KUMANO TRAVEL

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 10 days in advance: 1. Make Reservation Request 2. Pay to Finalize Booking.

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News & Topics

Oct/09/2018: Because of damage to Kansai Airport there is a backlog for shipping. Therefore Pilgrim Packs are taking longer to deliver than normal. Thank you for your understanding.

Sep/14/2018: The main section of KUMANO KODO Nakahechi route is now OPEN with detours in place. Akagi-goe and Kohechi is still closed.

Please refer to the following for more information.

Sep/03/2018: Because of a large amount of reservations requests, processing times are delayed slightly. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Aug/31/2018: For those with bookings on the original KUMANO TRAVEL website, please contact us directly if you would like to download your vouchers or reservation outline, as the MyPage for previous bookings is unavailable at this time.

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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…

Amazing resource of information! We couldn't have planned the trip without it. Possibly the best community-based travel reservation site in the world! Thank you so much for giving us the tools to book locally and travel responsibly.

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!