KUMANO TRAVEL

 Description

 Itinerary Map

 Highlights

• Option 1
  Airplane from Haneda Airport to Nanki-Shirahama Airport (JAL213)

   Depart: 7:40 Haneda Airport
   Arrive: 8:55 Nanki-Shirahama Airport

  *Not included in the tour price
• Option 2
  TRAIN FROM OSAKA TO KII-TANABE (JR Kuroshio 1)

  

   Depart: 7:34 Shin-Osaka
   Depart: 7:40 Osaka
    Depart: 7:57 Tennoji

    Arrive: 9:58 Kii-Tanabe

  
  The JR train travels down the west coast of the Kii peninsula. 
  
  As you head south the scenery changes dramatically from the large urban centers to agricultural and natural regions, with distinctively less populated mountains. 
  
  Watch for terraced orange and ume orchards along the way.
  
  TIP: Sit on the right hand side of the train for the best views.
  

  Train Timetable Search Engines

  *Not included in the tour price
• VISIT TANABE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
  

  

  This information center is next to the Kii-Tanabe station as you exit on the left.
  
  There are paper copies of maps and transportation timetables as well as Dual Pilgrim credential to collect stamps along the trail. 
  
  This is the best place to get the most up-to-date information before you begin your walk!
• VISIT TANABE

  Tanabe is a small coastal city on the west side of the Kii Peninsula, well known for its agricultural products such as ume (Japanese Apricots) and oranges, as well its fresh seafood. 
  
  The downtown area is located southwest of the Kii-Tanabe train station, from which a ten minute walk leads to the Ogigahama beach.  
  
  Near the station is Tokei-jinja, a main shrine at the junction of the Nakahechi and Ohechi routes.  
  
  INTERESTING FACT: Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of the Aikido martial, was born in Tanabe.
• SUPPER

  The entertainment area in front of the JR Kii-Tanabe station is called “Ajikoji” and is packed with over 200 restaurants and Japanese style pubs (Izakaya).
  
  It is considered to be the most concentrated of its kind for a city of this size in the entire country of Japan. Every alley is full of quaint places to eat and drink.
  
  Many restaurants have English menus.  Ask at the information center for recommendations.
  
  Kanpai!
• OVERNIGHT IN TANABE

  There are a diversity of guesthouses and business style hotels in Tanabe. 

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Give your bags directly to your reserved daily luggage service provider in front of the TANABE Tourist Information Center to be delivered to your accommodation.
  
  TIP: Daily luggage shuttle is convenient and highly recommended: to be able to walk freely without the worry of your bags.
• Meet Guide

  Meet guide at accommodation lobby at 7:30.
  The guide will meet you at the accommodation lobby, will guide you to the station bus terminal, and make sure you board your public bus. After re-grouping at Takijiri your tour begins and the guide will escort you to Chikatsuyu accommodation.
• BUS FROM KII-TANABE STATION TO TAKIJIRI (Meiko Bus)

  

   Depart: 8:02 Kii-Tanabe

   Arrive: 8:40 Takijiri

  
  Busses depart from bus stop two in front of the station. 
  
  PRICE: 970 yen
  

  Bus Timetable #1
  How to Ride a Local Bus

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• WALK KUMANO KODO - TAKIJIRI-OJI TO CHIKATSUYU

  

   Distance: ~14 km
   Time: 6~8 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~1010 m
   Elevation Loss: ~840 m
  
  This is a short but steep uphill walk from Takijiri to the ridge top settlement of Takahara.  From Takahara the trail continues over a pass arriving in Chikatsuyu village.
  
  NOTE: The trail starts off with a challenging grade so set a slow, easy pace, watching your steps on the rocks and roots.

  Kumano Kodo Map 1
  Kumano Kodo Map 2
• VISIT KUMANO KODO KAN PILGRIMAGE CENTER

  The round Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center is located across the river from Takijiri-oji.
  
  There are introductory exhibitions in Japanese and English about the pilgrimage route.  
  
  Toilets and vending machines are available.
  

  Kumano Kodo Kan
• VISIT TAKIJIRI-OJI

  Takijiri-oji is one of the main trailheads of the Nakahechi route.
  
  It is here that the passage into the sacred mountains begins—the entrance to the abode of the gods and Buddhist paradises of rebirth.
  
  There were once extensive halls, a bath house, lodgings for pilgrims, and residences for priests, priestesses and monks in the area.
  

