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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 News & Topics

 May/28/2025
Reserve JR Kuroshio Seats in Advance 
 
There has been a significant increase in demand for southbound JR Kuroshio limited express train tickets from the Osaka area to Kii-Tanabe Station due to a surge in domestic travel to a local zoo and theme park near Tanabe whose popular pandas are returning to China soon, causing them to sell out early.
 
It is recommended to purchase these seats in advance, particularly for morning departures, as it has been harder to secure them last minute. This is highly recommended for guests planning to hike on the day they arrive, or have reserved daily luggage shuttle.
 
Weekend trains are especially affected.
NOTE: Kuroshio seats are reserved seating only.
 Jan/09/2025

【Updated Reservation Site Operation Hours】

Thank you for visiting our site!  The KUMANO TRAVEL Community Reservation Site is currently operating with set operational times.  

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

【Booking Times】
 Daily 9:00 to 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)

Only during this time frame the KUMANO TRAVEL site is open for reservation requests.

For current users access to your MyPage, including MyChat, changes and cancellations are possible anytime with no closure period.

NOTE: We cannot receive any last-minute reservation requests by e-mail or phone.

 Oct/21/2024
Please Book in Advance

Currently, there is no last-minute onsite booking office at the Kii-Tanabe Station area.
The KUMANO TRAVEL Travel Support Center has been closed since the pandemic.

Reservations should be made at least 20 days in advance through the online KUMANO TRAVEL Community Reservation System.
Reservations cannot be taken by email or over the phone.

Luggage storage and general tourist information are still available at the TANABE Tourist Information Center next to JR Kii-Tanabe Station. Business hours: 9:00-18:00, every day, year-round.

Thank you for your understanding.
 Oct/21/2024
Processing Times

Please note that we are currently experiencing an extremely large volume of reservation requests, therefore processing times are taking longer than normal and may take up to 30 days. We will make every effort to process reservations and prioritize the reservation process depending on the reservation received date and traveling date.

KUMANO TRAVEL does not make reservations in real time because we do not hold or stock rooms as many of the accommodations in our community are small, family-owned establishments that do not use computers often.
 
The fall season 2023, September through November, (especially October) is very busy in the smaller communities, such as Takahara, Koguchi, etc.  Here is an article to walk the Kumano Kodo while staying in places with more lodging capacity.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this recovery period.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
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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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