In particular, Yoshino and Omine of southern Nara Prefecture and Kumano Sanzan (three major shrines, Kumano-Hongu-Taisha, Kumano-Hayatama-Taisha and Kumano-Nachi-Taisha) in Wakayama Prefecture have been long regarded as sacred places for a mountain religion, and practitioner training Buddhism in mountains and forests called yamabushi and ascetic Buddhist monk were engaged in activities there.
中でも奈良県南部の吉野・大峯や和歌山県の熊野三山は、古くから山岳信仰の霊地とされ、山伏、修験者などと呼ばれる山林修行者が活動していた。