KUMANO TRAVEL

 Description

 Itinerary Map

 Highlights

• 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!

  Orientation will be here at 14:00.
• 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. 

  Stay: Hotel in Tanabe (western style room with ensuite toilet and bath)

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• BUS FROM KII-TANABE STATION TO TAKIJIRI (Meiko Bus)

  

   Depart: 8:32 Kii-Tanabe

   Arrive: 9:10 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 covered by the Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.
• 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 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.

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

• DAY 3 OVERVIEW

  ON DAY THREE the guide joins the group in Hongu on the bus, takes them on an excellent half-day walk on the Kumano Kodo from Hosshinmon-oji, a small subsidiary shrine.
  
  This section is often refered to as the climax route: a wonderful mix of moutain settlements and forested trails, culminating at the austere Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand shrine.
  
  THEN JOIN the Kumano Hongu Taisha SPRING FESTIVAL!
  
• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• Option 3 (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
• MEET GUIDE IN HONGU ON THE BUS

  The guide will board the bus at Hongu Taisha-mae and ride with them to the trailhead and walk with guests from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha. Then, the guide will facilitate lunch and participation in the festival. Finally, the guide will get the guests on their bus to Yunomine Onsen.
• 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 covered by the Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.
• 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: Yunomine Onsen (Minshuku) Japanese style room with ensuite toilet and bath

• FREE DAY -- Option to Revisit Hongu

  DAY FOUR can be a relaxing day in Yunomine Onsen, or revisit the Hongu area in the morning.
  
  Return by bus in the afternoon.
• 
  WALK KUMANO KODO - YUNOMINE ONSEN TO HONGU - DAINICHI-GOE

  

   Distance: ~2 km
   Time: 1~2 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~190 m
   Elevation Loss: ~250 m
  
  The Dainichi-goe route is a short but relatively steep trail over Mt. Dainichi that links the Hongu village with Yunomine Onsen.
  
  The trailhead is behind Tsuboyu bath in Yunomine Onsen.
  

  Dainichi-goe
  Kumano Kodo Map
• BUS FROM HONGU TO YUNOMINE, WATAZE AND KAWAYU ONSEN (Kumano Kotsu)

    Depart: 15:05 Hongu Taisha-mae

    Arrive: 15:16 Kawayu Onsen

    Arrive: 15:17 Wataze Onsen

    Arrive: 15:24 Yunomine Onsen

  Bus Timetable #11
• 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: Yunomine Onsen (Minshuku) Japanese style room with ensuite toilet and bath

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• BUS FROM YUNOMINE, WATAZE AND KAWAYU ONSEN TO UKEGAWA (Kumano Kotsu)

    Depart: 8:31 Yunomine Onsen

    Depart: 8:37 Wataze Onsen

    Depart: 8:39 Kawayu Onsen

    Arrive: 8:44 Ukegawa

  Bus Timetable #4

  *The bus fare is covered by the Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.
• WALK KUMANO KODO "KOGUMOTORI-GOE" - UKEGAWA TO KOGUCHI

  

   Distance: ~13 km
   Time: 4.5~6 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~670 m
   Elevation Loss: ~690 m
  
  The Kogumotori-goe is a pass over a mountain range between Hongu and Koguchi. 
  
  The northern section is a gradual climbing gradient, mid-section has some ups and downs, and the southern descent is the steepest portion.

  Kumano Kodo Map
• OVERNIGHT IN KOGUCHI

  There is limited accommodations in Koguchi. If these are not available then transferring to a nearby village is an option, such as Kumano-gawa or Takata.

  Stay: Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie, Main Building Shared toilet and bath

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• WALK KUMANO KODO "OGUMOTORI-GOE" - KOGUCHI TO NACHISAN

  

   Distance: ~14 km
   Time: 7~9 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~1260 m
   Elevation Loss: ~930 m
  
  The Ogumotori-goe connects Koguchi and Kumano Nachi Taisha, site of the divine Nachi-no-Otaki, Japan's tallest waterfall. 
  
  This is often considered the most difficult section on the Nakahechi route, so best to give yourself enough time to complete the walk.
  
  As there are no escape routes, if one doesn't feel up to the challenge, take public transit to Shingu and then onto the shrine grounds.

  Kumano Kodo Map
• VISIT SEIGANTO-JI

  Seiganto-ji temple was founded in the early 5th century and is one of the oldest buildings in the region.
  
  The view from the temple grounds is dramatic, featuring a pagoda with the falls as a backdrop.
  

  Nachisan Map
• VISIT KUMANO NACHI TAISHA

  One of the three grand shrines, Kumano Nachi Taisha is located halfway up Nachi Mountain, about 350 meters above sea level.
  
  It has its religious origin in the ancient nature worship of Nachi-no-Otaki falls.
  
  The branches of a giant camphor shades the roof of the worship hall.
  

  Kumano Nachi Taisha

  Nachisan Map
• VISIT NACHI FALLS

  Nachi-no-Otaki is 133 meters high and 13 meters wide - the tallest waterfall in Japan.
  
  It's water source is the surrounding broad-leaf evergreen primeval forest, a sanctuary that has been protected since ancient times, used for ascetic training by mountain monks who practice Shugendo, a mixed religion of foreign and indigenous beliefs.
  

  Nachisan Map
• 
  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 Nachi-no-Taki-mae bus stop to Kii-Katsuura Station

   Depart:  17:14 Nachi-no-Taki-mae

   Arrive:  17:38 Kii-Katsuura Station

  
  Bus Timetable #8

  *The bus fare is covered by the Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.

   

  Stay: Katsuura (Minshuku) Japanese style room with shared toilet and bath

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