A Kumano shrine ( 熊野神社 , Kumano Jinja ) is a type of Shinto shrine which enshrines the three Kumano mountains: Hongū , Shingū, and Nachi [Kumano Gongen ( 熊野権現 ) ]. There are more than 3,000 Kumano shrines in Japan , and each has received its kami from another Kumano shrine through a process of propagation called bunrei ( 分霊 ) or kanjō ( 勧請 ) .
20-680: The point of origin of the Kumano cult is the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex in Wakayama Prefecture , which comprises Kumano Hayatama Taisha ( 熊野速玉大社 ) ( Shingū, Wakayama ), Kumano Hongū Taisha ( Tanabe, Wakayama ) and Kumano Nachi Taisha ( Nachikatsuura , Wakayama Prefecture). The three Kumano Sanzan shrines are the Sōhonsha ("head shrines") of all Kumano shrines and lie between 20 and 40 km from each other. They are connected to each other by
40-476: A pilgrimage site and an increasingly popular tourist destination as people flock to see its ancient temples set amidst the towering cedar trees at the top of the mountain. The Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range extend for miles throughout the prefecture and together have been recognized as Japan's 11th UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Kumano Shrines are on the southern tip of
60-475: A unique example of shinbutsu-shūgō , the fusion between Buddhism and Japanese indigenous religion . The Kumano Sanzan site attracted many worshipers and became a popular pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century, pilgrims were mostly members of the imperial family or aristocrats, but four centuries later they were mostly commoners. The visit was referred to as the "Kumano ant pilgrimage" ( 蟻の熊野参り , Ari no Kumano mairi) , because they could be seen winding through
80-548: Is a Japanese national park , comprising areas of Japan 's Seto Inland Sea , and of ten bordering prefectures . Designated a national park in 1934, it has since been expanded several times. It contains about 3,000 islands, known as the Setouchi Islands , including the well-known Itsukushima . As the park encompasses many non-contiguous areas, and covers a tiny proportion of the Inland Sea's total extent, control and protection
100-557: Is problematic; much of the wider area is heavily industrialized. In 1934, when the area was envisioned as Japan’s first national park, it was far smaller than the expanse of today. Sixteen years later, in 1950, an expansion would seek to include other iconic sites in the region, bringing the total area roughly up to that of the present-day. Setonaikai is the biggest national park in Japan. In 1996, Itsukushima Shrine (in Hiroshima prefecture)
120-613: Is sometimes referred to as “Mediterranean”; in essence, the average temperature in winter rarely dips below freezing, or above 90°F (around 30°C) in the summer. There are numerous sightseeing places in the national park. Kanmon Strait is one of them. It is between Honshu and Kyushu. A suspension bridge called Kanmon Bridge spans the strait. In 1973, when it was opened for the public, it was the longest bridge (0.66 miles) in Asia. The Naruto whirlpools in Tokushima prefecture are tidal whirlpools in
140-488: The 10th century, under the influence of Buddhism, the three came to be worshiped together as the three deities of Kumano. Because at the time Japanese kami were believed to be emanations of buddhas ( honji suijaku theory), the three came to be associated with Buddhas. Kuniyasutamahime became associated with Sahasrabhūja Avalokiteśvara ( Senju Kannon , " Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara "), Bhaisajyaguru ( Yakushi Nyōrai ) and Amitābha ( Amida Nyōrai ). The site became
160-605: The Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto and Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture. The whirlpools, one of the prefecture’s major tourist attractions, are formed due to a narrow width (0.8 miles) of the strait and a water level of 5.6 feet between the Inland Sea and the Open Sea caused by the ebb and flow of the tide. It sometimes creates a whirlpool 100 feet in diameter. There are facilities where people can experience and learn about nature in
180-517: The highest for national subdivisions worldwide. The current governor Shūhei Kishimoto was elected on 27 November 2022. State-appointed governors: Publicly-elected governors: Mount Kōya ( 高野山 , Kōya-san ) in the Ito District is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism . It is home to one of the first Japanese style Buddhist temples in Japan and remains
200-501: The island of Shikoku . Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii . On July 17–18, 1953, a torrential heavy rain occurred, followed by collapse of levees, river flooding and landslides in a wide area. Many bridges and houses were destroyed. According to an officially confirmed report by the Government of Japan , 1,015 people died, with 5,709 injured and 7,115 houses lost. As of 31 March 2020, 13 percent of
