Using visitor-employed photography to study the visitor experience on a pilgrimage route - A case study of the Nakahechi Route on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network in Japan

This study contributes to route management by offering valuable perspectives on the current conditions of the landscape. Our results suggest that planners and managers should aim to enhance the quality of open views. Moreover, they should address the contextual meanings of landscape attributes and create more interactive opportunities for visitors to explore and engage with local cultures.