Kumano Shrine Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan

Kumano Shrine is a type of Shinto Shrine.

Kumano Sanzan

The three Kumano Sanzan shrines are the Sōhonsha ("head shrines") of all Kumano shrines and lie between 20 to 40 km from each other. They are connected to each other by the pilgrimage route known as "Kumano Sankeimichi". The great Kumano Sanzan complex also includes two Buddhist temples, Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji.
The religious significance of the Kumano region goes back to prehistoric times and therefore predates all modern religions in Japan. The area was, and still is, considered a place of physical healing. Each shrine initially had its own separate form of nature worship, but in the 10th century, under the influence of Buddhism, the three came to be worshiped together as the three deities of Kumano.

Photographed on 10 18 2009 using;
Canon EOS 400D SLR Digital Camera and Tamron Tele Macro Lens. Full Auto.