Revive your spirit at the World Heritage Site of Kumano Hongu Taisha, the Sacred Place of Revival
located at Oyunohara
On Saturday, April 15th, Main Festival.
※will be held at Kumano Hongu-kan due to rain.
The Oyunohara will be held on the 16th from 6:30 p.m.
18:3０−20:００
Admission is free, but an application is required.
熊野本宮大社
Kumano Hongu Taisha
Special Screening
The Head Shrine of more than 4,700 Kumano Shrines in Japan
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, established over 2,050 years ago, is one of the three Kumano Sanzan Shrines, along with Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, which is the center of Kumano Sanzan and serves as the head shrine for all 4,700 Kumano Shrines in Japan, has earned the title of "Japan's First Great Sacred Shrine, Kumano Sanshokongen". All Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes lead to Kumano Hongu Taisha. The Honden Festival, celebrated on April 15th every year, is the most significant event at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. It is marked by several solemn rituals performed in a sacred atmosphere. As part of the Honden Festival, a special screening, talk, and singing of "LIFE®︎ Inochi Re-experiencing the Birth of Life" will take place at Oyunohara. Admission is free but an application is required.
The World Heritage
Kumano Kodo
The mountains of Kumano have long been regarded as a sacred place for the gods. According to the Chronicles of Japan, the tomb of Izanami no Mikoto, the god of state and divine birth, is located in Hana no Kutsu (cave of flowers) in Kumano City.
Kumano is a land of revival and is often referred to as "the land of resurrection." Many people have sought spiritual salvation by embarking on the arduous journey deep into the mountains. The path is steep and challenging, but it is believed that enlightenment can be achieved at the end of the challenging journey.
Nakaheji, the Kumano Pilgrimage Route, is the route that has been walked by the largest number of pilgrims. Upon completing the strenuous and grueling journey, the first destination is Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. It is said that the name "Fushikai Oji" comes from the fact that pilgrims would prostrate themselves in worship upon arriving at the shrine, as it was the final destination of their pilgrimage.
Kumano Caldera
The Kumano Caldera is the largest caldera in Japan, created by the world's largest volcanic eruption that occurred approximately 15 million years ago. The Kumano region is home to numerous hot springs, with source temperatures reaching as high as 92℃. This is due to the underground granite still radiating heat, as it has not yet fully cooled. The Kumano Caldera is truly a sacred place where the immense life energy of our planet continues to overflow.
About the Festival
For over 2,000 years, the festival has been celebrated annually at Kumano Hongu Taisha, which is one of the three Kumano Sanzan shrines and can be visited on the World Heritage Kumano Kodo Route. The festival runs for three days every April. On the evening of April 15, a special screening of "Life" will take place at Oyunohara in conjunction with the Honden Festival.
The Yatagarasu
God who leads us in a better direction.
The deity known as Yatagarasu is revered as a god of guidance in Japanese mythology. According to legend, Yatagarasu led Emperor Jinmu, who unified Japan, to the city of Kashihara in Yamato. Yatagarasu is an incarnation of the sun and is depicted with three legs, which are said to represent heaven, earth, and man respectively.
The concept of heaven refers to the heavenly deities and gods, while earth refers to the natural environment in which we live. This represents the notion that God, nature, and man are all connected as blood brothers under the sun, as was revealed over 2,000 years ago.
Yatagarasu is featured on the Japan Football Association's (JFA) national team uniform, symbolizing the god who leads the team to victory.
Location
Oyunohara
大斎原
The largest "Torii Gate" in Japan
Former site of Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
Featured
The event will begin with a talk on the history and charm of Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Oosaihara, and Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site. This will be followed by a special screening of the movie LIFE®︎.
After the screening, director Masahiko Hashimoto will perform a song for the audience. The schedule for the event is as follows:
18:30 to 19:10: Talk Event
19:15 to 19:50: LIFE Inochi Show and Masahiko Hashimoto Concert.
Ietaka Kuki
Chief priest of Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine
Masahiko Hashimoto
LIFE®︎ Inochi
Director
Manabu Mitsuishi
Chairman of the Kumano City Cultural Properties Expert Committee
Lumina
Star-Reading Artists
Sayaka
Hashimoto
LIFE®︎ Inochi
Producer
LIFE上映を旧拝殿跡にて特別に許可して頂きました。
不思議なことに天空にふたつの大きな鳥居が現れました
Register
〈Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of participants for the event will be limited〉
150 people
✳︎Please note that this registration is solely for the screening of "LIFE Inochi" and not for the Main Honden Festival. For more information on the Honden Festival, please visit the Kumano Hongu Taisha website.
※Note
As this event will be held at the sacred site of the World Heritage Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Oyunohara, we kindly request that all participants be considerate of the environment. Please help to preserve the beauty and sanctity of this important site by refraining from littering and being respectful of the surroundings. Let us all work together to ensure the preservation of this valuable cultural heritage for generations to come.
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Smoking, eating, and drinking are strictly prohibited.
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Please dispose of your trash properly, including PET bottles and other items.
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Please take your trash with you when you leave the venue.
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Please bring your own seats or chairs as there are limited seating arrangements available.
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Please note that seating is limited, so bringing your own seat or chair is highly recommended.
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In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, please follow all applicable guidelines and protocols recommended by local authorities and event organizers.
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Please wear a mask and regularly disinfect your hands and skin using hand sanitizer or other appropriate disinfectants. This will help to ensure the safety and health of all participants at the event.
Sponsored by Feel & Sense Incorporated Association
Special Cooperation by Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
Supported by Japan Association for the International Exposition, Wakayama Prefecture
Kumano Retreat (max.20people)
The following day, participants will have the opportunity to take a Kumano Kodo trip and walk alongside performers.
Mr. Manabu Mitsuishi, a key contributor to the designation of the Kumano Kodo as a World Heritage Site, will guide participants along the trail. Additionally, participants will be treated to a sound healing experience provided by performers including star reading artist Lumina and LIFE Inochi director Masahiko Hashimoto.
We invite you to participate in the
Holy Land Pilgrimage Project.
Our ultimate goal is to promote well-being not just for the present, but for the next 10 to 100 years, allowing individuals to live their lives to the fullest. To achieve this, we have launched an ART project that aims to revitalize sacred places in Japan where the wisdom of our ancestors has been preserved, while creating new value for tourism. This project is a collaborative effort that we will build and sustain together with everyone. We welcome any form of participation, including contributions towards setup, staffing, sound, and financial support.