by customers regardless of age and gender! The reporter also recommends the "Kumano Nasho Pancake", which is also made of carefully selected and three pots, and the pancake has a crispy texture, and each pancake also has a pattern drawn on the famous local attractions, such as Kumano Hayama, It is very suitable to buy as a souvenir.
The bell-shaped chicken cake "Suzuyaki" is a popular item of Komeido
The "Kumano Nasho Pancake", which is popular among tourists, is printed with a representative spot of Shingu City
Komei Hall
・Address: 3-3-4 Ohashi-dori City, Shingu City, Wakayama
・Business hours: 9:00 a.m. ~ 9:00 p.m. (until 5:30 p.m. on Sundays)
・Closed: Tuesdays
- Access: About a 15-minute walk from JR Shingu Station
If you want to dominate the world heritage and natural and cultural scenery at once, you can know that there is no difficulty as you imagined when you travel to Shingu City in Wakayama City!
Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture Recommended Spots and Must-Eat Foods: Take a World Heritage Tour to the Kumano Kodo! | Tesco! Japan