Wakayama World Heritage Center, Visitor centre in Tanabe, Japan
Wakayama World Heritage Center is an information facility in Tanabe dedicated to the cultural and natural heritage sites of Wakayama Prefecture. The exhibition halls present details about the Kumano shrines, Koyasan with its temples, and the pilgrimage routes through multimedia displays.
The center was established in 2005 to preserve knowledge about the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and sacred sites in the Kii Mountains. Its creation was part of a wider effort to document this regional heritage for future generations.
The exhibitions show how the three Kumano shrines and Koyasan have held spiritual meaning for pilgrims across centuries. Visitors learn how these sacred places shaped people's beliefs and continue to do so today.
The center provides maps and guides to the pilgrimage routes and sacred sites explained in the exhibitions. Visitors should allow time to explore the multimedia displays and gather information before heading out on the routes.
The center features a theater with experiences that let visitors explore the historical development of Wakayama Castle and the surrounding mountain landscape. This interactive element helps visitors understand the connection between the sacred sites and local history.
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