Kumano has been part of the sacred sites and pilgrimage route where people from all walks of life, including the kings and aristocrats would pay respect since the ancient times. People make an arduous trip to pay a visit to the three main shrines in Kumano Sanzan, covering Kumano Hongu Taisha (Grand Shrine), Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine and Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine in the southern part of Kii Peninsula.
There is a believe that you may wash away your sins in the past life by pay a respect at Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine, engage in your present life by visiting Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine, and pray for a better next life at Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine. So the idea is to visit all.
Experiencing is the key to the visits. In the old days, the emperors and aristocrats would walk for months to walk from Nara and Kyoto all way to Kumano. Today, you may take JR trains, buses and even drive to the sites. Yet there are many amazing trails and sacred sites that are only accessible on foot.
To start, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine is the easiest. Take JR to Shingu Station and walk for 15 to 20 minutes. There is no stairs.
The main entrance to Hayatama Grand Shrine. The bridge says “Get off the horses bridge”. While there is no more horse riding these days, it is the point where you start walking. No vehicles. 這是速玉大社入口，「下馬橋」是古代指示任何達官貴人都要下馬，開始步行進入神社。現在當然沒有人騎馬來，這是步入神社參拜的起步點。After the main gate (Torii), there is a shrine on the right dedicated to Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow which led the way for Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan in an military expedition. 過了第一個鳥居後，右手邊有座八咫烏神社。日本神話中神武天皇東征是由一隻八咫烏引路的，所以八咫烏被視為「神之使者」，備受供奉。The plague at the top of the main entrance marks “The national main branch of Kumano Shrines”, stating the significance of the shrine. 速玉大社的神門上方繫著粗大的注連繩，牌匾上方註明「全國熊野神社總本宮」。Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine enshrines 12 gods. Pilgrims usually start to pay respect from the main hall. 熊野速玉大社供奉12位神，一般信眾會由主拜殿開始參拜。The plague in the main hall says “Japan’s number 1 efficacious place”. That’s very encouraging! 拜殿上由一個牌匾寫著「日本第一大靈驗所」，看到都信心大增。Facing the main hall stands some stone memorial plagues, engraving the names and the number of visits by the emperors and royalty families. The highest record was 33 times. 主拜殿對面有幾塊豎立的石碑，上面刻有曾經前來參拜的天皇及皇族，最高紀錄是33次到訪。Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine has been listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Route since 2004. 熊野速玉大社於2004年被列入為世界遺產「紀伊山地靈場與參詣道」之景點。The “Ema” adapts Yatagarasu as the representative of the shrine. 速玉大社以八咫烏為神社的代表，印在繪馬上。Since people believe that Yatagarasu symbolizes leadership, it is adopted as a winning logo. Buy a charm for good luck in examinations or tests if you are studying. 由於八咫烏被視為領導的象徵，日本球隊都以它為標誌。如果你來到參拜，記得買個御守保讀書考試合格。Before you leave, check out this 1,000 years old sacred tree: Nagi-no-Ki tree (Podocarpus nagi). It is the largest Nagi tree in Japan and designated as a National Natural Monument. 參拜後離開前要到這棵千年古樹「梛之大樹」看看，是日本目前最大的一棵，並被定為「國家自然記念物」。Pilgrims would pick up a leave from the ground as a blessing charm. Since you are not allowed to pick from the tree, you may simply buy one in a packaged charm at the shop in the shrine. 神木當然不可隨便採摘，很多信眾參拜後會在樹下拾一塊葉回家保平安。神社內亦有些做好了的御守賣，買個回家可以好好保存。Address: Japan, 〒647-0003 Wakayama Prefecture, Shingu, Japan. Phone: +81 735-22-2533 Transportation: Take JR and get off at JR Shingu Station, then walk for 15-20 minutes. 速玉大社地址：和歌山縣新宮市新宮1。 電話：+81 735-22-2533 交通：到JR 新宮站下車，步行15-20分鐘。JR Pass: There is a 5-day JR pass that covers Ise, Kumano and Wakayama. If you are planning a pilgrimage trip, this is a good option. You may start your journey from either Nagoya or Wakayama, go to all main shrines in Kumano and Ise Grand Shrine, as well as to take the connecting buses to/from JR stations. JR 周遊券：假如你想去一個朝聖之旅，有一款5天伊勢、熊野、和歌山地區周遊券，可以從名古屋或和歌山出發，除了可以乘坐 JR 到達熊野三山和伊勢神宮，還可以乘搭部份接駁巴士，十分方便。
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