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Kansai | Wakayama | Mt Koya (Koyasan)

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

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Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Consisting of three sacred sites located in the dense forests of southern mainland Japan, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range were inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2004. Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, and Koyasan are pilgrimage routes connecting to ancient capital cities Nara and Kyoto. These sites are rooted in the fusion of Shintoism and Buddhism. Shintoism illustrates nature worship in Japan, while Buddhism was introduced to the country by the Chinese and Korean peninsulas. The surrounding area reflects the tradition of sacred mountains and the development of religious culture in Japan over the past 1,200 years.

Rich with beautiful streams and waterfalls, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range draw 15 million visitors annually for hiking and ritual purposes. Each site contains shrines, the oldest founded during the 9th century. The Kii Mountain’s unique forms of shrines and temples later created a strong influence on the future construction of temples and shrines elsewhere in Japan. These sites are authentic structure-wise and spiritually. Each wooden building holds a long tradition of reconstructing timber structures with its well-preserved design, materials, and technique. A high level of spiritual authenticity has been maintained due to its various rituals (mainly Shinto and Buddhist related) continuously practiced. Given its cultural and religious landscape, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range hold a high level of integrity and authenticity.