KUMANO TRAVEL

This itinerary is based around one half day walk and two full day walks on the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha, with an overnights in Takahara, Nonaka area, and finally in Yunomine Onsen after the walk.

Route: Kyoto/Osaka | Tanabe | Takahara | Nonaka | Hongu | Yunomine Onsen | Osaka/Kyoto
Duration: 4 days & 3 nights (2.5 days walking)
Overnight: Takahara, Nonaka, Yunomine Onsen
Overall Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Type: Self-guided or guided.
Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Daily Luggage Shuttle: Available for all days.
Walking Difficult: Day 1=2.5, Day 2=3.5, Day 3=4
Recommended For: Active Walkers

This itinerary is based around two full day walks on the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha, with an overnight in Tanabe City before the walk, and one Yunomine Onsen after the walk.

Route: Kyoto/Osaka | Tanabe | Takahara | Nonaka | Hongu | Yunomine Onsen | Osaka/Kyoto
Duration: 4 days & 3 nights (2 days walking)
Overnight: Tanabe, Chikatsuyu, Yunomine Onsen
Overall Level: Intermediate/Advanced (Advanced if walk the full day on Day 2.  Shorterning Day 2 makes for more of an intermediate walk)
Type: Self-guided or guided
Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Daily Luggage Shuttle: Available for all days
Walking Difficult: Day 2=3, Day 3=4.5
What is walking difficulty?
Recommended For: Active Walkers

This itinerary included a variety of experiences related to the ancient Kumano pilgrimage.

Walks on the main portion of the Nakahechi pilgrimage, including visits to all three Kumano Grand Shrines, a trip on a traditional boat, and a few nights in onsen villages to enjoy the hot springs.

There is a diversity of walks: a bit of challenge (first two days) with some steeper climbs and descents (without being exhausting!) and easier highlight walks around the shrine areas (last 3 days).

Route: Kyoto/Osaka | Tanabe | Takahara | Chikatsuyu | Hongu | Yunomine Onsen | Shingu | Katsuura | Nachi | Osaka/Kyoto
Duration: 5 days & 4 nights (all 5 days have walks)
Overnight: Takahara, Chikatsuyu, Yunomine Onsen, Katsuura
Overall Level: Intermediate
Type: Self-guided or guided
Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Daily Luggage Shuttle: Available for all days
Walking Difficult: Day 1=2.5, Day 2=3, Day 3=2, Day 4=1.5, Day 5=1.5
What is walking difficulty?
Recommended For: Those who are good walkers looking for a bit of challenge (first two days), but also highlight walks (last 3 days)