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Kumano Sanzan in Wakayama: Complete Guide to Japan’s Three Sacred Shrines
What is Kumano Sanzan? Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山) refers to three sacred Shinto shrines; Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社), Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智), and Kumano Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社) that are located in the mountainous Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県). These shrines are part of the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and are considered one of Japan’s most important spiritual destinations. Kumano Sanzan is one of Japan’s most sacred pilgrimage destinations, yet it still feels untouched and deeply spiritual compared to places like Kyoto. When my wife and I explored this region, we were blown away by how each shrine — hidden among mountains, waterfalls, and ancient forests; offers a completely different…
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Oharano Shrine – Trivia Behind Kyoto’s Historical Hidden Gem
Tucked away within the western forest of Kyoto lies the little Oharano Shrine (大原野神社/Ōharano-jinja); a shrine that is totally out of the tourist radar for those visiting Kyoto (京都). Ask the hordes of tourist if they have heard of this shrine and chances are 99.99% the answer is a huge NO. Despite this, the shrine itself holds an important spot in Kyoto’s history for more than a thousand years. With that in mind, lets dwell into this background behind the founding of this shrine. History A Little Historical Background For the history of this shrine, we first introduce the main contributor to this shrine, Emperor Kanmu (桓武天皇). Emperor Kanmu (pictured…
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9 Best Hidden Road Trip Destinations Around Usa, Ōita
Hello fellow travelers, did you know there are plenty of hidden destinations to explore nearby the city of Usa (宇佐/pronounced oo-sah)? Usa is located one-hour drive from Beppu (別府) and Ōita (大分) in Ōita Prefecture (大分県), Kyūshū (九州). Renowned for the Usa Jingū (宇佐神宮) shrine, many often overlooked Usa’s other destinations due to limited busses and exposure. Despite this, their natural beauty certainly warrants the attention for those seeking a more fulfilling Japan trip. Furthermore, their limited access via public transportation gives the perfect excuse to rent a car for a road trip. With that said, here are 10 must explore destinations nearby Usa via car on a road trip. Special…