220-407: The natural food chain and greater ecosystem. Starting in the 1980s (and continuing on into the present day), water quality has been drastically improved; stricter regulations on chemical use and runoff would be enforced, as well as advancements in technology, namely a high-performance sewage disposal. Setonaikai National Park maintains relatively mild temperatures throughout the year, so the climate
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#1732877338703240-572: The north, and Mie Prefecture and Nara Prefecture to the northeast. Wakayama is the capital and largest city of Wakayama Prefecture, with other major cities including Tanabe , Hashimoto , and Kinokawa . Wakayama Prefecture is located on the southwestern coast of the Kii Peninsula on the Kii Channel , connecting the Pacific Ocean and Seto Inland Sea , across from Tokushima Prefecture on
260-457: The park. Mt. Rokko Nature Conservation Center and Mt. Rokko Guide House in Hyogo prefecture are places where people can find natural specimens of Mt. Rokko. Wasuzan Business Center is in Okayama prefecture. It stands on the top of Washuzan Mountain. It is near Seto-ohashi Bridge which is a series of ten bridges between Okayama and Kagawa prefectures. The total length is 8.1 miles (13.1 km). From
280-422: The pilgrimage route known as Kumano Kodō ( 熊野古道 ) . The great Kumano Sanzan complex also includes two Buddhist temples, Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji . The religious significance of the Kumano region goes back to prehistoric times and therefore predates all modern religions in Japan. The area is still considered a place of physical healing. Each shrine initially had its own separate form of nature worship. In
300-513: The prefecture. Tomogashima (a cluster of four islands) is part of the prefecture. Wakayama Prefecture ranks first in the production of oranges in Japan. Wakayama has its own brand of oranges, which is produced in Arida District and called 'Arida-Orange'. Arida District, where oranges have been produced for more than 400 years, yields about half of the orange crops in Wakayama today. Furthermore,
320-680: The total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely the Setonaikai and Yoshino-Kumano National Parks; Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen and Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Parks; and Enju Kaigan , Hatenashi Sanmyaku , Hikigawa , Jōgamori Hokodai , Kōyasanchō Ishimichi-Tamagawakyō , Kozagawa , Nishiarida , Oishi Kōgen , Ōtōsan , Ryūmonzan , Shiramisan-Wadagawakyō , and Shirasaki Kaigan Prefectural Natural Parks. Nine cities are in Wakayama Prefecture: These are
340-464: The towns and villages in each district : Since 1996, population of Wakayama Prefecture has kept declining, and since 2010, it has been the only prefecture in Kansai region with population below 1,000,000. In 2017, Wakayama is ranked 40th by population in Japan with a population of 944,320. In the 2020 census, close to 32% of the population was over 65 years of age - the highest percentage in Japan and one of
360-455: The valleys like so many ants. Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama Prefecture ( 和歌山 県 , Wakayama-ken ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu . Wakayama Prefecture has a population of 944,320 (as of 1 October 2017 ) and has a geographic area of 4,724 square kilometres (1,824 sq mi ). Wakayama Prefecture borders Osaka Prefecture to
380-831: The yield of Arida-Oranges accounts for about 10 percent of Japanese domestic production of oranges. According to the survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Wakayama stands first in the production of Japanese apricots ( 梅 , Ume ) in Japan. As of 2016, Wakayama made up about 70 percent of Japanese domestic production of Japanese apricots. Wakayama Prefecture has friendship and sister relationships with six places outside Japan: Wakayama Prefecture has hot springs such as Shirahama , Kawayu , and Yunomine Onsen . 34°3′N 135°21′E / 34.050°N 135.350°E / 34.050; 135.350 Setonaikai National Park Setonaikai National Park ( 瀬戸内海国立公園 , Setonaikai Kokuritsu Kōen )
400-526: Was registered as a “cultural site of world heritage” by UNESCO. It is known as one of the top three “most scenic spots” in Japan. In the 1960s and 1970s, a period of rapid economic growth was fueled in Japan, resulting in industrial contamination of the surrounding environment. In both fresh and ocean waters, unmonitored chemical runoff led to reduced water quality, mainly due to area farms’ use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Detrimental levels of heavy metals began to rise, gradually affecting
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