Did you know that Pilgrimage Paths to Japan covers three parts of the Kumano Kudo which allows you to be have half of the Dual Pilgrim title uner the UNSECO World Heritage pilgrimage routes. One of the conditions is that you must cover Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (~7 km) plus a visit to Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. During the last few days of the Pilgrimage we get to cover all three and along the way get the opportunity to gather stamps in a book for recording your journey. Part of the fun is finding the places where the stamps are kept and placing them in your book.
A “Dual Pilgrim” is someone who has walked both the Kumano Kodo and the Way of St.James (Camino de Santiago). This program was developed to celebrate, honor, and share the stories of those who have completed both of these UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes. Dual Pilgrims receive a limited edition “DUAL PILGRIM” pin badge and are featured on the Dual Pilgrim page of spiritual-pilgrimages.com. (Inclusion on the website is optional).
The Dual Pilgrim logo is a combination of a shell and a three-legged crow. The colors are shades of orange, often seen in beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
To receive the Dual Pilgrim status, pilgrims must complete one of the options for the Way of St. James, and one of the options for the Kumano Kodo and register. When completing the sites, you can register at the tourist office at Hongu or at Tanabe.
Meet Cathy and Phil from our 2019 Pilgrimage Paths to Japan who having completed the Way of St.James (Camino de Santiago*) in 2018 were able to become Dual Pilgrims. *The Camino de Santiago is known in English as the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. 
