The Kumano Sanzan Shrines - that is Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine, Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine and Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine respectively - are great places to visit and immerse yourself in the deep religious history of the area. There is a fair distance between them, and those tight for time may find that the bus services available just don't fit in the schedule. So, why not rent a car for a few days and travel between each place and explore the surrounding areas in between, all at your own pace and in the comfort of a private vehicle for you and your companions. This plan will cover the must-see's of the Kumano area.
Start off the trip at Shingu's very own Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine. There is a car park to the right of the main gate entrance, which gives you quick access to both the shrine grounds and the Kawaraya Yokocho riverside stalls beside it.
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After your ride down the river, feel free to take a breather at the facilities provided at the boat center. There's food and drink available, and a wide variety of local region specialties to purchase as souvenirs to take back home.
Stop by Satsuki Onsen to wash away your stress and have a quick soak. The onsen is surrounded by the lush Kumano mountains, and this amazing view can be enjoyed from the comfort of the warming outdoor baths. Keep in mind that the onsen is closed on Mondays when planning your next trip!
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Come back around to Shingu to finish off the day. Check into one of the many places to stay in Shingu, and round off the night with some food and drink. Shingu has a huge number of offerings when it comes to delicious food, and has just as many places to have a drink - all within walking distance to where you're staying.
The fish auctions at the markets in Kii Katsuura are a sight to behold, though they do start very early, beginning at around 7am. These markets close up shop when all the tuna is sold out, meaning the closing time will vary season by season. The markets are also closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In summer, a smaller catch means an earlier closing time - plan your trip accordingly so that you don't miss out!
Drive up the curvy road to the top of Nachi Mountain, where you'll be able to visit the gems of the Nachi-Katsuura area; Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, the Seiganto-ji Temple and the Nachi Waterfalls a little ways underneath.
Katsuura is home to a number of great onsens, and there are even foot baths dotted around the town area. For more information on opening times and how to get to each place, feel free to contact the Nachi-Katsuura Tourist Information Center.
If your trip takes you to Hongu the next day, it might be more convenient to come back around to stay in Shingu again to make the drive shorter and more leisurely.
Spend a bit of time going around some of the other sights within the city. Check out Kamikura-jinja Shrine and Asuka-jinja Shrine, which are both part of the World Heritage Site in the region, as well as the mysterious natural monument of Ukijima-no-Mori, a floating jungle in the middle of the city.
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Drive round to Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, which is also part of the Kumano Sanzan. Hongu Taisha is home to the largest torii gate in Japan, so this landmark is extremely hard to miss! It also looks especially picturesque on sunny days.
If you have a bit of time, have a go at hiking part of the Nakahechi route on the Kumano Kodo. From Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, take a bus to the Hasshinmon stop, from which you can begin a short 2 hour trek on the Kumano Kodo back towards the shrine again.
There are a number of hot springs within close proximity to Hongu as well, including the Kawayu, Watarase and Yunomine onsens. These all have their own unique features and are all worth checking out! For more information about them, please feel free to contact the Hongu Tourism Association.
This might be where you end the road trip and return the rental car. There are still many other sites to drive to in the area but if you've followed this guide, you'll have seen the mainstay places.
