Oyamagahara (大斎原)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The former shrine site where Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine (熊野本宮大社) stood until the great flood of 1888, located on an island between the Kumano River and Otonashigawa River—a sacred place of profound significance. The towering vermilion torii gate at the entrance stands approximately 34 meters high and 42 meters wide—Japan's largest—appearing almost miraculously amid the rice-field landscape. Ancient pilgrims are said to have waded through the Otonashigawa River to purify themselves before entering the sacred precinct. Today, the quiet former shrine site features a small stone shrine, and only the sound of wind through the trees breaks the silence. A photograph taken against the backdrop of the torii gate becomes an iconic image of the Kumano Hongu area. The rice-field pathway changes with the seasons—cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in early summer—making each visit a refreshing experience.

Tips

About 10 minutes on foot from Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine, walking along a single road through the rice fields. Photography is permitted around the torii gate, but the central sanctuary where the stone shrine stands is sacred ground, so photography is prohibited there. Follow signs on site. The area has little shade, so bring a hat or parasol in summer. Use the parking lot on the Hongu Taisha side.

Best time to visit

Approximately 45 minutes. Shoot in the morning when backlit for beautiful photographs of the torii gate and rice-field landscape.

Access & map

Hongu-chō, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture 647-1731, 1