Kumano Kodo – Tour Overview

Over 1000 years of history as people from everywhere including Emperors and aristocrats have made the pilgrimage to Kumano (Nachi Falls) These pilgrims used a network of routes of what we now call Kumano Kodo which stretch across the mountains of Kii Peninsula.
Along the pilgrim walk they undertook an arduous religious worship, purification and rites of passage walking the ancient Kumano Kodo is an amazing experience not just the unique trail, spiritual countryside but the families running the guesthouse along the way too. July 2004 Kumano Kodo pilgrim routes were registered with Unesco World Heritage as part of the sacred sites pilgrim routes of the Kii Peninsula.
The Nakahechi Pilgrim route of which is the most popular starts from Kii Tanabe on the west coast of the peninsula and traverses over the mountainous route to the grand shrines of Kumano. Started in the 10th Century the Nakahechi route was popular amount the imperial family on pilgrimages to Kyoto, this trail has lodgings in little villages along the way making it ideal for multi day walks.

The original pilgrimage actually started in Kyoto at the Jonan-gu shrine where pilgrims took a boat down the Yodo-gawa river to Osaka where they began their journey to Kii Tanabe before turning east and onto the Nakahechi pilgrim route proper!

Takijiri-oji, one of the many Oji shrines, marks the entrance of the pilgrim walk to Kumano and is a popular starting point for modern-day pilgrims.　Takijiri-oji to Tsugizakura-oji passes through the communities of Takahara and Chikatsuyu. From Tsugizakura-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha there are many ups and downs on the trail before arriving at the shrine. Dainichi-goe and Akagi-goe are routes running through Yunomine Onsen, a hot spring village with 1800 years of history.

After paying tribute at Kumano Hongu Taisha, pilgrims travelled by boat down the Kumano-gawa River to Kumano Hayatama Taisha. A visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha completed the pilgrimage. Now is your opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those very same pilgrims!
Kumano Kodo – Day 1 – Arrival in Osaka

Upon your arrival at Osaka Airport, one of our representatives will meet you and assist you with boarding the right train or shared shuttle bus to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Osaka
Meals: None

Kumano Kodo – Day 2 – Breifing and start of walk 4km(B)

This morning an early start by taking the train to Kii Tanabe, full details will be provided, as its a local train simply purchase your tickets on the day. About 2.5 hours scenic train ride to Kii Tanabe where you will recieve a detailed brief and information pack on your upcoming walk.

After your breifing you are ready to hike! Take a short bus ride (purchase tickets on the bus) to the start of the walk at Takijiri Oji on the side of a river, explore the temple and Kumano Kodo centre before hitting the trail for the 4km to Takahara. Today starts with a steep climb but rest assured all worth it as the Takahara Kumano-jinja shrine is one of the oldest along this section of the Kumano Kodo and has huge Camphor trees. The small village of Takahara offers fantastic views of the mountain range.
Takahara is known as “Kiri-no-Sato” (Village in the Mist) because the scenic mountain vistas are often blanketed with mist. The valley below sometimes fills with fog, creating a beautiful sea of clouds.

Overnight in Takahara
Meals: Dinner

Tip: Stay at Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge its an accommodation in Takahara village. The panoramic views from the lodge are breathtaking, especially when the valley is filled with morning mist. It was built in 2007 by the Wakayama Prefectural Government and is made of local wood. The water for the hot spring bath comes from Wataze Onsen in Hongu. Many of the ingredients for the delicious meals are produced locally and is sometimes refered to as the “Organic Hotel” and my favourite place to stay along the trail.

Kumano Kodo – Day 3 – Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji 14km (B)

After breakfast start walking from Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji a 14km undulating walk through a mix of forrest and mountain glimpses, old trails and centuries old shrines, taking lunch along the way at a secluded forest stop (your choosing) before arriving at your accommodation in Tsugizakura-oji

Checkin to your room and relax in a hot spring (onsen) and melt away any aches and pains! (An “Onsen” is a Japanese cultural icon. The term refers to a hot spring and all of the facilities at them)

Overnight Tsugizakura-oji
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Kumano Kodo – Day 4 – Tsugizakura-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha to Yunomine (B,D)

Today is a highlight, not only do you get to walk through beautiful forest, gaze across mountain tops and marvel at some beautiful ancient shrines you also finish at the revered Hongu Taisha then take a short bus ride up to Yunomine to your accommodation. Yunomine is a hot spring (Onsen) village steeped in history.