  Takijiri-oji
• VISIT TAKAHARA

  

  Takahara is a small settlement on a ridgeline with panoramic views of the Hatenashi mountain range. 
  
  It is the site of the mystical Takahara Kumano-jinja shrine, one of the oldest buildings along this section of the pilgrimage route. The shrine grounds are home to giant camphor trees, over 800 years old!
  
  Takahara is known as "Kiri-no-Sato" (Village in the Mist) because the scenic vistas are often blanketed with mist. The valley below dramatically fills with fog, creating a beautiful sea of clouds.

  Takahara
• VISIT CHIKATSUYU

  The village after Takahara is Chikatsuyu where the clear Hiki-gawa river runs through the valley.
  
  Pass through Chikatsuyu towards Tsugizakura-oji.

  Chikatsuyu Map
• OVERNIGHT IN CHIKATSUYU

  There are some minshuku guesthouses and rental houses in Chikatsuyu.

   Minshuku Inn or Shared rental house in Chikatsuyu (Japanese style room with shared toilet and bath)
  
  

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• Option 1 (Highlight Walk)

  WALK KUMANO KODO - HOSSHINMON-OJI TO KUMANO HONGU TAISHA

  

   Distance: ~7.5 km
   Time: 2~3 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~190 m
   Elevation Loss: ~460 m
  
  The section from Hosshinmon-oji and Hongu is popular with a diversity of forested trail and settlement scenery.  This a good option to give more time to experience the shrines and sites in Hongu.  Take a local bus from Chikatsuyu-oji to Hosshimon-oji.
  
  BUS FROM CHIKATSUYU TO HOSSHINMON-OJI (Ryujin Bus)
  

    Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
    Arrive: 8:37 Hosshinmon-oji

  PRICE: 970 yen
  
  NOTE: With this shorter walk often people include the Dainichi-goe route in the afternoon (Hongu to Yunomine Onsen) (~2 km, 1~2 hr).
  

  Kumano Kodo Map

  Walk Options

  Bus Timetable #1

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• Option 2 (Intermediate Walk)
  WALK KUMANO KODO - DOYUKAWA-BASHI BUS STOP TO KUMANO HONGU TAISHA

  

   Distance: ~17 km
   Time: 6~9 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~770 m
   Elevation Loss: ~1170 m
  
  BUS FROM CHIKATSUYU TO DOYUKAWA-BASHI (Ryujin Bus)
  

   Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
   Arrive: 7:33 Doyukawa-bashi

  PRICE: 280 yen

  Kumano Kodo Map 1
  Kumano Kodo Map 2
  Walk Options
  Bus Timetable #1

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• VISIT KUMANO HONGU TAISHA
  

  

  One of the three grand shrines, Kumano Hongu Taisha stands on a small ridge line in the north of the Hongu village.
  
  The austere pavilions are made of wood with impressive cypress bark roofs; it's architecture style dating back over 800 years.
  
  Watch for the sacred symbol of Kumano, the Yatagarasu three-legged crow.
  

  Kumano Hongu Taisha

  Hongu Map
• VISIT KUMANO HONGU HERITAGE CENTER

  

  This visitor center is on the east side route 311 across from the Kumano Hongu Taisha grand shrine. 
  
  It has detailed information and exhibits about the area in English. 

  
  HOURS: 9:00~17:00 (open year-round)
  
  NOTE: Registration as DUAL PILGRIM takes place here.  It takes at least 15 minutes and cannot be mailed out.

  Kumano Hongu Heritage Center
  Dual Pilgrim
• VISIT OYUNOHARA

  

  Kumano Hongu Taisha was originally located at Oyunohara, a sandbank at the confluence of the Kumano-gawa and Otonashi Rivers.
  
  Legend has it that the Kumano deities, in the form of three moons, descended into the branches of a giant oak tree in this clearing.
  
  All of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes lead to this sacred site.
  
  The entrance to Oyunohara is marked by the largest Torii shrine gate in the world (33.9 meters tall and 42 meters wide). It is a formalized gateway that designates the entrance to a sacred area and signifies the division of the secular and the spiritual worlds.

  Oyunohara
• Option 1
  BUS FROM HONGU TO YUNOMINE, WATARASE AND KAWAYU ONSEN (Nara Kotsu)

   Depart: 16:58 Hongu Taisha-mae

   Arrive:  17:09 Yunomine Onsen

   Arrive:  17:17 Watarase Onsen

   Arrive:  17:19 Kawayu Onsen

  
  Busses depart from in front of the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center. 
  
