Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine

Kumano Hayatama Taisha, located in Shingū City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan), alongside Kumano Hongū Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. It enshrines two main deities — Kumano Hayatama no Ōkami and Kumano Fusumi no Ōkami. According to legend, these gods first descended upon the massive boulder known as Gotobiki Iwa on Mount Kamikura, before being relocated to the current site. The original place of worship became Kamikura Shrine, also called the “Former Shrine” (Motomiya), while the new site was named Shingū, meaning “New Shrine,” which later gave its name to the city itself.

Since ancient times, Kumano Hayatama Taisha has served as a vital center of the Kumano faith. During the Heian period, the shrine established a complex of twelve sanctuaries known as the Kumano Jūnisho Gongen, symbolizing the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. In the late Heian to Kamakura periods, emperors and retired emperors — such as Emperor Toba and Emperor Go-Shirakawa — made repeated pilgrimages to the Kumano shrines, elevating the region to one of Japan’s most revered spiritual destinations.

During the Meiji era, the shrine was designated a Prefectural Shrine, and later promoted to Kanpei Taisha (Imperial Shrine) in 1915. The current buildings were reconstructed in 1967, preserving the solemn and traditional architectural style. In 2004, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, together with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.”

The shrine houses a vast collection of cultural treasures, most notably the National Treasure “Koshinpōrui” (Ancient Divine Treasures) — over 1,000 artifacts including ritual garments, jewelry, lacquerware, and arms used in divine ceremonies. These objects exemplify the refined craftsmanship of the Heian to Nanbokuchō periods, and the shrine also preserves several wooden statues and important ritual implements, showcasing the depth of Kumano’s spiritual culture.

In addition to its rich heritage, the shrine’s natural beauty is equally remarkable. Within the precincts stands a majestic Nagi tree (Nagi-no-Ōki), approximately 20 meters tall and over 1,000 years old, designated as a National Natural Monument. It is said to have been planted by the Heian-period warrior Taira no Shigemori. The Nagi tree symbolizes peace and steadfast bonds, and its leaves and seeds are crafted into charms for good fortune and enduring relationships, cherished by visitors and worshippers alike.