KUMANO TRAVEL

Journey to Kumano’s Spiritual Roots.

This highlight itinerary visits the two Grand Shrines (Kumano Hongu Taisha & Kumano Nachi Taisha) with short and scenic highlight walks.

Overnight at a hot spring village in the mountains (Kawayu Onsen) and on the coast (Katsuura Onsen) while dining on delicious local cuisine.

This itinerary focuses on the best sights and walks in a compact time frame- a great introductory visit to the sacred Kumano region of Japan.

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 consists of one shorter walk from Yunomine Onsen to Kumano Hongu Taisha, and 2 full day walks culminating with a view of Japan’s tallest waterfall at Kumano Nachi Taisha.

The names of the passes are Kogumotori-goe (Ukegawa to Koguchi) and Ogumotori-goe (Koguchi to Nachi). The Ogumotori-goe is a challenging walk with long ascents and descents.

Route: Kyoto/Osaka | Tanabe | Hongu | Yunomine Onsen | Koguchi | Nachi | Osaka/Kyoto
Duration: 4 days & 3 nights (2.5 days walking)
Overnight: Yunomine, Koguchi, Nachi
Overall Level: Advanced
Type: Self-guided or guided
Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Daily Luggage Shuttle: Available for all days
Walking Difficult: Day 1=2, Day 2=4, Day 3=5
What is walking difficulty?
Recommended For: Active Walkers

This itinerary focuses on the best sights and walks during a slower visit- a great introductory way to experience the diversity of the sacred Kumano region of Japan.

This highlight itinerary visits all three Grand Shrines (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha & Kumano Nachi Taisha), one each day, with short and scenic highlight walks around each shrine.

A traditional boat tour on the Kumano-gawa river leads to Shingu, offering an alternative perspective of the environment.

Overnight at three different hot spring village in the mountains (Yunomine Onsen & Kawayu Onsen) and on the coast (Katsuura Onsen) while dining on delicious local cuisine.

Route: Osaka | Tanabe | Kawayu Onsen | Yunomine Onsen | Katsuura | Hongu | Nachisan | Osaka
Duration: 3 days & 2 nights (2.5 days with short walks)
Overnight: Kawayu Onsen, Yunomine Onsen, Katsuura
Overall Level: Highlight/Beginner
Type: Self-guided or guided.
Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Daily Luggage Shuttle: Available for all days.
Walking Difficult: Day 2=2, Day 3=1.5, Day 4=1.5
What is walking difficulty?
Recommended For: Those who want to experience the highlights of the Kumano Kodo with short walks focused in each of the three Kumano Sanzan Grand Shrines areas.

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)