Kumano Hongu Taisha is one of three famous Shinto shrines in the Kumano region. It serves as the head shrine of over 3000 Kumano shrines across Japan and enshrines its own deity, as well as the deities of the other two Kumano shrines, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, and the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Kumano Hongu Taisha is located at the centre of the Kumano Kodo network of pilgrimage routes. Visitors who wish to experience a pilgrimage trail, but are pressed for time, can walk to the shrine via the seven-kilometre route between Hosshinmon Oji and HonKumano Hayatama Taisha.