Editorial photo #13867902 Human Interest
UNESCO Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Revitalizes Rural Wakayama
NACHIKATSUURA, JAPAN - JUNE 19: Framed by the geometric, vermilion-red eaves of a temple gate structure in the foreground, outdoor tourists and spiritual pilgrims walk across the open courtyard toward the historic main hall of Seiganto-ji Temple in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, on June 19, 2026. This high-angle perspective shows hikers carrying daypacks navigating the temple grounds, which feature traditional stone lanterns, tall white ritual banners, and dark thatched roofs, showcasing the seamless architectural connection between this Buddhist temple and the adjacent Shinto shrine grounds within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kii Mountain Range pilgrimage network. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
