Kumano-hayatama-taisha Shrine Mifune Matsuri

The regular festival of Kumano-hayatama-taisha Shrine is called “Kumano Hayatama Taisai”. Mifunematsuri is the final shrine ritual of the festival at which a Shinkosen with Goshintai (Object of worship) crosses Kumano River for Otabisho on the river bed. Nine Hayafune, fast-moving rowboat, race for Mifunejima Island of about one mile above the Taisha shrine on an approx. 2 km course that goes around it three times. It is said that the race originated when guiding ships for Shinkosen competed on their speed.

Kumano Sanzan (Three Kumano Grand Shrines) is composed of Kumano-hongu-taisha Shrine, Kumano-hayatama-taisha Shrine and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, plus Nachisan-Seigantoji Temple. All of them are linked by Nakahechi route of Kumano Kodo (A site of pilgrimage routes).