This study aims to clarify the way of participation of the local people on the developing heritage management plan through the case study on the Kumano pilgrimage route Iseji. It became more important to emphasise the role of community in the heritage conservation context, but it needs further analysis of the change of the contents written on the management plan through the years. The “Kumano-Kodo Action Program” is a good example because it has four editions in 10 years. As a result of this study, local people was the main organiser at the first edition, but regional government gradually became the main organiser at the later versions. The first version required local people and visitors the responsibility for the conservation of heritage and natural environment, but the later editions prize the residents for their voluntary activities and promote the hospitality for the visitors. It can be said that management plan needs the way of checking the situation of implementation and that continued participation of the local people for the developing the management plan is essential for the continued participation of the local people in the management activities.
