Healing - Experience - From Hongu To  Shingu Old road (No.3)

• Oyunohara
• Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
• Ohama
• Mitarai Kaigan
• Koyanosaka

Healing - Experience - Nakaheji Old road (No.1)
Healing - Experience - Okumotori, Kogumotori Old road (No.2)
Healing - Experience - Kumano Kaido Old road (No.4)

Oyunohara

　

Oyunohara is the original site of the Hongu Shrine. It is here where the divinities of the Hongu shrine actually reside. Only two small stone shrines remain after the original shrine was destroyed by flood waters. Even though the main shrine was moved to higher ground there is a strong and tangible spiritual power here. It is said that one can become rejuvenated just by being on this spot for a short time.

At Oyunohara, especially in the early morning, you can feel the unique spiritual energy of this place. Before the big flood in 1898 it was famous for its large number of shrines and buildings spreading over the whole area.
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Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine

　

The Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine is one of the Three Kumano Grand Shrines. Branches of this shrine, called 'Kumano Jinja', can be found all over Japan. The Kumano Hongu Shrine has a very long history, and used to be located on an island in the Kumano River where it was washed away by a big flood in 1898.

After the flood, the shrine was moved to its present location halfway up a nearby hill. A stone path consisting of 130 steps leads to the shrine. The new shrine is said to be only one eighth the size of the original shrine.
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Ohama

　

Ohama is the name of a beach which stretches from the mouth of Kumano River along the southeast edge of Shingu City toward Nachi. Ohama is also known as Ojigahama' (Oji Beach) due to the fact that Hama Oji Shrine, one of the Kumano Tsukumo Oji Shrines, can be found there. After a long journey pilgrims, from both the Nakaheji Route and the Ise Route, would stop to worship at the Hayatama Grand Shrine. On the way to Nachi from Hayatama pilgrims would also stop to pray at the many Oji Shrines along the way. to the top

Mitarai Kaigan

　

A plateau pushes itself out onto Ojigahama Beach and the beach becomes a rocky shoreline of sheer cliffs. This section of the shoreline is called Mitarai Kaigan which is famous as a place for Shiogori (Seawater Purification). It only lasts for a few hundred meters, but it is so steep and rocky that it is constantly pounded by great waves making it impossible to traverse. Kumano Kodo Old Road therefore followed the beach only until this point then avoided this section by winding its way up onto the plateau and crossing over to the other side where the beach again becomes walkable.
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Koyanosaka

　

After Ojigahama, The Kumano Kodo Old Road climbs up to a plateau called Koyanosaka. From Koyanosaka, you can catch sight of the Pacific Ocean as it spreads out before your eyes. Koyanosaka is the only place in Shingu City where the old stone pathway can still be found. One can also find the ruins of an old resthouse built long ago with the support of Seigoin, the main shrine of Mountain Buddhism. You can also see the ruins of the Hirotsuno milestone, and a stone statue of the Boddhisatva along the way. Walking along this section of the Old Road you can let your imagination drift into the golden age of Kumano when these paths were frequented by thousands of pilgrims on their way to the Nachi Grand Shrine.

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