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UNESCO Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Revitalizes Rural Wakayama

NACHIKATSUURA, JAPAN - JUNE 19: Visitors and spiritual pilgrims walk past a traditional 'Chinowa' (large sacred thatch ring made of cogon grass) set up for the summer purification ritual in the main courtyard of Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, on June 19, 2026. Set against the backdrop of the historic Shinto shrine's brilliant vermilion-red pavilion buildings and dark tiled roofs, the seasonal ring allows outdoor tourists and worshippers to perform a symbolic figure-eight walk to cleanse themselves of misdeeds and bad fortune before entering the sacred spaces of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kii Mountain Range pilgrimage network. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13867887
Date Taken	19 June 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Artur Widak/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Artur Widak/NurPhoto

Full Length Full Body Asia Chinowa-kuguri Courtyard Historic History Japan Kumano Kodo Kumano Nachi Taisha Nachikatsuura Pavilion Religion Seasonal Shinto Shrine Spiritual UNESCO Vermilion Wakayama Walking Worshippers ancient architecture bamboo buildings ceremony chinowa cleansing culture festival green heritage landmark outdoor pathway pilgrimage purification red ritual sacred scenery stone thatch-ring tile-roof trail Summer Purification Ritual Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Wakayama Prefecture Shinto Shrine Vermilion-red Pavilion Tiled Roofs Figure-eight Walk Cleansing Ritual UNESCO World Heritage Kii Mountain Range Pilgrimage Network Artur Widak NurPhoto