Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture is home to a number of historic sites closely connected with the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the sacred Kumano region of Japan. Among the most important of these sites are the Kujūku-Ōji, a group of sacred subsidiary shrines that once guided and protected pilgrims on their journey to the Kumano Sanzan, the three grand shrines of Kumano.
The name Kujūku-Ōji literally means “99 Prince Shrines,” although the term refers collectively to numerous Ōji shrines located along the Kiiji and Nakahechi routes rather than exactly 99 shrines. From the late Heian period through the Kamakura period, members of the imperial family, aristocrats, and other pilgrims stopped at these sacred sites as they traveled toward Kumano.
The Ōji were much more than simple resting places. They were sacred sites associated with Kumano faith, where travelers prayed for safe passage, performed religious rites, and prepared themselves spiritually for the pilgrimage ahead.
Three particularly important Ōji remain in Minabe Town today: Iwashiro-Ōji, Senri-Ōji, and Minabe-Ōji. Together, they offer visitors an opportunity to experience the religious history, natural beauty, legends, and traditional culture of the Kumano Kodo.
From the Heian period through the Kamakura period, pilgrimages to the Kumano Sanzan became increasingly popular among retired emperors, members of the imperial court, and aristocrats. The journeys were long and physically demanding, yet large numbers of people traveled toward Kumano. The pilgrimage became so famous that the stream of travelers was compared to a procession of ants, giving rise to the expression “Ants’ Pilgrimage to Kumano.”
The Ōji shrines were important stops along these routes. Pilgrims would pause at each sacred site to pray, recite Buddhist scriptures, compose or dedicate poetry, and perform purification rituals. These practices reflected the unique religious traditions of Kumano, where Shinto beliefs, Buddhism, and mountain asceticism developed together over many centuries.
However, the popularity of the Kumano pilgrimage gradually declined after the Jōkyū War of 1221, as the political influence of the Kyoto court weakened. Many Ōji shrines subsequently fell into disrepair.
Further changes took place during the Meiji period, when government policies encouraged the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and the consolidation of smaller shrines. Some Ōji disappeared entirely as a result of these changes, while others were incorporated into larger shrines.
Against this historical background, the surviving Ōji in Minabe Town are especially valuable. They preserve traces of the religious landscape that once accompanied pilgrims along the Kumano Kodo.
Iwashiro-Ōji stands near the mouth of the Nishiiwashiro River, close to the coast. It is considered one of the older and more prestigious Ōji shrines along the Kumano pilgrimage route, with historical records indicating that the shrine already existed by the late Heian period.
Historical documents such as the Chūyūki and Kumano Gokōki record visits by retired emperors and aristocrats. Some accounts describe pilgrims leaving their names at the shrine and dedicating poems during their journeys.
Iwashiro-Ōji is also associated with the Heike Monogatari, the famous medieval epic about the rise and fall of the Taira clan. According to a traditional story, Taira no Koremori, a grandson of the powerful warrior Taira no Kiyomori, stopped at Iwashiro-Ōji while making his way toward Kumano.
One of the most striking features of Iwashiro-Ōji is its coastal setting. The area is surrounded by a traditional landscape of white sand and green pine trees, with the blue waters of the Pacific stretching beyond the shore.
For pilgrims traveling toward Kumano, the sea would have provided a dramatic backdrop to their spiritual journey. Standing here today, visitors can still experience the peaceful atmosphere of the site and imagine the travelers who once stopped here to pray for safety on the road ahead.
Iwashiro-Ōji was designated a Wakayama Prefectural Historic Site in 1958. The present main shrine building was reconstructed in 1776 and preserves traditional architectural features that provide an important connection with the history of the Kumano pilgrimage.
The shrine is located at 1558 Nishiiwashiro, Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. A monument associated with Prince Arima, a historical figure connected with the area, can also be found nearby, making the site an interesting destination for history enthusiasts.
Senri-Ōji stands beside Senri Beach, one of Minabe’s most scenic coastal areas. The shrine was an important stop for pilgrims traveling along the Kumano Kodo, and historical accounts indicate that retired emperors and aristocrats visited the site during their pilgrimages.
In earlier times, a route connecting Iwashiro-Ōji and Senri-Ōji followed the coastline. Parts of the former coastal route can no longer be used because of changes to the shoreline, but imagining pilgrims walking beside the ocean provides a fascinating glimpse into the experience of the medieval Kumano pilgrimage.
Senri-Ōji was also known by the name “Kai no Ōji,” or “Shell Ōji.” The name is traditionally associated with the custom of pilgrims collecting shells on Senri Beach and offering them at the shrine.
