A dedication screening at World Heritage Kumano Hongu Taisha

World Heritage Site

Kumano Hongu Taisha, the Sacred Site of Rebirth

Special Dedication Screening Commemorating the 130th Anniversary of Its Relocation

Venue: Oyunohara

Saturday, April 15, the day of the main shrine festival

Because of rain, the April 15 event will take place at Kumano Hongu Heritage Center.

The event at Oyunohara will take place on the 16th, from 18:30.

18:3０−20:００

Free admission; registration required

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Special Screening

The head shrine of more than 4,700 Kumano shrines across Japan

Kumano Hongu Taisha has a history of more than 2,050 years. Together, Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha form the Kumano Sanzan. All the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes lead to Kumano Hongu Taisha. At the center of the Kumano Sanzan, it is the head shrine of 4,700 Kumano shrines throughout Japan, and a venerable shrine bearing the title “Nihon Daiichi Daireigensho Konpon Kumano Sansho Gongen.” The event takes place on April 15, the day of the main shrine festival, a tradition of more than 2,000 years.

Held each April, the main shrine festival includes many solemn rituals and is Kumano Hongu Taisha’s most important annual observance.

On the evening of the main shrine festival, we will hold a special screening of “LIFE® INOCHI — Re-experience Birth,” together with a talk and singing, at Oyunohara.

Kumano Hongu Taisha

World Heritage Kumano Kodo

The mountains of Kumano have long been regarded as sacred places where deities dwell. The Nihon Shoki records that the tomb of Izanami-no-Mikoto, the deity who gave birth to the land and the gods, is at Hana-no-Iwaya in Kumano City. Beginning with the pilgrimage of Cloistered Emperor Uda in 907, members of the imperial family and aristocracy became devoted pilgrims. The custom is said to have spread to warriors and ordinary people as well.

Kumano is known as a “land of rebirth,” and many people seeking salvation journeyed deep into its mountains. The route was steep, and it was believed that enlightenment could be reached after enduring its severe hardships.

The Nakahechi is said to have been the most-traveled Kumano pilgrimage route. At the end of that demanding journey, Kumano Hongu Taisha is the first shrine pilgrims reach. The name Fushiogami-oji, the place where the shrine first comes into view, is said to come from pilgrims bowing down in worship when they finally saw it.

Kumano Caldera

Japan’s largest caldera was formed by an eruption around 15 million years ago, among the largest in the world. Many hot springs are found in the Kumano region, with source temperatures of 92°C. This is because the granite underground has not yet fully cooled and continues to release heat. It is a sacred place still overflowing with the immense life energy of the Earth.

About the Hongu Festival

The main shrine festival has continued for more than 2,000 years. The annual grand festival, held each April at Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the Kumano Sanzan connected by the World Heritage Kumano Kodo, lasts three days. Its many solemn rituals form the shrine’s most important annual observance. The special LIFE® INOCHI screening will take place at Oyunohara on the evening of the main shrine festival on April 15.

Yatagarasu

The Deity Who Guides Us in a Better Direction

Yatagarasu is deeply revered as a deity of guidance, following the story of Emperor Jimmu’s eastern expedition, in which the crow led the emperor who unified Japan to Kashihara in Yamato.

“Yata” means great and expansive. Yatagarasu is an embodiment of the sun and has three legs, which are said to represent heaven, earth, and humanity.

Heaven refers to the deities of heaven and earth. Earth means the land and the natural environment in which we live. In other words, two thousand years ago, this image expressed that the gods, nature, and people are kin beneath the same sun.

As a deity that guides people to victory, Yatagarasu appears on the chest of the Japan Football Association’s national team uniforms.

Ooyunohara

Venue

Oyunohara

Home to Japan’s largest torii gate

The former site of Kumano Hongu Taisha

Introducing the Participants

After a talk on the history and appeal of World Heritage Kumano Hongu Taisha, Oyunohara, and the Kumano Kodo, there will be a special screening of LIFE® INOCHI and singing by the film’s director, Masahiko Hashimoto.

18:30–19:10: Talk event

19:15–19:50: LIFE INOCHI screening & Masahiko Hashimoto concert

九鬼家隆

Chief Priest of Kumano Hongu Taisha

Masahiko Hashimoto

Director of LIFE® INOCHI

三石学

Chair of Kumano City’s Cultural Properties Expert Committee

Lumina

Star-reading artist

Sayaka Hashimoto

LIFE® INOCHI

Producer

We received special permission to screen LIFE at the former worship hall site.

Mysteriously, two large torii gates appeared in the sky.

Register here

Participation will be limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Limited to 150 participants

This registration is for the “LIFE INOCHI” screening.

It is not registration for the main shrine festival. For information about the festival,

please visit the Kumano Hongu Taisha website.

Guidelines for World Heritage Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara

The event will take place at the sacred World Heritage sites of Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara.

Please be considerate of the environment.

Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited, except for drinking water to stay hydrated.

Please take all litter, including plastic bottles, home with you.

Video and audio recording of “LIFE INOCHI” are prohibited.

Chairs are limited, so please bring your own seat or groundsheet.

It will be dark underfoot on the way back. Please bring a flashlight.

Please help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Please wear a mask and sanitize your hands.

Organizer: Feel&Sense, General Incorporated Association. Special cooperation: Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Supported by: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and Wakayama Prefecture