photo #9441727

Ancient trails of Kumano, Japan. Photography by Hisanori Manabe. The Kumano Kodō comprises a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that have drawn worshippers for over a thousand years Captured by photographer Hisanori Manabe, this atmospheric photograph captures the serene majesty of the ancient Kumano Kodō pilgrimage trail winding deep through the moss-draped forests of the Kii Peninsula. Weathered stone staircases (ishi-dan), hand-laid centuries ago, ascend through a dense grove of towering Japanese cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) trees, disappearing into a cool, mist-veiled distance. Soft, ethereal teal and emerald light filters through the high forest canopy, illuminating the damp, moss-covered stones and rustic forest floor below. The Kumano Kodō comprises a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that have drawn worshippers for over a thousand years, connecting the sacred sites of the Kumano Sanzan—the three grand shrines of Hongū Taisha, Hayatama Taisha, and Nachi Taisha. Dating back to the Heian period (794–1185), emperors, aristocrats, samurai, and common pilgrims alike traversed these steep stone pathways in search of spiritual purification and healing. The stone paving (ishi-tatami) preserved along these trails represents a remarkable tradition of monozukuri (mastery of sacred trail craftsmanship). Constructed to prevent soil erosion from heavy mountain rainfall, these moss-covered steps stand as a testament to the harmonious integration of human engineering and natural mountain topography, earning the network recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.