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UNESCO Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Revitalizes Rural Wakayama

NACHIKATSUURA, JAPAN - JUNE 19: A large stone statue of a smiling Hotei (the laughing Buddha) sits prominently in the foreground on an overcast day at the Seiganto-ji Temple complex in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, on June 19, 2026. This wide-angle perspective captures the stone monument alongside a row of small Jizo statues, with the brilliant vermilion-red three-story pagoda and the rolling, forested ridges of the Kii Mountain Range serving as a stunning backdrop for outdoor tourists and spiritual pilgrims exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13867917
Date Taken	19 June 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Artur Widak/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Artur Widak/NurPhoto

Art Asia Buddha Buddhism Buddhist Building Carving Deity Destination Exterior Famous Foliage Forest Happiness Historic History Hotei Japan Jizo Kii-mountains Kumano Kodo Monument Mountain Nachikatsuura Nature Overcast Pagoda Religion Scenic Sculpture Seiganto-ji Shrine Smiling Spiritual Statue UNESCO Vermilion Viewpoint Wakayama Wilderness World ancient architecture backdrop foreground green heritage icon iconic landmark landscape laughing-buddha outdoor red sacred scenery stone tiered-roof trail trees view woods Laughing Buddha Seiganto-ji Temple Wakayama Prefecture Stone Statue Jizo Statues Vermilion-red Pagoda Three-story Pagoda Kii Mountain Range UNESCO World Heritage June 19 2026 Artur Widak