The Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) and the Koya Sankeimichi (高野参詣道), routes that represent Wakayama Prefecture and have more than 1,000 years of history, are partly registered as a World Heritage Site under the name "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." The Kii Mountains receive a lot of rain throughout the year, so soil easily washes off the paths and erosion is common. Ongoing maintenance is essential to keep the routes in good condition.
Wakayama Prefecture is currently carrying out conservation activities with the help of companies and members of the public to protect these pilgrimage routes and pass them on to future generations. As part of these efforts, the "Environmental Conservation Trekking" (環境保全トレッキング) for fiscal 2026 (Reiwa 8) lets participants walk the Kumano Kodo and the Koya Sankeimichi while taking part in maintenance work along the way. Four courses are scheduled.
1. Koya Sankeimichi (Mitani-zaka and Hatcho-zaka)
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:40 AM to 1:00 PM (tentative)
- Route: Niutsuhime Shrine (丹生都比売神社, formal worship) → Mitani-zaka (三谷坂, conservation work) → Ropponsugi (六本杉) → Futatsu Torii (二ツ鳥居) → Hatcho-zaka (八町坂, conservation work) → Niutsuhime Shrine
- Meeting and dismissal: Meet and disband on site
- Details: Course flyer (PDF)
2. Kumano Kodo Kiiji Route (Iwashiro Station to Minabe Station)
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9:50 AM to 1:20 PM (tentative)
- Route: Iwashiro Station (岩代駅) → Senrigahama (千里ヶ浜, lunch) → Minabe Oji (三鍋王子) → Minabe Station (南部駅)
- Meeting and dismissal: Meet and disband on site
- Note: Participants bring their own lunch.
- Details: Course flyer (PDF)
3. Kumano Kodo Ohechi Route (Nagai-zaka)
- Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8:40 AM to 2:00 PM (tentative)
- Route: Susami Station (周参見駅, by bus) → Nishihama entrance (西浜入口) → Tao no Toge (タオの峠, conservation work) → Wabuka River Oji Shrine (和深川王子神社, lunch) → around Chayanodan (茶屋の段, conservation work) → Mirozu Station (見老津駅)
- Meeting and dismissal: Meet and disband on site
- Note: Participants bring their own lunch.
- Details: Course flyer (PDF)
4. Kumano Kodo Kiiji Route (Yata Pass)
- Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 9:25 AM to 12:30 PM (tentative)
- Route: Fuseya Station (布施屋駅) → visit to the former Nakasuji residence (旧中筋家住宅) → Yata Pass (矢田峠, conservation work) → Itakiso Shrine (伊太祁曽神社)
- Meeting and dismissal: Meet and disband on site
- Details: Course flyer (PDF)
How to Join
For details on each course, see the recruitment flyers linked above and the recruitment page of Nankai International Travel Co., Ltd. (株式会社南海国際旅行). The treks are a chance to walk the pilgrimage routes and help protect them at the same time.
- Recruitment page: Nankai International Travel Co., Ltd. (株式会社南海国際旅行) trekking page
