Japan's first emperor, who established the nation via the land of Kumano

Emperor Jimmu

Launching a military expedition eastward from Hyuga (present-day Miyazaki Prefecture), he battled bravely through many lands before reaching Kumano. Guided by the sacred three-legged crow Yatagarasu, he overcame numerous ordeals to become the first emperor of Japan.

Legends of Higashikishu

Later to become Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor, Kamu-yamato Iware-biko and his three elder brothers launched a military expedition eastward from Hyuga (present-day Miyazaki Prefecture) in search of the best place from which to rule Japan. Landing at Naniwasaki (present-day Osaka Prefecture), they were heading for Yamato (present-day Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture) when they were attacked by fierce warriors who killed one of the elder brothers. They then sailed around the Kii Peninsula with the intention of landing at Kumano but encountered a storm on the Kumano-nada in which the remaining two elder brothers died.

According to legend, Kamu-yamato Iware-biko landed at Tategasaki in the Arasakanotsu area of Kumano (present-day Nigishima Town, Kumano City). Guided by the sacred three-legged crow Yatagarasu, he is said to have overcome many difficulties before reaching Yamato, where he became Japan's first Emperor, Emperor Jimmu.

The Nigishima Matsuri (Festival) features a competition between two boats from Akoshi-jinja and Muroko-jinja, where the Emperor's two brothers who drowned are enshrined. The festival was held annually until 2010 to reenact the actions of the local villagers setting off in boats to rescue Kamu-yamato Iware-biko's party, which had encountered a storm on the Kumano-nada.

Places where you can meet Emperor Jimmu!AR Spot Introduction

Sone Jiro-zaka Taro-zaka along the Kumano Kodo Iseji

This mountain pass connects Owase City and Kumano City. The name Jiro-zaka Taro-zaka is derived from the words “Jiryo” (“own territory”) and “Taryo” (“other territory”) because the pass lies along the ancient border between Shima Province and Kii Province. Along the path are monuments erected to pray for the safety of pilgrims and branch-twined hedges to protect the terraced fields from animal damage. Traveling in the direction of Kumano, you exit the pass in the town of Nigishima. Emperor Jimmu was rescued from the storm by Nigishima residents, and he landed at nearby Tategasaki.

QR code locations

Sone Jiro-zaka Taro-zaka
Commemorative stamp stand located near the pass (near the pavilion)

Near Tategasaki-iriguchi (entrance to Tategasaki)
Tategasaki-iriguchi Parking on National Route 311, toilets near Tategasaki-iriguchi (entrance to Tategasaki)

Access to
Sone Jiro-zaka/Taro-zaka

To the trailhead

Public transportation

(To Kata side trailhead) About a 30-minute walk from JR Kata Station
(To Nigishima side trailhead) About a 15-minute walk from JR Nigishima Station

By car

(To Kata side trailhead) About a 5-minute drive from the Kata Interchange on the ocean side
(To Nigishima side trailhead) About a 10-minute drive from the Kumano-Atashika Interchange on the ocean side on National Route 311 in the direction of Kata

Parking

(Kata side trailhead ) Drive from the Kata Interchange on the ocean side and then turn right at the T-junction. The space is immediately on the left.
(Nigishima-side trailhead) Drive from the Kumano-Atashika Interchange on the ocean side along National Route 311 in the direction of Kata until you arrive at Taro-zaka-hiroba.

From the trailhead
to the AR spots

About a 60-minute walk from the Kata-side trailhead
About a 75-minute walk from the Nigishima-side trailhead

Links to related information

https://kumanokodo-iseji.jp/kumanokodo-iseji/root8/

Access to near Tategasaki-iriguchi (entrance to Tategasaki)

By car

(From Owase) About a 20-minute drive from Kata Interchange on National Route 311 in the direction of Atashika
(From Shingu) Drive for about 15 minutes from the Kumano-Atashika Interchange along National Route 311 and then turn left at the T-junction.