KUMANO TRAVEL

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Official Community Reservation System

Kumano is a spiritual region of Japan located in the southern reaches of the mountainous Kii Peninsula blessed with a rich pilgrimage tradition, isolated hot springs, and welcoming countryside hospitality.

KUMANO TRAVEL is a local, community-based initiative, created to provide quality information, services, and products so visitors can fully experience all this area has to offer.

Each request is processed personally by our passionate staff. Reservations are done in a two-step process and need to be made at least 20 days in advance: 1. Make Reservation Request 2. Pay to Finalize Booking.

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Model Itineraries
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Local Package Tours

 News & Topics

 Oct/07/2025
Riding Buses during Peak Season

 

Local buses are a great way to get around the Kumano area, but they can be crowded or full at certain times and certain stops during peak fall season.

 
 Sep/23/2025
More Fall KUMANO KODO Advanced Self-Guided Tours Available!
- Local guide just on the first day for Kumano orientation.
- Fully self-guided
- Extra day in Hongu onsen hot spring area
 
● Tours include EXCLUSIVE Official Guide Book and Kumano Kodo Bus Pass
● No single occupancy available

KUMANO KODO Exclusive Self-Guided Tour | Intermediate | 6 days | Oct/Nov 2025
● Nov 28 departure only.
●  2-4 guests (no single rooms)

Last-minute! BOOK NOW!
 Sep/21/2025

Oct 1st (Wed) 2025 KUMANO KODO ROUTE CHANGE NOTICE

The detour between Nakado-Jaya Teahouse remains and Jagata Jizo with close with the return to walking the original trail via Iwagami-oji.


More information>>

 Sep/10/2025
Notice of Change in Booking Times

Thank you very much for using our services.
Please be informed that, effective Sep 11, 2025, our booking times have changed:

＜From Sep 11, 2025 onward＞
 Every day: 9:00 – 15:00 (Japan Standard Time)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your kind understanding.
 
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 Destinations

KUMANO KODO

Pilgrimage to Japan’s Spiritual Origins

For over 1000 years people from all levels of society, including retired emperors and aristocrats, have made the arduous pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Kumano. These pilgrims used a network of routes, now called the Kumano Kodo, which stretched across the mountainous Kii Peninsula.

The walk itself was an integral part of the pilgrimage process as they undertook rigorous religious rites of worship and purification. Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is a fantastic way to experience the unique cultural landscape of Japan's spiritual countryside.

  • Kawayu Onsen

    Kawayu Onsen is a geological thermal wonder where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the crystal clear Oto-gawa river. Holes in the river bank fill with thermal waters to create personalized baths. In winter months the “Sennin-buro” transforms the river into a giant outdoor bath.

  • Yunomine Onsen

    Yunomine Onsen is a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano, one of the oldest onsen in Japan. It is an integral part of the Kumano pilgrimage tradition where hot water purification rituals were performed in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

  • Ryujin Onsen

    Ryujin Onsen is a hidden, historical hot spring settlement situated in the mountainous heart of the Kii Peninsula, famous for its beautifying mineral waters. In medieval times, it was a resort area for the Tokugawa ruling family of the Kii-shu domain, their castle being in Wakayama City.

  • Wataze Onsen

    Watarase Onsen is a beautiful hot spring featuring the largest Rotenburo open-air hot spring bath in all of western Japan. Popular with guests are the private baths, excellent for couples and families. Watching the moon rise over the mountains as you soak in this gorgeous setting is an unforgettable experience.

  • Katsuura Onsen

    Katsuura Onsen is located on the southeast coast of the Kii Peninsula. It is in essence a fishing port turned hot spring resort. The coastline is rocky and dramatic, the hot spring waters soothing, and the seafood world-class!

  • Koyasan

    Koyasan is an esoteric Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Wakayama. This religious retreat was founded in the 9th century by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s great religious leaders. Staying in a temple and experiencing the sacred ground of the expansive Okunoin cemetery are popular highlights.

  • Shirahama Onsen

    Shirahama Onsen is a developed sea-side resort located on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula. Rocky shoreline features, expansive white sand beach, hot spring baths, museums, and Adventure World zoo theme park are some of the main attractions.

  • Kawayu Onsen

    Kawayu Onsen is a geological thermal wonder where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the crystal clear Oto-gawa river. Holes in the river bank fill with thermal waters to create personalized baths. In winter months the “Sennin-buro” transforms the river into a giant outdoor bath.

  • Yunomine Onsen

    Yunomine Onsen is a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano, one of the oldest onsen in Japan. It is an integral part of the Kumano pilgrimage tradition where hot water purification rituals were performed in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

  • Ryujin Onsen

    Ryujin Onsen is a hidden, historical hot spring settlement situated in the mountainous heart of the Kii Peninsula, famous for its beautifying mineral waters. In medieval times, it was a resort area for the Tokugawa ruling family of the Kii-shu domain, their castle being in Wakayama City.

  • Wataze Onsen

    Watarase Onsen is a beautiful hot spring featuring the largest Rotenburo open-air hot spring bath in all of western Japan. Popular with guests are the private baths, excellent for couples and families. Watching the moon rise over the mountains as you soak in this gorgeous setting is an unforgettable experience.