Yunomine is a quaint little collection of Japanese inns in a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano. The waters here are said to change color seven times over the course of a day. Yunomine Onsen was discovered about 1,800 years ago, and it is thought to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. Now its your turn to relax and enjoy this lovely little village Japanese style!

Overnight Yunomine
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Tip: For a relaxing Kumano Kodo take an extra night in Yunomine and explore the village, Hongu Taisha and various hot springs, it even has one in a river!

Kumano Kodo – Day 5 – Yunomine Onsen to Ukegawa to Koguchi 13km (B)

Todays walk is a feast for the eyes, glorious views over the mountains, beautiful forest walking, lakes, rivers and lunch along the way, a beautiful relaxed days walking, yes a few climbs but you have time on your side and a special treat in store with accommodation tonight being an old renovated school. A long downhill section brings you to a bridge over the Kumano Gawa river before coming into the Lodge

Overnight in Koguchi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Tip: Take an extra night to explore Shingu a great place to wander the streets in your Yukata or hire a bike and explore the coastline. (Yukata is Japanese summer weight Kimono)

Kumano Kodo – Day 6 – Koguchi to Nachi 14.5km (B)

Your last day walking starts with an early breakfast and yes this is your hardest day but also most rewarding, starting out a your Lodge a steep climb out of the valley and quickly are on top the mountain ranges where you remain for most of the day, undulating with magnificent views across mountain tops in the distance, before coming to a amazing lookout point just before Nachi, the end of your pilgrimage is within sight, the magnificent Kumano Nachi Taisha stands in front of a roaring waterfall. Explore at your own pace as your accommodation is right in the middle of Nachi making an easy and relaxing evening.

Overnight in Nachi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Kumano Kodo – Day 7 – Departure for Osaka or Kyoto onward travel(B)

This morning after a typical Japanese breakfast make a last visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha and the waterfall before walking downhill to Kii Katsuura Station buy a local ticket on the day about 2.5 hours scenic train ride back to Osaka

Tip: Take the bus downhill to the station, 1st it saves plenty of time, 2nd the walk is not scenic especially after what you have just walked along!
Kumano Kodo – Accommodation:
All accommodation is depending on standard required however from small family run Japanese Inn (Minshuku) to commercial larger Japanese Inns (Ryokan) all offer meals and some offer pre purchased lunch packs, meal requests ie vegetarian etc can be accommodated. Most accommodations have their own Japanese hot spring (onsen) which all in all provides and magnificent Japanese cultural experience. Some accommodation has shared bathrooms others private.

Kumano Kodo – Food:
All food along the Kumano Kodo is Japanese style, meal requests can be made. Kumano Kodo is a great place to enjoy the delicious traditional cuisine of the Japanese countryside, both from the sea and from the mountains. The rich Kuroshio ocean current sweeps across the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula bringing with it a plethora of fresh seafood. The surrounding lush mountain side has a long culinary history of cooking with wild plants and animals.

Kumano Kodo – Inclusions
Inclusions for your private Kumano Kodo journey is 6 nights accommodation twin share being 1 night 3-3.5 star hotel in Osaka, 5 nights along the Kumano Kodo staying in traditional style accommodation, dinner and breakfast daily as itinerary, lunch packs where available, GPS track set up with your Android or Apple device (no data required) full indepth breifing at Kii Tanabe prior to the walk and full information pack on travelling Japan and what to pack.

Kumunao Kodo – Luggage Transfers
Luggage transfers can be arranged, depending on how many days on average each transfer is about $17 yes you can skip a couple of nights or just send on each day, luggage transfers in Japan are both safe and efficient and highly recommended for those not used to carrying a light backpack. Assitance will be given on what to take and how to pack.

Kumano Kodo – Prices

From $1390 per person twin share

Prices as per inclusions above. All prices are based on two walkers sharing accommodation twin share. All prices subject to currency fluctuations, availability and change. Please contact us for a quote.

Handy links:
More about Yunomine Onsen village: http://www.hongu.jp/en
More about Hongu Taisha shrine: http://www.hongutaisha.jp/
More about Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine: http://kumanonachitaisha.or.jp/
The etiquette of using a Japanese Onsen: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20120307-travelwise-the-etiquette-of-japanese-onsen