158762

Kumano Kodo, Wakayama

Name: Daimon zaka
Type: tourist attraction
Address: Ugui, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan
Website: http://www.qkamura.or.jp/en/news/detail.asp?id=120
Prefecture: Wakayama

Kumano Kodo Daimon-zaka 熊野古道　大門坂

Daimon zaka, one of the hiking trails of the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site in Wakayama Prefecture. It is a 600-meter long stone staircase leading to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. You will experience a unique atmosphere. As if traveling through time back to the old days of Japan. The entrance to Daimonzaka has a huge twin pine tree that is over 800 years old.

Kumano Kodo Walk, Daimon-zaka to Nachi Falls (Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji Temple). The Daimon-zaka slope is an ancient stone staircase lined with centuries-old trees, leading from the valley bottom to the base of the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine complex. This walk climbs these worn cobblestone stairs, and visits the Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji temple, and Nachi Falls, the tallest in Japan at 133 meters high.

Daimon zaka is an impressive cobblestone staircase slope which runs from the base of the valley to Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto ji Temple and Nachi waterfall.

It is lined with centuries old Japanese cedars, cypress, camphor trees and bamboo groves. Daimon zaka means large gate slope referring to a gate that once stood nearby. This is an excellent short walk on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

The actual stone staircase is about 600 meters long with 267 stairs. At the base of the slope is the impressive Meitosugi, husband and wife cedar trees whose roots are entwined beneath the path. Close by is the Daimon zaka chaya where you can rent Heian period kimonos, great for some memorial photos. Near the top of the slope you can catch your first glimpse of the awe inspiring Nachi falls.

At the top of Daimon zaka, you can continue upstairs another 20 minutes to the shrine complex area and visit Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji Temple. It is probably best to climb the stairs to the shrine grounds first, and then walk down beside the pagoda to the falls. There are some souvenir shops along the way and some small restaurants at the top.

October and November are popular months to visit as during autumn and the colours throughout the forest are stunning. The Kii Peninsula area is fairly mild year round and autumn colours appear slightly later than in many other parts of Japan.

Get There

By Train:

• Kii Katsu Ura station ticket gate
• Kiikatsu Urastation ⇒ Daimonzaka (Bus / Arrival time is 12:29pm)
• Daimonzaka, Nachi Falls and Nachi Taisha Shrine (4.5 hours)
• Daimonzaka ⇒ Kii Katsu Ura station

Other Detail:

1. By Use 5 Day JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass 

Nachi City, Wakayama Prefecture

• Osaka Sta. — ico_exp (Osaka Loop Line 16 min.) → Tennoji Sta. — ico_jr (Ltd.Exp. Kuroshio 3 hours 35 min.) → Kiikatsuura Sta. — ico_bus (bus 20 min.) → Daimonzaka Chushajo-mae bus stop.

Stay in Katsuura City

• Jinja-Otera-mae bus stop — ico_bus (bus 30 minutes) → Kiikatsuura Sta.

How to get there: (Daimonzaka Chushajo-mae)

• 10 minutes walk from Daimonzaka Chushajo-mae bus stop

Organized sightseeing walking tours from “Daimon zaka” to “Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine,” “Seiganto-ji Temple,” and “ Nachi Falls

JR West, Kyoto/Osaka

• From Osaka take the express Kuroshio
• Tennoji -> Kii-Tanabe (1hr 45min)
• Shin-Osaka -> Kii-Tanabe (2 hrs)

Some trains terminate at Shirahama, others Kii-Kastuura.

From Kyoto take the express Kuroshio

• Kyoto ->Kii-Tanabe (2 hrs 35min). Not all trains run to/from Kyoto, but begin/end in Shin-Osaka.
• There are many trains that run between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.

From Nankai (train between Osaka and Koyasan)

• Trains from Osaka (Namba station) to Koyasan are run by the Nankai train company.
• The train stops at Gokurakubashi station, connecting to a short cable car ride to Koyasan station.

NOTE: This is not a JR line, so JR passes cannot be used.