Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
Nestled in the dense forests of the Kii Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean, three sacred sites—Mount Yoshino and Mount Ōmine, the Kumano Sanzan, and Mount Koya—are linked by pilgrimage routes to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto and reflect a fusion of Shintoism, which grew out of Japan’s ancient tradition of nature worship, and Buddhism, which was introduced from China and the Korean peninsula. The sites (506.4 hectares) and their surrounding forested landscape reflect a well-documented sacred mountain tradition that has continued for more than 1,200 years. The area, with its many streams, rivers, and waterfalls, remains part of Japanese living culture, with up to 15 million visitors each year coming to participate in rituals and hikes. All three sites are home to shrines, some of which were established as early as the 9th century.