  PRICE: 310 yen
  
  NOTE: After the 16:58 bus there is a long wait until the next one.
  
  

  Bus Timetable #11

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• OVERNIGHT IN YUNOMINE, KAWAYU OR WATAZE ONSEN

  There is a diversity of accommodations in Yunomine, Kawayu or Wataze Onsen such as Ryokan inns, Minshuku lodgings.

  Stay: Wataze/Watarase Onsen (Ryokan), Japanese style room with ensuite toilet

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• 　

  BUS FROM ONSEN AREA TO BOAT CENTER

  Arrive: 8:31 Yunomine Onsen

  Arrive: 8:37 Wataze Onsen

  Arrive: 8:39 Kawayu Onsen

  Depart: 9:08 Michi-no-eki Kumanogawa Boat Center

  
  
  Busses originate from in front of the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center. 
  
  PRICE:From Hongu: 940 yen, Yunomine area: 1,060, Wataze: 930, Kawayu: 870
  

  Bus Timetable #4
• TRADITIONAL BOAT RIDE ON KUMANO-GAWA RIVER

  

    10:00~11:30

  Historically pilgrimage travelled by boat between Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.
  
  These tours follows the same route in flat bottom wooden boats.
  
  This is an excellent way to view the spiritual landscape from the river like pilgrims past. 
  
  
• VISIT KUMANO HAYATAMA TAISHA

  One of the three Kumano grand shrines, Kumano Hayatama Taisha is located at the mouth of the Kumano-gawa river.
  
  The bright vermillion colors accent the surrounding forest.
  
  Watch for the ancient Nagi tree whose leaves were used as amulets.
  

  Kumano Hayatama Taisha

  Shingu Map
• LUNCH

  Picnic lunch or at restaurant in Shingu.
  
  TIP: Kamikura-jinja is a nice spot for a picnic lunch.
• KAMIKURA-JINJA

  Gotobiki-iwa, a gigantic rock located halfway up Gongen Mountain, is revered as a deity and is the site where the Kumano deities are first believed to have descended.
  
  At the base of this monolith is a shrine called Kamikura-jinja with views of Shingu.
  

  Shingu Map
• Option 1
  BUS FROM SHINGU TO KATSUURA  (Kumano Kotsu)

   Depart: 15:00 Shingu Station
  

   Arrive: 15:39 Kii-Katsuura Station

  
  PRICE: 630 yen
  
  NOTE: Departures are every 30 minutes. Taking a train is also an option.
  

  Bus Timetable #12
  How to Ride a Local Bus

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• Option 2
  TRAIN FROM SHINGU TO KATSUURA  (JR local)

   Depart: 15:51 Shingu
  

    Arrive: 16:15Kii-Katsuura
  
  TIP: Sit on the lefthand side of the train for the best coastal views.

  Train Timetable Search Engines
• 
  OVERNIGHT IN KATSUURA

  There are a diversity of Ryokan, Minshuku, and Guesthouses in Katsuura, so with coastal views, and many with hot spring baths.
  
  

• BUS FROM KATSUURA TO DAIMONZAKA (Kumano Kotsu)

   Depart: 9:05 Kii-Katsuura
  

   Arrive: 9:24 Daimonzaka

  
  PRICE: 430 yen
  
  NOTE: At Daimonzaka bus stop are toilets and vending machines.
  

  Bus Timetable #8
• WALK KUMANO KODO - DAIMON-ZAKA

  

   Distance: ~2 km
   Time: ~1 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~190 m
   Elevation Loss: ~460 m
  
  The Daimon-zaka is a short but scenic cobblestone staircase rising out of the valley lined with ancient trees.
  

  
  NOTE: The distance and time above is only from the base of the valley to the Shrine-temple complex.  There is more descent to the waterfall base and Nachi-no-Taki-mae bus stop.
  

  Nachisan Map

   
• BUS FROM NACHI TO KATSUURA (Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus)

    Depart: 12:59 Nachi-no-Taki-mae
    Arrive: 13:23 Kii-Katsuura

  PRICE: 630 yen

  Bus Timetable #8

  *The bus fare is included with the tour price
• LUNCH

  There are a diversity of small restaurants near the station.  Ask at the tourist information office in the Kii-Katsuura station.

  Kii-Katsuura Station Area Map

  (Lunch is not included in the tour)
• GO TO NEXT DESTINATION