Kumano Hayatama Taisha

One of the very famous Kumano route shrines (Sanzan). You can pick up your Kumano Kodo walk stamp. It was not spread out like other shrines. I went in Autumn and the leave colours were amazing.

A beautiful shrine breathed at the foot of the mountains. Definitely worth the visit if you're in Shingu!

Felt there was nothing extremely special about the Taisha. Conveniently beside another attraction, the shopping alley. But worth skipping even if you are passing by via car.

One of the Kumano Sanzan (3 Grand Shrines of Kumano), it is the smallest but yet most accessible which is near to a railway station. The shrine is quite quiet on weekdays, and it does not have much to see other than the building itself. Would be a good start for the 3 Shrines Journey

It’s a bit walk from the train station and most shops are closed for business but it’s still nice to visit. The temple itself is magnificent and the surrounding area is beautiful.

Lovely Shinto shrine. Small location. Popular but not crazy. Nice atmosphere. Well maintained.

Great place. If you take the walk, be prepared for a slightly higher difficulty. The nature stones are really slippery in rain, but you can easily get close via bus. Main problem might be fog. I recommend the pagoda for a great photo of the waterfall

Probably the least exciting one out of the three Kumano Taishas, it is nonetheless an important one on the trail often being the end point on the journey for ancient pilgrims ultimately reach the ocean. The kumano trail actually hugs the shoreline which is nothing short of spectacular. Coming from the mountains then ocean must've awe inspiring, making this shrine location special. But modern day railroad has made it much more accessible, and visitors could hardly appreciate the full inspirational aspect. But this is where the sacred three clawed crow landed after all (the big rock is a short walk away from the Taisha itself).