Location / AccessLocation / Access
Nonaka is a quiet mountain village along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route.
Pilgrims have traveled here since ancient times, sustaining life alongside the path.
Historic sites symbolizing the Kumano Kodo, such as Tsugizakura-oji Shrine and Nonaka-no-Shimizu Spring,dot the area around the inn.
It remains a place where the scenery of nature and the village, noticeable only at walking pace, still endures.
Nonaka Area Map
Tsugizakura-oji Shrine
Nonaka Ipposugi
The “Nonaka Ipposugi” stands in the Nonaka settlement along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route. This giant cedar, said to be about 800 years old, is designated a National Natural Monument.
Throughout the history of pilgrimages to Kumano, it has long watched over travelers.
True to its name, its distinctive feature is a branch that stretches dramatically in one direction, a form believed to have been shaped by the surrounding terrain and natural environment.
Its rare form evokes the harshness and power of Kumano’s natural landscape.
Visitors can stop by while walking the Kumano Kodo, and it naturally draws travelers to pause and look up, serving as a symbolic landmark of Nonaka.
Nearby attractions include Nonaka-no-Shimizu Spring and Tsugizakura Oji Shrine. Visiting these sites together allows for a deeper appreciation of the history and nature of the Kumano Kodo.
Toganoki jaya
Right beside the Nonaka Ipposugi, along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, stands the Toganoki jaya.
Its charming thatched-roof appearance blends seamlessly into the ancient path’s scenery, making it a beloved spot for travelers to rest during their journey.
Around the teahouse, visitors can enjoy the changing seasons: autumn foliage in fall and fresh mountain greenery in spring. Nearby, historical sites along the Kumano Kodo trail, such as Nonaka’s Clear Water and the Nonaka Ipposugi , are also scattered throughout the area.
Stopping here during your walk allows you to fully immerse yourself in the timeless atmosphere of the ancient trail and the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Nonaka-no-Shimizu Spring
Since ancient times, this spring has flowed continuously without ever drying up, renowned as a famous water source that quenched the thirst of pilgrims journeying to Kumano.
Even today, local residents visit daily to draw water, cherishing this clear spring water as an integral part of their lives.
It has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters by the Ministry of the Environment.
Along the water’s edge, you’ll find monuments inscribed with poems composed by Matsuo Basho’s disciple Hattori Ransetsu and the poet Saito Mokichi during their visits to this place. It is also a spot where you can feel the history and culture of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
Access
1371-3 Nonaka, Nakahechi-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
For those arriving by car
From Nanki-Tanabe IC (Tanabe City) on the Hanwa Expressway or Kamitonda IC on the Kisei Expressway, about 65 minutes via Route 311.
From Hongu, about 20 minutes via Route 311.
Parking: 3 spaces (free)
For those arriving by bus
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station: Take the Ryujin Bus for about 65 minutes, get off at Nonaka Ippousugi Bus Stop, then walk about 25 minutes.
From the Hongu direction: Take the Ryujin Bus for about 45 minutes, get off at Nonaka Ippousugi Bus Stop, then walk about 25 minutes.