Jan 17, 2015 - 1 min read

Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

Shinto God and Buddha co-exist in an ancient power spot

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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After climbing the long stone stairs, you will reach 'Shinmon (God's Gate)' (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

It snowed for the first time this year. I put my hands together and prayed in front of the third prayer hall. (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

Kame-ishi (Turtle Stone) in front of the prayer hall. It is said that if you touch it, you will gain longevity. (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

Sake barrels displayed along the outside corridor of the prayer hall are offerings from visitors! (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

Inside the prayer hall, a Shinto ritual was taking place (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

The purest water is called 'Genshu', and when there was no sake in ancient times, it was offered to gods as a replacement. But these are real sake! (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

In this shrine, like in Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, 'Yatagarasu', the guide of God, is enshrined. (Photo: Masayoshi Hirose)

The last shrine I visited during my January 2011 Kumano visit (in Wakayama Prefecture) was Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, one of the three major shrines in Kumano. Snow was falling in on this day.

Kumano is a holy place for people who seek the Pure Land (Gokuraku Jodo in Japanese). Kumano is also called 'A Place for Resurrection'. When I was climbing the 158 stone steps to the shrine decorated with banners of 'Kumano Gongen (God of Kumano)' on both sides, and saw the Shinmon (God's Gate) in the falling snow, I felt like I was approaching a sacred area where God resides. In ancient times, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine was the center of what would today be called a 'power spot'.

Three Major Shrines in Kumano 1. Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls 2. Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine 3. Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine