I wanted to relate a little local lore. You experienced how steep and difficult the mountains here are, so it should be no surprise that in ancient times, local clans existed everywhere and communication was not easy. When Jimmu traveled from Kyushu to Yamato, according to myth he landed on the west side of Kumano and was repulsed by the locals. Then he approached Kumano from the east, with the sun at his back, and was able to land. Again he was fought by the locals, and he killed the woman chieftain of the local clan, who was named Nishikitobe. From there he was guided by Yatagarasu, to took him to Yamato. That’s all that survives even in myth, and nothing more is known about Nishikitobe or her clan. But from that we can understand that Jimmu’s (if he even existed) journey was one of conquest. Naturally all Japanese know about Jimmu and I doubt that anyone harbors hard feelings, but you bet that the locals feel more affinity for Nishikitobe.