Location: Shingu
Top Things to do in Shingu
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The 5 Best Free Things to do in Shingu, Kinki
Shingū is a city located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1933.
As of October 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 28,749 and a population density of 110 persons per km². The total area is 255.43 km².
Restaurants in Shingu
1. Kamikura Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Intending to visit the Kii Peninsular for a few days in mid-July, I initially toyed with the idea of walking the full Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. Given my age (late 60's), a lack of overall fitness following some serious medical issues and the prevailing heat and humidity at this time of year, common sense eventually prevailed and I opted for a few less strenuous days in Wakayama and Takamatsu respectively. Not prepared to give-up entirely on the Kumano; whilst in Wakayama, I thought I would extract some value from my 5-day JR Rail Pass and make the lengthy (3-hrs each way by Limited Express Kuroshio) but very scenic journey to Shingu. Arriving in Shingu, I first called-in at the Shingu City Tourist Information Centre (located immediately opposite the entrance to the JR Station) and picked-up a very useful 'Walking Map of Shingu' (available in various languages) which suggested a walking route which takes in all three Shingu Shrines. The suggested route of approx. 6km has an estimated completion time of 80mins, and talks in terms of 40mins to ascend/descend to/from the Kamikura Jinja Shrine. With temperatures in the 30's (deg C) and my phone app reading "feels like 43 deg", I opted to tackle the 'difficult' climb up to the Kamikura Jinja Shrine first. The description of "538 steep stone steps" is slightly misleading in that rather than even, consistent steps, these are rough hewn stones where the rise can vary anywhere from 100mm to 400mm. For me the ascent was beyond 'difficult', through 'gruelling' and into the 'brutal' category! You definitely need to make use of one of the walking sticks kindly left at the base by other travellers. With frequent stops every few metres to towel-down, take-on water or converse with other foreigners (I think everybody I met took the opportunity to stop and talk a while .... anything to take a break from this arduous climb!), the ascent alone must have taken the best part of an hour. On reaching the top, although only around 100m above the starting point, I felt the tremendous elation of a full cardio workout with tremendous views as a bonus. By the time I had carefully descended, it was time to head back to the JR Station to catch my train back to Wakayama. Although I missed out this day on the other Shingu Shrines, I was hardly disappointed after such a challenging experience.
2. Ruins of Shingu Castle
3. Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 309 reviews
In ancient times the three gods (Kumano-Hayatama-no-omikami,Kumano-Musubi-no-omikami,Ketsumi-Miko-omikami) came down from the heavens to the sacred rock named Gotobiki at Mt.Kamikura.This rock is the object of worship and the origin of Kumano faith. Later, our ancestors built a new shrine at Shingu in the beauteous land named Kumano. They moved the three gods from Kamikura to enshrine them here at Kumano Hyatama Grand shrine. Now visitors can greet the gods here. People in this region have been praying with reverence and gratitude while offering blessings of nature to the gods ever since. Ceremonies of purificasion continue to be held ,for these rituals are the most striking feature of Shinto The Kumano-Hayatama Grand Shrine's history is steedped in the principles of pure nature worship. The name of our city "Shingu" means "new shrine," which includes the profound meaning whose primitive belief had changed into Shintoism.
Reviewed By roboesGistel - Gistel, Belgium
This shrine is part of the "Kumano Sanzan" ( = 3 main Kumano shrines ), the center of Kumano worship.They are part of the famous Japanese pilgrimroute "Kumano Kodo" which runs through the Kii Peninsula and can be compared with the Santiago de Compostella pilgrim route.The shrine lies on the shore of he Kumano-gawa = river and you can walk here in 20-30 minutes from Shingu station. The shrine ( or Budhist temple ) dates from the 12th century and its grounds are spacious; the architecture has a magnificent style. On the grounds is a "Nagi tree with a trunk circumference of 6 meter and is believed to be 800 years old. " Pilgrims and Emperors have left offerings which are on display in the Treasure House. Entrance to see the treasures is 500 yen ; the grounds of the temple are free to visit.
4. Asuka Shrine
5. Jofuku Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 60 reviews
