Japan’s Spiritual Heartland: The Kii Peninsula

Just under 100 km from Osaka—host of the 2025 World Expo (April 13–October 13)—the Kii Peninsula is a land of majestic landscapes and ancient traditions. A journey into Japan’s spiritual roots, where sacred mountains and pilgrimage trails intertwine.

While most travelers flock to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, the Kii Peninsula remains a serene escape, embodying the soul of Japan. Dotted with UNESCO-listed pilgrimage routes, Shinto shrines, and Buddhist temples, it’s a place where monks’ vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) and fading rituals—like the freediving ama (sea women) hunting for shellfish—still thrive.

Today, 80% of Japan practices Buddhism, a philosophy that arrived from India via China in the 6th century. Here, it blends seamlessly with Shintoism, an animist faith celebrating nature’s spirits. This duality is visible in the peninsula’s sacred sites, where shrines and temples often stand side by side.

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Koyasan: A Pilgrim’s Retreat

In Wakayama Prefecture, Mount Koya is the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism, founded 1,200 years ago. Its centerpiece, Konpon Daito Temple, is a vivid orange structure within Danjo Garan, a spiritual complex of diverse temples. By night, the nearby Okunoin Cemetery—shrouded in towering cedars and illuminated lanterns—becomes an ethereal wonder. Staying in a monastery guesthouse (shukubo), like the historic Hojo-in, offers tatami rooms, volcanic hot springs (onsen), and predawn meditation amid flickering lanterns.

The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage

A UNESCO-listed trail since 2004, the Kumano Kodo winds through forests reminiscent ofPrincess Mononoke. Most hikers take 4–5 days to complete it, pausing at teahouses serving locally harvestedsenchaandbanchateas. The Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, perched above Japan’s tallest waterfall (133m), is a highlight—climbing its 467 steps rewards visitors with sweeping views and an ancient camphor tree.

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The Last of the Ama Divers

Along Ise Bay, theama—women freedivers in their 60s and 70s—continue a 3,000-year-old tradition. Clad in whiteisogi, they dive for shellfish, whistling (isobue) to protect their lungs. With fewer than 2,000 remaining, their legacy lives on in coastal shacks serving freshly grilled seafood.

Pearls and Coastal Charms

In Mie Prefecture, Mikimoto Pearl Island pays homage to cultured pearls, while the bay’s wooden oyster farms offer hands-on pearl-harvesting experiences. Nearby, the luxuriousOyado The Earthryokan blends modern comfort with private ocean-view onsens.

A journey to the Kii Peninsula is a dive into Japan’s spiritual and natural heritage—where every trail, temple, and tide tells a story.