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Kumano （熊野） is an ancient name for an area and a general name for three Shinto shrines as well as walking trails as a world heritage. The area, including the shrines and the walking trails, are registered as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
As a place, Kumano is one of Japan's most popular spiritual and sacred regions, located about 100 kilometers south of Osaka. Kumano is centered around three shrines（熊野神社） : Kumano Hongu Taisha（熊野本宮大社）, Kumano Nachi Taisha（熊野那智大社）, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha（熊野速玉大社）, collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan（熊野三山）. The shrines are believed to be built in or before the 10th century, with mention in Japan's founding mythology. The great Kumano Sanzan complex also includes two Buddhist temples, Seiganto-ji（青岸渡寺） , and Fudarakusan-ji（補陀洛山寺 ） . Kamikura Shrine（神倉神社 ） is considered first shrine the god of Kumano descended to, who resides in a big rock overlooking the city.
In 9th-12th centuries, Kumano became a popular destination for the imperial family and aristocrats. By the 17th century, the majority of pilgrims to Kumano were commoners. From prehistoric times until the present, the Kumano area was, and still is, considered a place of healing; a sacred, mystical abode of the gods.
Pilgrims have traveled to the Kumano Sanzan via the walking trails, called Kumano Kodo（熊野古道）, for over 1000 years. More than just a means to reach the three shrines, the pilgrimage trails were designed to be a religious experience in themselves and often pass through dangerous mountain. The trails link the Kumano area to Kyoto, Koyasan (the headquarter of Shingon Buddhism), Yoshino and Omine (centers of mountain worship) and Ise (Japan's most important shrine). Today, most of the coastal trails have disappeared with development, but several mountain trails and passes remain.
Yatagarasu（八咫烏 ）
The three-legged crow is a Kamon（家紋）,an emblem used to decorate and identify an individual or a family. It is the symbol of Kumano Sanzan, seen as a symbol of guidance. Not only is it representative of Kumano, it is also a symbol of Japanese soccer. It is hoped by the Japanese soccer association that Yatagarasu's excellent guidance will guide the ball to the goal which is why they adopted it as the official mascot.
Nachi Falls （那智滝 ）are considered some of the most beautiful falls in Japan
Nachi Fire Festival（ Nachi no Hi Matsuri 那智の火祭 ） is one of the three largest fire festivals of Japan, staged in the Kumano mountains. It is seen as a way to drive away misfortunes and purify the body. A giant pine torch weighing over 50 kg is lit on fire and used to purify the path to the shrine. The festival is held on July 14th every year.
Hot springs - Tsuboyu, is considered to be able to purify bodies
A wooden marker on Kumano Kodo
Credit: https://followingthearrows.com/2017/06/07/what-is-the-kumano-kodo/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4950.html
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/world-heritage/kumano_sanzan/
https://en.japantravel.com/wakayama/kamikura-shrine-where-the-kami-sama-reside-in-a-big-rock/26
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4952.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/kumano-nachi-taisha-shrine.html
https://en.visitwakayama.jp/venues/6AB1FwKuFGWGcU8OmMmoyK/
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