Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center

The Kumano Kodo Center, located about 10 minutes by local bus from JR Owase Station, was established in 2007 as a business center aimed at regional revitalization, commemorating the 2004 UNESCO World Heritage registration of the Kumano Kodo as part of "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." It provides information on history, nature, and culture for people visiting the Kumano Kodo, and it also serves as a place for local residents to gather, hold activities, and connect with one another. The facility includes an "Exchange Building" where a variety of events are held, an "Exhibition Building" with a video hall where you can view high-definition footage of Kumano Kodo landscapes, and a "Research & Storage Building" with a library and archival resources for study and learning—open for anyone to use. The airy, open-feeling architecture uses 6,549 locally grown Owase hinoki cypress trees, each with a certificate of origin, drawing attention as a notable piece of architecture as well. Free audio guides are also available in six languages, so international travelers can enjoy the experience with confidence.