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UNESCO Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Revitalizes Rural Wakayama

YUNOMINE ONSEN, JAPAN - JUNE 18: Mineral-encrusted terraces of the natural thermal springs run beneath pipes below Toko-ji Temple in the mountain village of Yunomine Onsen, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, on June 18, 2026. This unique UNESCO World Heritage-listed pilgrimage network utilizes its famous hot spring geology and heritage sites to attract a steady influx of high-spending international trekkers, directly funding the operation of traditional family-owned ryokans and driving sustainable economic development across the rural valleys of the Kii Peninsula. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13858722
Date Taken	18 April 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Artur Widak/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Artur Widak/NurPhoto

Adventure Buddhist Business Camino Commerce Deposit Destination Economy Fiscal Flag Hotspring Income Industry Influx Japan Kodo Kumano Market Mineral Mountain Multi-day Onsen Pavilion Pipe Roof Route Ryokan Santiago Source Sustainable Temple Toko-ji Tokoji Tourism Traveler UNESCO Wakayama Yunomine algae architecture banner community development expenditure foreign heritage hiking hospitality infrastructure international local pilgrimage regional revenue rural spending terrace thermal trail trekking village water Mineral-encrusted terraces Natural thermal springs Toko-ji Temple Wakayama Prefecture UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage network Hot spring geology Heritage sites International trekkers Traditional ryokans Sustainable economic development Kii Peninsula Artur Widak NurPhoto