Magose-toge Pass & Iwayado A popular mountain pass on the border of Kihoku town and Owase City, the stone pavement, said to be the best in the Kumano Kodo Iseji, continues through the Owase cypress forest. Many historical sites, such as Yonaki Jizo, which is believed to have mystical power to prevent children from crying at night, giving it the atmosphere of a Kumano Kodo. Nestled halfway up Mt. Tengura, Iwayado is a sacred sanctuary where a statue of Sho-Kannon and thirty-three stone Buddhist deities are enshrined, sheltered by a colossal overhanging rock. As you light a candle in the serene shadows, the sight of these ancient stone figures—revered through generations—invites you to connect with the deep prayers and enduring spirits of those who walked this path long ago.

Ohbuki-toge Pass, Matsumoto-toge Pass and Hanano-Iwaya Shirne: Beautiful cobblestone pavement remains on most of the roads, and at the pass surrounded by bamboo groves, you will be greeted by a life-size Jizo statue. Discover the "Bamboo Grove Trail," a rare and enchanting section of the Kumano Kodo Ohbuki-toge Pass. This gentle path winds through lush bamboo forests, offering a serene atmosphere and nostalgic landscapes that are easy for all to enjoy. As you descend the mountain, the stunning white sands of Odomari Beach stretch out before you—a perfect sanctuary to soothe your feet and soul after your journey through history. Hanano-Iwaya Shrine appears as the “stage of the national birth” in the first book of Japan's first history, written in 720. This place has an important meaning as “Kumano of the Caves,” a sacred place from ancient times that preceded the Kumano worship, and is truly a place that can be said to be the roots of the Japanese people.