Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range


Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Kii Peninsula in Japan.

Selection criteria

The locations and paths for this heritage site were based on their historical and modern importance in religious pilgrimages. It was also noted for its fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and a well documented history of traditions over 1,200 years. The nature scenery on the Kii peninsula was also taken into consideration, with its many streams, rivers and waterfalls. Technically, independent structures at nominated temples and shrines were nominated for this distinction, and not the entire establishments. Sections of the trails were included for this nomination, but not the full length of their expanses. A total of 242 elements were selected from sites and pilgrimage routes for nomination.

List of sites

AreaCultural assetTypeLocationPicture
Yoshino and ŌmineMount YoshinonatureMountainnara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and ŌmineYoshino Mikumari ShrineshrineShinto shrinenara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine
Yoshino and ŌmineKimpusen-jitemple shugendo buddhistShugendō/Buddhist templenara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and ŌmineYoshimizu ShrineshrineShinto shrinenara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and ŌmineŌminesan-jitemple shugendoShugendō templenara yoshino tenkawaTenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Kumano SanzanKumano Hongū TaishashrineShinto shrinewakayama tanabeTanabe-shi, Wakayama-ken
Kumano SanzanKumano Hayatama TaishashrineShinto shrinewakayama mieShingū-shi, Wakayama-ken;
Kiho-chō, Minamimuro-gun, Mie-ken
Kumano SanzanKumano Nachi TaishashrineShinto shrinewakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano SanzanSeiganto-jitemple tendaiTendai Buddhist templewakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano SanzanNachi FallsnatureWaterfallwakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano SanzanNachi Primeval ForestnatureForestwakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano SanzanFudarakusan-jitemple tendaiTendai Buddhist templewakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
KōyasanNiutsuhime ShrineshrineShinto shrinewakayama ito katsuragiKatsuragi-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
KōyasanKongōbu-jitemple shingonShingon Buddhist templewakayama ito koyaKōya-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
KōyasanJison-intemple shingonShingon Buddhist templewakayama ito kudoyamaKudoyama-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
KōyasanNiukanshōfu ShrineshrineShinto shrinewakayama ito kudoyamaKudoyama-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
Pilgrimage RoutesŌmine OkugakemichitrailTrailwakayama naraVillages between Nara and Wakayama prefectures
Pilgrimage RoutesKumano Kodō
trailTrailwakayama mieAcross Mie and Wakayama prefectures
Pilgrimage RoutesKōyasan chōishi-michitrailTrailwakayama itoVillages in Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken