Dual Pilgrim and Kumano Kodo Stamp Books
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On the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route, there are two stamp books that let you record your walk and receive a certificate. One is the Dual Pilgrim Credential (free), for those who also walk the Way of St. James. The other is the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Stamp Book (熊野古道中辺路押印帳, 100 yen), for collecting 41 stamps along the Nakahechi route.
Choose the Dual Pilgrim Credential if you aim to become a Dual Pilgrim, and the Stamp Book if you aim to complete the Nakahechi route. Some pilgrims collect both.
| Option | Route | Requirement | Stamp book to get before you walk | Certificates you can get | Goods you can get after finishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ① | Nakahechi | Walk from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~38 km) Collect 18 stamps. |  Dual Pilgrim Credential | Dual Pilgrim Taiko Ceremony Certificate of Completion Dual Pilgrim List |  The Great Golden Scallop Shell (all given out; no longer available) |
| ② | Nakahechi | Walk between Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hongu Taisha (~30 km) Collect 10 stamps. | |||
| ③ | Nakahechi | Walk from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~7 km), and visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha Collect 10 stamps. | |||
| ④ | Kohechi | Walk between Koyasan and Kumano Hongu Taisha (~65 km) Collect 10 stamps (one in each section). | |||
| ⑤ | Ohechi | Visit two or more sites on the Ohechi route in Tanabe, and visit all three Grand Shrines Collect 10 stamps (including any two of 12 Ohechi sites). | |||
| ⑥ | Nakahechi | Collect all 41 stamps on the Nakahechi route |  Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Stamp Book 熊野古道中辺路押印帳 (Japanese Language Only) |  Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Complete Walk Certificate (Japanese Language Only) |  Golden OFUDA (mini), 2,750 yen incl. tax (for sale) |
About ① to ⑤
- For ① to ⑤, you must have already met the requirement of the Way of St. James.
- For the full stamp lists and details, see the official Dual Pilgrim page by the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau.
About ⑥
- The list of all 41 stamp locations on the Nakahechi route is available from Wakayama Prefecture (PDF, in Japanese).
- If you collect the stamps in order, the first one is at Inabane-oji (stamp ①), and there is no place to buy the stamp book around there. In Kii-Tanabe, some accommodations sell it, so please get yours there before you start.
Where to get them
Get your stamp book before you start walking, so you can stamp from the very first site. You receive your certificate after you finish, at one of the centers below.
Dual Pilgrim Credential | Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Stamp Book 熊野古道中辺路押印帳 (Japanese Language Only) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to get the stamp book | 📍TANABE Tourist Information Center (next to JR Kii-Tanabe Station) 9:00–18:00 📍Kumano Hongu Heritage Center 9:00–17:00 📍Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center (next to Takijiri-oji) 8:00–17:00, closed Dec 29–31 📍Shingu City Tourist Information Center 9:00–17:00 📍Nachi-Katsuura Tourism Association information center (next to JR Kii-Katsuura Station) 9:00–18:00 📍Koyasan Central Information Center 📍Koyasan Tourist Information Center (Free. Some accommodations in Tanabe also have it.) | 📍Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center (next to Takijiri-oji) 8:00–17:00, closed Dec 29–31 📍Kumano Hongu Heritage Center 9:00–17:00 📍Shingu City Tourist Information Center 9:00–17:00 📍Nachi-Katsuura Tourism Association information center (next to JR Kii-Katsuura Station) 9:00–18:00 📍Daimon-zaka Chaya 9:00–16:00 (100 yen each. Some accommodations also sell it.) |
| Where to get the certificate | 📍TANABE Tourist Information Center (next to JR Kii-Tanabe Station) 9:00–18:00 📍Kumano Hongu Heritage Center 9:00–17:00 (Register here after completing both routes. Please bring proof of completing the Way of St. James, such as your stamp book or certificate. A photo is fine.) | 📍Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center (next to Takijiri-oji) 8:00–17:00, closed Dec 29–31 📍Kumano Hongu Heritage Center 9:00–17:00 📍Shingu City Tourist Information Center 9:00–17:00 📍Nachi-Katsuura Tourism Association information center (next to JR Kii-Katsuura Station) 9:00–18:00 (Bring your stamp book with all 41 stamps.) |
| Where to get the goods | The Great Golden Scallop Shell: all given out. | Golden OFUDA (mini), 2,750 yen: 📍Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center (next to Takijiri-oji) 8:00–17:00, closed Dec 29–31 |