Senri Beach was also an important location for shio-kogori, a traditional purification ritual involving seawater. Pilgrims purified themselves before continuing their journey toward Kumano.
Today, the wide sandy beach and sound of the waves still create a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the same coastal environment that formed an important part of the spiritual landscape of the Kumano pilgrimage.
Senri Beach is also known for its rich natural environment. It is a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles, which return to the beach during the nesting season.
The contrast between the broad sandy shore and the blue Pacific Ocean creates a beautiful landscape where the natural environment and the spiritual heritage of the Kumano Kodo come together.
The present main building of Senri-Ōji was reconstructed in 1776. Its traditional Kasuga-zukuri architectural style is carefully preserved.
During the Meiji period, the shrine was temporarily incorporated into Suga Shrine. The sacred object associated with Senri-Ōji was later returned, allowing the site to continue its identity as an important historic Ōji.
In 2022, the remains of the northeastern pilgrimage route near Senri-Ōji were also designated as a cultural property, further highlighting the importance of the area as part of the historic Kumano Kodo.
Senri-Ōji is located at 2519 Yamauchi, Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture.
Minabe-Ōji is located near the central area of Minabe Town. The name “Minabe” is traditionally said to have originated from the appearance of Kashima Island offshore, which was thought to resemble three cooking pots placed upside down. The area was therefore once known as “Minabe,” written with characters meaning “three pots.”
Minabe-Ōji was an important destination during the medieval pilgrimage. In 1201, Emperor Go-Toba visited the shrine and is recorded as having made substantial offerings, including silk, cotton, and three horses.
Such offerings demonstrate the high status of the shrine and the importance attached to the Kumano pilgrimage by the imperial court.
Minabe-Ōji is also associated with legends concerning Oguri Hangan, a famous figure in medieval Japanese literature and folklore.
Within the grounds is a well known as Oguri’s Well. According to local tradition, Oguri Hangan drank water from this well during his travels.
Archaeological remains dating from the middle Yayoi period have also been found underground in the surrounding area. These discoveries suggest that the location had significance for human communities long before the development of the medieval Kumano pilgrimage.
During the Meiji period, Minabe-Ōji was incorporated into Kashima Shrine, and the shrine building is said to have been relocated at that time.
The present main building at Kashima Shrine is traditionally believed to be the former shrine building of Minabe-Ōji. Dating from around the middle of the 18th century, it is considered a valuable example of historic shrine architecture.
Kashima Shrine is located at 60 Kitamichi, Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture.
Senri Beach, stretching in front of Senri-Ōji, is one of the characteristic coastal landscapes of the Kumano Kodo in Minabe. Medieval pilgrims are believed to have performed seawater purification rituals here before continuing toward the sacred Kumano region.
Today, the beach remains a beautiful place to enjoy the coastline, and it is particularly attractive around sunset.
Next to Senri-Ōji is Senri Kannon, a Buddhist temple site with its own connection to the religious history of the area.
During the period when Shinto and Buddhism were closely intertwined, the Kannon site and the Ōji shrine were part of a shared religious landscape. Following the Meiji government’s separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the Buddhist site became an independent Kannon hall.
For visitors interested in the history of Japanese religion, Senri Kannon provides an opportunity to learn more about the complex traditions that shaped the Kumano pilgrimage.
Minabe Pass is another historic point along the Kumano Kodo. A Jizō Bosatsu statue has stood here for generations, watching over travelers as they crossed the mountain pass.
The statue is also known as Hone-tsugi Jizō, or the “Bone-Healing Jizō,” and has traditionally been associated with prayers for the healing of broken bones and other injuries.
From the pass, hikers can enjoy views toward the sea and experience the quiet atmosphere that characterizes the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
The Kujūku-Ōji of Minabe are far more than historic ruins. They are places where the spiritual traditions of the Kumano Kodo meet beautiful coastal scenery, medieval literature, local legends, and the everyday history of the communities that have preserved these sites.
Walking between the former pilgrimage sites allows visitors to imagine the travelers who journeyed through this landscape centuries ago. The route offers not only historic buildings and monuments, but also the sea, mountains, forests, and villages that shaped the experience of the Kumano pilgrimage.
For travelers who want to understand the spiritual history of the Kumano Kodo, enjoy peaceful coastal scenery, or experience a quieter side of Wakayama, exploring the Kujūku-Ōji of Minabe is a rewarding experience.
By visiting Iwashiro-Ōji, Senri-Ōji, and Minabe-Ōji, travelers can discover how deeply faith, nature, history, and pilgrimage culture are connected in this part of Wakayama.