Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range explained

Whs:	Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
Image Upright:	1.2
Location:	Kii Peninsula, Japan
Criteria:	(ii), (iii), (iv), (vi)
Id:	1142bis
Coordinates:	33.8369°N 135.7764°W
Year:	2004
Extension:	2016
Area:	506.4ha
Buffer Zone:	12100ha

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Kii Peninsula in Japan.

Selection criteria

The locations and paths for this heritage site were based on their historical and modern importance in religious pilgrimages. It was also noted for its fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and a well documented history of traditions over 1,200 years. The nature scenery on the Kii peninsula was also taken into consideration, with its many streams, rivers and waterfalls. Technically, independent structures at nominated temples and shrines were nominated for this distinction, and not the entire establishments. Sections of the trails were included for this nomination, but not the full length of their expanses. A total of 242 elements were selected from sites and pilgrimage routes for nomination.

List of sites

Area	Cultural asset	Type	Location	Picture
Yoshino and Ōmine		natureMountain	nara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine		shrineShinto shrine	nara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine		shrineShinto shrine	nara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine		temple shugendo buddhistShugendō/Buddhist temple	nara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine		shrineShinto shrine	nara yoshino yoshinoYoshino-chō, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Yoshino and Ōmine		temple shugendoShugendō temple	nara yoshino tenkawaTenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken
Kumano Sanzan		shrineShinto shrine	wakayama tanabeTanabe-shi, Wakayama-ken
Kumano Sanzan		shrineShinto shrine	wakayama mieShingū-shi, Wakayama-ken; Kiho-chō, Minamimuro-gun, Mie-ken
Kumano Sanzan		shrineShinto shrine	wakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano Sanzan		temple tendaiTendai Buddhist temple	wakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano Sanzan		natureWaterfall	wakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano Sanzan		natureForest	wakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kumano Sanzan		temple tendaiTendai Buddhist temple	wakayama higashimuro nachikatsuuraNachikatsuura-chō, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kōyasan		shrineShinto shrine	wakayama ito katsuragiKatsuragi-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kōyasan		temple shingonShingon Buddhist temple	wakayama ito koyaKōya-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kōyasan		temple shingonShingon Buddhist temple	wakayama ito kudoyamaKudoyama-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
Kōyasan		shrineShinto shrine	wakayama ito kudoyamaKudoyama-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken
Pilgrimage Routes		trailTrail	wakayama naraVillages between Nara and Wakayama prefectures
Pilgrimage Routes	, including	trailTrail	wakayama mieAcross Mie and Wakayama prefectures
Pilgrimage Routes		trailTrail	wakayama itoVillages in Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken

See also

• Tourism in Japan
• List of World Heritage Sites in Japan

References

• ICOMOS (2004). Advisory Body Evaluation. Retrieved on 2009-07-27.
• Agency for Cultural Affairs (2003). Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, and the Cultural Landscapes that Surround Them. Retrieved on 2014-05-04.
• Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in The Kii Mountain Range - UNESCO website (2004) https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1142 Retrieved on 2018-11-4.