The Kumano Kodo ( 熊野古道)  is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula of Japan. These mountainous trails are used by pilgrims to the Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山), a collective term for the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano

• Kumano Hongu Taisha  (熊野本宮大社) 
• Kumano Nachi Taisha  (熊野那智大社)
• Kumano Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社)

These three shrines are the holiest sites of the ancient syncretic Kumano religion.

Pilgrims on the Kumano Kodo frequently visit Mount Kōya (高野山 Kōya-san) a, which was associated with the 8/9th cenutury Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi (弘法 大師) or Kukai (空海) and the 88-Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku

Mount Koya ( Koya-san) is a large temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan to the south of Osaka. In the strictest sense, Mount Koya is the mountain name of Kongobu-ji Temple, the ecclesiastical headquarters of the Koyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism.

Koya-san is accessible primarily by the Nankai Electric Railway from Namba Station (in Osaka) to Gokurakubashi Station at the base of the mountain. A cable car from Gokurakubashi ("Paradise Bridge") then whisks visitors to the top in 5 minutes. The entire trip takes about 1.5 hours on an express train or 2 hours by non-express.

• There is a bus which runs non-stop from Kansai Airport to Mount Koya, and it costs 2,000 yen (adult). The bus is operated by Kansai Airport Transportion and Willer Express.
• The Koyasan Marine Liner bus runs from Wakayamako Station to Okunoin Bus stop on Mount Koya, and it costs 2250 yen (adult). The bus is operated by Daiju Bus