Hongu

Hongu (本宮町 Hongū-chō) is a mountain village in Wakayama Prefecture. It belongs to the city of Tanabe but is 60 km distant from the city center, so it is covered here as a separate destination.

It was a town located in Wakayama prefecture. On May 1, 2005 Hongū, along with the village of Ryūjin, from Hidaka District, the town of Nakahechi, and the village of Ōtō, both from Nishimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe.

Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine is the main destination of this area. It is one of the Kumano Sanzan and is a holy place that has been visited by many people since the Heian period.

The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

90 minutes by bus from Shingu Station.

Map of Hongu

• 33.840476135.773051 Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社). A Shinto shrine in the mountains with a giant torii. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

• 33.82919135.7577221 Tsuboyu (つぼ湯). A 1300 year old hot spring, considered to be one of the oldest in the nation, it is listed as part of the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route as it was frequented by pilgrims traveling on the Old Kumano Road (Kumano Kodo). To access the bath, you must get a timed usage ticket from the ticket office and be ready to enter from the time on your ticket.  (updated Jan 2025)

• 33.812863135.7749281 Fujiya Ryokan (川湯温泉 冨士屋), ☏ +81 735-42-0007.  
• 33.812841135.7742282 Ashita no Mori (ペンション あしたの森), ☏ +81 735-42-1525.  
• 33.813035135.7698063 Sansuikan Kawayu Midoriya (山水館 川湯みどりや), ☏ +81 735-42-1011.  
• 33.812686135.7688174 Sansuikan Kawayu Matsuya (山水館 川湯まつや), ☏ +81 735-42-1004.  
• 33.812856135.7692985 Sansuikan Kawayu Kinokuni (山水館 川湯きのくに), ☏ +81 735-42-0353. (Closed temporarily).  

Yunomine Onsen was discovered about 1,800 years ago, and it is thought to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.

• 33.828532135.7571546 Ryokan Adumaya/Minshuku Adumaya-so (旅館あづまや/民宿あづまや荘), 122 Yunomine Hongu-chō, ☏ +81 735-42-0012, [email protected].  
• 33.824055135.7537567 Ryokan Yunomine-so (湯の峰荘), 437 Shimoyukawa Hongu-chō, ☏ +81 735-42-1111, [email protected].  
• 33.829572135.7576118 Ryokan Yoshinoya (よしのや旅館), 359 Yunomine, Hongu-chō, ☏ +81 735-42-0101.  

• 33.81967135.765229 Wataze Outdoor Campsite (おとなしの郷キャンプ場), ☏ +81 735-42-1777.  

• Tanabe
• Shingu
• Nachikatsuura
• Totsukawa
• Shirahama
• Minabe
• Hidakagawa
• Kamitonda
• Aridagawa