We particularly enjoyed this walk which perfectly ended our pilgrimmage on the Kumano Kodo. We were amazed by Nachi falls! Our guide Kyoko has got a great wealth of knowledge about the Kumano Kodo and the shrines and temples along the way. She is solar and cheerful, and, despite the rain, we had a wonderful walk on the Daimonzaka trail towards the Nachi Falls. We highly recommend waking the Kumano Kodo with Kyoko, which made this day so special!

This walk focused on two of the main shrines of the Kumano Kodo, and we were very pleased with our guide, Akemi, who gave clear explanations about these sites and Japanese culture. The view from the top of the stairs at Kamikura-jinja was well worth the climb! She also took us to a very authentic shaved ice shop, where we felt truly immersed in Japanese culture. We only wished the tour had been longer so that we could explore more of Shingu and the Kumano Kodo.

This highlight walk was the perfect way to experience Kumano Kodo and was one of the highlights of our trip. The walk was not difficult but long enough to experience Kumano Kodo. We had the chance to walk on the Kumano Kodo with Misa. Misa introduced us to the Kumano Kodo, between spirituality and nature with a real opportunity to "breath out". She gave us a real immersive experience. We really want to come back and have longer walks on the Kumano Kodo thanks to her!

Akemi was our guide for the final day of our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, and while she may have found conversing in English a bit challenging at times, it honestly did not matter to us at all because she more than made up for it with her warmth, kindness, and spirit. She came across as a bit introverted, or perhaps simply careful whenever trying to answer some of our questions in English, but that only made her feel even more genuine and sincere. Despite the language barrier, her care for the group was always very clear through her actions and presence. What stayed with us most was how she saw us off all the way until the very end, waiting with us until we boarded the bus. It was a simple gesture, but one that perfectly reflected her thoughtfulness and quiet dedication. Akemi brought a calm and heartfelt ending to our pilgrimage, and we will always remember her kindness as part of our Kumano Kodo experience.

Kyoko was our guide for Day 4 of the Kumano Kodo journey, and despite an unfortunate delay at the start of the day, she immediately welcomed us with warmth and positivity. The bus we were supposed to take ended up being full, causing us to arrive more than an hour late, but Kyoko remained understanding and in high spirits throughout. Because of the delay, she had to keep a faster pace since she still needed to guide another group later that afternoon. Even then, her charm and cheerful personality still came through naturally, and she managed to keep the experience enjoyable despite the tighter schedule. What amazed us most was her energy. She remained incredibly sprightly and enthusiastic throughout the trek, and it was genuinely inspiring to see how lively and engaged she was during the entire hike. We also appreciated how open and authentic she was with us. She shared some personal stories and experiences along the way, which made conversations feel more genuine and human rather than just a standard guided tour. Kyoko’s positivity, authenticity, and energy left a strong impression on our group, and we are very thankful to have shared part of our pilgrimage journey with her.

Mitsy was probably the friendliest among all the guides we had during our Kumano Kodo journey. From the very beginning, she was incredibly responsive whenever I sent her questions, which immediately made us feel well taken care of. What impressed me even more was that she proactively arranged for our hotel van to pick us up without us even having to ask. It was such a thoughtful gesture that showed how attentive she was to our group’s needs. During the hike itself, the weather was challenging, with rain coming on and off throughout the day. Despite this, Mitsy consistently waited for the slower members of the group to make sure everyone was okay and comfortable. At one point, she even let my daughter borrow her umbrella, which was a small but very kind gesture that we truly appreciated. She also went out of her way to accompany three of my group mates who wanted to receive their dual pilgrimage credentials, even while the rain continued to pour heavily. She never made it feel like an inconvenience and remained cheerful and supportive the entire time. What really stood out was that her care for the group did not end after the hike. Even the following day, she continued giving us helpful advice regarding the buses we would be taking for the next part of our trip. Mitsy’s warmth, kindness, and genuine care for the group made a lasting impression on us, and we are very grateful to have had her as our guide.

Mariko was an amazing guide for what turned out to be the longest and most demanding hike of our five-day Kumano Kodo journey. Her cheerful and positive personality immediately set the tone for the day and somehow made the long trek feel far more manageable than we expected. At the start of the hike, she gave us a very clear and honest briefing about the trail ahead, which helped everyone manage expectations and prepare mentally for the challenge. Looking back, we also really appreciated how strongly she encouraged us to bring food for the journey, especially when some of us initially thought we could get by without lunch. It showed how experienced and thoughtful she was in looking after the group’s wellbeing. Throughout the trek, Mariko shared interesting anecdotes and fun facts, especially about the plants, trees, and surroundings we encountered along the way. These little stories made the hike feel more immersive and engaging rather than just physically demanding. What stood out most was the light and uplifting aura she brought to the group. She had a natural sense of humor and would casually make funny quips that kept the mood relaxed and positive even during the tougher stretches of the trail. Mariko’s warmth, energy, and attentiveness made a difficult day feel enjoyable and memorable, and we’re very grateful to have had her guide us through such an important part of the pilgrimage.

the entire group to prepare us for the following day, He was very careful with his words not to imply anything adverse about some members of the group Yohan was the perfect first guide for our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. As a former teacher, he brought so much depth and meaning to the experience by sharing valuable information about the pilgrimage, its history, and what makes the journey special. His explanations added another layer of appreciation to every part of the trek. What stood out even more was how considerate and attentive he was toward the group. He clearly prioritized the welfare of everyone above anything else. When he noticed that one of our group members was struggling with the pace, he discreetly pulled me aside to discuss possible alternate arrangements rather than causing any embarrassment. He also thoughtfully positioned the slower members directly behind him while asking the more agile hikers to stay at the back, which helped keep the group comfortable and supported throughout the day. At the end of Day 1, Yohan gathered everyone to prepare us for the challenges ahead. What impressed me most was how careful and respectful he was with his words. He managed to address important concerns without making anyone feel singled out or criticized, which showed genuine empathy and professionalism. Yohan’s knowledge, patience, and people skills made a huge difference in our experience, and we feel very fortunate to have had him as our guide for the first day of our pilgrimage.

We debated hiring a guide, as we are both experienced hikers and felt that wayfinding would not be a concern. But our guide was worth her weight in gold. She not only knew the location of all the stamps we had to collect for the dual pilgrim certificate, but even brought along her own ink pad to use as some of the ink pads were dried up. She gave us a lot of historical and cultural details, and pointed out many things we would have missed on our own, such as a monument to commemorate the time the current emperor walked the Kumano Kodo as a young man. She was also patient and kind, and spoke excellent English. This hike was the highlight of our trip.

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