KUMANO TRAVEL

Support Local Residents

Local residents are vital to the success of regional preservation and development. Cooperating with and supporting them is an extremely important part of the KUMANO TRAVEL philosophy. Without them the integrity of this World Heritage cultural landscape is lost. Since the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau’s inception, we have been holding workshops and seminars for local businesses and groups involved in the tourism industry to share knowledge, ideas, and know-how. We will continue to support the local population's needs with the utmost consideration and respect into the future.

Support Visitors

For visitors to fully experience the area they need quality information, services, and products. To help maximize visitor satisfaction we strive to provide these via our website and reservation system, from the initial planning stage to the end of the trip, and beyond. Supporting every visitor to the best of our ability is our priority. In return, we ask your cooperation to respect the local people and culture, and travel responsibly.

Contribute to Sustainable Tourism Development

The preservation of natural, cultural and spiritual heritage is of paramount importance to the region. Nature is the heart and soul of the Kumano faith, a value that our community has passed on from generation to generation. However, without economic development, rural areas are disappearing. KUMANO TRAVEL is dedicated to working with local residents and visitors to reach the sensitive balance between the three: natural, cultural and spiritual heritage, will striving for quality, localized economic stability.

Lofty Goals

The Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau is a tiny office with a huge mission—to develop and promote Japan's remote spiritual heartland into a quality, sustainable tourism destination open to the world.

Two Sides Enhanced

In 2004 this region was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and in 2005 a major political merger of four rural communities and Tanabe City took place. These dramatic changes required a new and innovative approach to tourism development.

Tanabe City created an office to oversee the city and region in totality; a half-public, half-private entity called the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau—the first of its kind in Japan.

Joining Forces

Through strategically planned projects with a diversity of stakeholders, the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau is building a strong foundation for a sustainable future by preserving cultural heritage, cultivating human resources, and developing effective tourism systems.

Core Development

Developing the region's tourism infrastructure and supporting local citizens are the core pillars of action. Tourism infrastructure includes signage, information centers, heritage displays, public transportation, reuse of older homes for accommodations, etc. Grassroots development initiatives include innovative training seminars, and the KUMANO TRAVEL Community Reservation System—a bilingual website for local businesses to connect with the growing online market.

Worldly Cooperation

The Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau is the founding member of a pioneering joint promotion project with the Turismo de Santiago de Compostela—successfully joining the Way of St. James and the Kumano Kodo, the only two major pilgrimage routes registered as UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscapes.

Inspiring Leadership

Rural Japan is diverse and culturally rich, but oftentimes it has not reached its full potential or is in danger of destruction. Because of the positive and effective new model of community-based tourism developed by Tanabe City, the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau is a leaders in the field, speaking at seminars and lectures over 100 times a year across Japan and internationally; sharing their idea and philosophies, and inspiring other communities to thrive.