Shingu is the type of place where the World Heritage sites will suddenly appear right around the corner when exploring around in the city. Because the city area is fairly flat, renting a bike and cycling is the best way to visit each landmark efficiently! At the Shingu City Tourist Association opposite the JR Shingu Train Station, you can rent a bicycle starting from 500 yen from 9am to 5pm.
Please visit the "Tourist Information Center" page on our website for more details about the rental bikes!
Asuka-Jinja is approximately 3 minutes from JR Shingu Station when going in the direction of the Kumano-gawa River. The shrine was recently registered as part of a World Heritage Site, and within the grounds themselves is a History & Ethnology Data Hall.
This hall showcases Shingu's religious and cultural history through displays of excavated objects of worship and ancient documents.
Pictured: Asuka-jinja Shrine
If you go past the Shingu Castle Ruins and enter a side street that approaches the river, you will find yourself at a promenade along the Kumano-gawa River. You can enjoy an invigorating bike ride as you enjoy the river view and the sea breeze all at once.
Pictured: Kumanogawa River
Moving away from the riverside promenade and back into the city, you'll come across the Nakanocho shopping street, where you will encounter plenty of scenery with a nostalgic Showa atmosphere.
Pass through some streets that take you straight back in time on your way to the World Heritage Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine. Within the lush shrine grounds, you will find the majestic Nagi tree, which is more than 1000 years old and a designated natural monument, as well as the Sato Haruo Memorial Hall and the shrine's treasure museum.
Pictured: Hayatama Taisha torii gate
Coming from Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine towards Kamikura-Jinja Shrine, you will travel southward through a residential area going past some of Shingu's various temples. At the base of the sacred Mt. Gongenyama are some intriguing temples like Zuisen-ji, Seiryo-ji, and Myoshin-ji.
Pictured: Zuisen-ji Temple
Pop off your bicycle for a moment, and have a go at climbing up the steep stone stairs, before heading for the main shrine hall of Kamikura-Jinja Shrine. Take care on these stone steps!
Once you reach the top, you'll see the Gotobiki-Iwa Rock, or the shrine's main body of worship, and be greeted by a sight of the city that you can only view from here!
