At July 7th, 2024, 20 years have passed since this region Kumano was inscribed in the UNESCO's World Heritage List entitled "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range".
For these 20 years, a great amount of visitor from inside and outside Japan came to this town Hongu for walking Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage routes and visiting shrines at the end of the walk. Hongu is deep in the mountains inside Kii Peninsula, so all the visitors must be satisfied with flourishing nature in spite of being quite remote from urban areas.
Hongu is also known for having three onsen sites. They are Kawayu, Yunomine, and Wataze. In Kawayu, onsen water might pour out if you dig the river shore, so it is famous for "My open-air bath" making and a huge open-air bath in the winter called "Sennin Buro". Yunomine is said to be one of the oldest onsen sites in Japan having the history of 1,800 years. Wataze is an onsen resort with the largest open-air bath in western Japan.
We are sure your visit to Hongu will be one of your best memories with walking Kumano Kodo and getting soak in onsen bathes. We will welcome you!