Mie Prefecture Kumano Kodo Center, Visitor center in Owase, Japan
The Mie Prefecture Kumano Kodo Center is a visitor facility in Owase focused on the pilgrimage trails, featuring modern wooden architecture built with local hinoki cypress trees. The building combines contemporary design with traditional building methods and provides detailed information about the hiking routes and their connection to the surrounding landscape.
The center opened in 2007 and received major architectural awards that recognized its innovative approach to presenting the Kumano pilgrimage routes. These honors reflected how the building successfully combines modern design with its mission to preserve and share knowledge about these ancient trails.
The exhibition displays traditional white pilgrim clothing, staffs, and religious objects connected to the UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes that cross the region. These items show how pilgrims have walked these paths and what their journeys meant to them over time.
The facility is located near Owase Station and can be reached easily by local transportation, with hours extending from morning into the early evening. Visitors should allow enough time to explore the exhibitions and gather information before heading out on any trails in the region.
The center displays cylinders that compare rainfall levels between regions, revealing that Owase sits in one of Japan's rainiest areas. This unusual exhibit detail shows visitors how the exceptional weather patterns shape the landscape and influence the hiking experience throughout the year.
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