Spiritual Heartland Kumano Kodo Trek - 6 days | Advanced
Local Package Tours
Description
The journey begins with a purification ceremony, and consists of 4 full-day walks, culminating with a view of Japan’s tallest waterfall at Kumano Nachi Taisha.The following days include walks from Yunomine Onsen to Kumano Hongu Taisha, over the Hatenashi-toge Pass (Yakio to Totsukawa Onsen), along the Kogumotori-goe (Ukegawa to Koguchi) and challenging Ogumotori-goe (Koguchi to Nachi) routes.
Overnights feature hot spring baths and delicious, authentic Japanese food. An immersive experience for the adventurous pilgrim.
Being fit and prepared is important. Use public transport to shorten or skip walks if needed.
Price
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Tour Overview
This is an active, immersive journey for the intuitive traveler. Be purified before your challenging pilgrimage.
Trek the mountains along the Kumano Kodo from village-to-village, traversing sacred peaks while visiting two grand shrines.
Stay in local villages featuring three onsen hot springs and authentic cuisine!
Join us for this once-in-a-life-time journey and make your visit to Kumano truly unique!
WHEN | Year-round |
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ROUTE | Tanabe | Yunomine Onsen | Kawayu Onsen | Hongu | Koguchi | Nachisan | Katsuura |
DURATION | 6 days & 5 nights |
OVERNIGHT | Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen x2, Koguchi, Katsuura Onsen |
ROOMS | Twin shared |
OVERALL LEVEL | Advanced |
TYPE | Day guided. |
DAILY LUGGAGE SHUTTLE | Available for all days. |
RECOMMENDED FOR | Active walkers, with experience doing multiday walks in a mountain environment. |
Day guided by Kumano Kodo local guides
5 Nights of accommodation
5 Suppers, 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches
Daily luggage shuttles (1 piece per guest)
Transportation according to itinerary during the tour from arrival at Kii-Tanabe station to departure at Kii-Katsuura station.
All ceremonies, activities and entrance fees
Train tickets to Kii-Tanabe before tour and train ticket from Kii-Katsuura at end of tour
Transporation not included in the itinerary
Miscellaneous personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, shopping, etc.
Travel insurance (please purchase this before your trip)
● The Kumano Kodo is a mountain trail with sections unpaved, uneven surfaces of dirt, roots and cobblestones. Please wear appropriate footwear.
● For clothes it is best to bring layered clothes, such as a fleece jacket and an outer shell. Snow is rare in the mountains of the southern Kii peninsula, but if there are chances of freezing overnight. More weather information.
● Some accommodations have shared facilities such as hot-spring baths. Here is a detailed overview on how to take a Japanese bath
● Tour itinerary may change depending on local circumstances and/or weather.
Any questions? Contact us!
- DAY 1
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Train from Osaka/Kyoto to Kii-Tanabe (~3 hrs)
Pick-up tour documents at Tanabe Tourist Information Center
Drop off bags at KUMANO TRAVEL Support Center for luggage shuttle to accommodation
Pilgrimage purification ceremony at Tokei-jinja
Bus from Kii-Tanabe to Yunominse Onsen (~2 hr)
Stay in Yunomine Onsen (Ryokan Adumaya, Ryokan Yunomineso, or similar)
- DAY 2
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Meet guide at your accommodation
Walk from Yunomine Onsen to Hosshinmon-oji (~7 km, ~3-4 hr)
Walk from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~7.5 km, ~2-3 hr)
Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara
Bus from Hongu to Kawayu Onsen (~20 min)
End of guide service
Stay in Kawayu Onsen (Fujiya Ryokan, Kawayu Midoriya, or similar)
- DAY 3
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Meet guide at your accommodation
Bus from Kawayu Onsen to Yakio (~30 min)
Walk Kohechi-Yakio to Totsukawa Onsen (~11km, ~7hr)
Bus from Totsukawa Onsen to Kawayu Onsen (~1 hr)
End of guide service
Stay in Kawayu Onsen (Fujiya Ryokan, Kawayu Midoriya, or similar)
- DAY 4
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Meet guide at your accommodation
Bus to Ukegawa (~5 min)
Walk Kumano Kodo Ukegawa to Koguchi (~13 km, 4.5~6 hr)
End of guide service
Stay in Koguchi (Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie or similar)
- DAY 5
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Meet guide at your accommodation
Walk Kumano Kodo Koguchi to Kumano Nachi Taisha (~14 km, 7~9 hr)
Visit Kumano Nachi Taisha
Bus from Nachisan to Kii-Katsuura (~25 min)
End of guide service
Stay in Katsuura (Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima or similar)
- DAY 6
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- (OPTION) Exclusive Seasonal Tour of Hidden Nachisan (~4 km, ~5 hr)
Train from Kii-Katsuura to Shin-Osaka
Itinerary Map

Highlights

Tokei-jinja Purification Ceremony
Traditional Shinto ceremony at Tokei-jinja.
Soak in Yunomine Onsen
Japan’s spiritual hot spring on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route with over 1800 years of history.
Eat local cuisine
Immerse yourself in Japan’s country side culinary traditions.
Stay in a diversity of accommodations
From hot spring Japanese inns in the mountains, to family run guest houses along the pilgrimage route: There is a diversity of authentic lodging along the way
Day Guided
Journey with Kumano Kodo local guides.