  • Katsuura Onsen

    Katsuura Onsen is located on the southeast coast of the Kii Peninsula. It is in essence a fishing port turned hot spring resort. The coastline is rocky and dramatic, the hot spring waters soothing, and the seafood world-class!

  • Koyasan

    Koyasan is an esoteric Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Wakayama. This religious retreat was founded in the 9th century by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s great religious leaders. Staying in a temple and experiencing the sacred ground of the expansive Okunoin cemetery are popular highlights.

  • Shirahama Onsen

    Shirahama Onsen is a developed sea-side resort located on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula. Rocky shoreline features, expansive white sand beach, hot spring baths, museums, and Adventure World zoo theme park are some of the main attractions.

  • Kawayu Onsen

    Kawayu Onsen is a geological thermal wonder where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the crystal clear Oto-gawa river. Holes in the river bank fill with thermal waters to create personalized baths. In winter months the “Sennin-buro” transforms the river into a giant outdoor bath.

  • Yunomine Onsen

    Yunomine Onsen is a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano, one of the oldest onsen in Japan. It is an integral part of the Kumano pilgrimage tradition where hot water purification rituals were performed in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

  • Ryujin Onsen

    Ryujin Onsen is a hidden, historical hot spring settlement situated in the mountainous heart of the Kii Peninsula, famous for its beautifying mineral waters. In medieval times, it was a resort area for the Tokugawa ruling family of the Kii-shu domain, their castle being in Wakayama City.

  • Wataze Onsen

    Watarase Onsen is a beautiful hot spring featuring the largest Rotenburo open-air hot spring bath in all of western Japan. Popular with guests are the private baths, excellent for couples and families. Watching the moon rise over the mountains as you soak in this gorgeous setting is an unforgettable experience.

  • Katsuura Onsen

    Katsuura Onsen is located on the southeast coast of the Kii Peninsula. It is in essence a fishing port turned hot spring resort. The coastline is rocky and dramatic, the hot spring waters soothing, and the seafood world-class!

  • Koyasan

    Koyasan is an esoteric Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Wakayama. This religious retreat was founded in the 9th century by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s great religious leaders. Staying in a temple and experiencing the sacred ground of the expansive Okunoin cemetery are popular highlights.

  • Shirahama Onsen

    Shirahama Onsen is a developed sea-side resort located on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula. Rocky shoreline features, expansive white sand beach, hot spring baths, museums, and Adventure World zoo theme park are some of the main attractions.

  • Kawayu Onsen

    Kawayu Onsen is a geological thermal wonder where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the crystal clear Oto-gawa river. Holes in the river bank fill with thermal waters to create personalized baths. In winter months the “Sennin-buro” transforms the river into a giant outdoor bath.

  • Yunomine Onsen

    Yunomine Onsen is a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano, one of the oldest onsen in Japan. It is an integral part of the Kumano pilgrimage tradition where hot water purification rituals were performed in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

  • Ryujin Onsen

    Ryujin Onsen is a hidden, historical hot spring settlement situated in the mountainous heart of the Kii Peninsula, famous for its beautifying mineral waters. In medieval times, it was a resort area for the Tokugawa ruling family of the Kii-shu domain, their castle being in Wakayama City.

  • Wataze Onsen

    Watarase Onsen is a beautiful hot spring featuring the largest Rotenburo open-air hot spring bath in all of western Japan. Popular with guests are the private baths, excellent for couples and families. Watching the moon rise over the mountains as you soak in this gorgeous setting is an unforgettable experience.

  • Katsuura Onsen

    Katsuura Onsen is located on the southeast coast of the Kii Peninsula. It is in essence a fishing port turned hot spring resort. The coastline is rocky and dramatic, the hot spring waters soothing, and the seafood world-class!

  • Koyasan

    Koyasan is an esoteric Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Wakayama. This religious retreat was founded in the 9th century by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s great religious leaders. Staying in a temple and experiencing the sacred ground of the expansive Okunoin cemetery are popular highlights.

  • Shirahama Onsen

    Shirahama Onsen is a developed sea-side resort located on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula. Rocky shoreline features, expansive white sand beach, hot spring baths, museums, and Adventure World zoo theme park are some of the main attractions.

 Book Local

Why KUMANO TRAVEL

KUMANO TRAVEL is the official community reservation system for the region, an international award-winning new model of grassroots tourism development. By making reservations locally with KUMANO TRAVEL you are directly supporting our community. Thank you!

More reasons to book local: Quality Personal Service, Intimate Knowledge, Locally Owned & Operated, Travelers’ Safety Net, Responsible & Sustainable, Freedom to Discover, Secure Booking, Onsite Travel Support Center…

How to Book


Reservations are made in a two-step process: 1. Make Reservation Request 2. Pay to Finalize Booking. Select your desired accommodation, tour & activity, or travel service to add to your shopping cart. Once you have added all of your products and services make a reservation request. When the reservation is processed, full payment is made to confirm the booking.

Model Itineraries are sample travel plans to help you organize your trip. You can use them as they are or adjust them to your needs. It is a simplified way to add products and services to your shopping cart. The ultimate tool to personalizing your journey to Kumano!

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