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!

  Pick up your tour information pack, which includes maps, a Dual Pilgrim stamp credential, a Kumano Kodo Bus Pass, and a Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Guide Book.
• 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. 

• BREAKFAST

  At accommodation.

  Breakfast is not included, so be sure to ready something the night before when you arrive.
• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• TAXI FROM TANABE ACOMMODATION TO TAKIJIRI

  

   Depart: 8:00 Tanabe Guesthouse

   Arrive: 9:00 Takijiri

  
  The taxi driver will pick guests up at their Tanabe Guesthouse. 
  
  LUNCH: The driver can stop by a convenience store to let guests buy lunch before continuing to Takijiri.
  
  
  
• 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
• LUNCH

  Picnic lunch along the trail.
• 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)
  
  

• BREAKFAST

  At accommodation.

  Pick up lunch at breakfast before check-out.
• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• Option 1 (Intermediate Walk)
  WALK KUMANO KODO - DOYUKAWA-BASHI BUS STOP TO FUSHIOGAMI

  

   Distance: ~13 km
   Time: 5~7 hrs
   Elevation Gain: ~770 m
   Elevation Loss: ~1370 m
  
  BUS FROM CHIKATSUYU TO DOYUKAWA-BASHI (Ryujin Bus)
  

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

  PRICE: 420 yen

  Kumano Kodo Map 1
  Kumano Kodo Map 2
  Walk Options
  Bus Timetable #1
• Option 2 (Full Walk)
  WALK KUMANO KODO - CHIKATSUYU-OJI TO FUSHIOGAMI

  

   Distance: ~22 km
   Time: 8~11 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~1210 m
   Elevation Loss: ~1670 m
  
  This is a challenging full day walk with many climbs and descents, finishing at the Kumano Hongu Taisha. 
  
  Best to start early if attempting the full walk.
  

  Kumano Kodo Map 1
  Kumano Kodo Map 2
  Walk Options
• Option 3 (Short Walk)
  WALK KUMANO KODO - HOSSHINMON-OJI TO FUSHIOGAMI

  

   Distance: ~3.6 km
   Time: 1~2 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~190 m
   Elevation Loss: ~260 m
  
  This option allows for a later check-out and more leisurely walk with a diversity of forested trail and settlement scenery.  Take a local bus from Chikatsuyu to Hosshimon-oji with one transfer.
  
  BUS FROM CHIKATSUYU TO HOSSHINMON-OJI (Meiko, then Ryujin Bus)
  

    Depart: 9:42 Nakahechi Bijutsukan-mae
    Arrive: 10:12 Hongu Taisha-mae

  PRICE: 1090 yen
  

    Depart: 10:30 Hongu Taisha-mae
    Arrive: 10:45 Hosshinmon-oji

  PRICE: 470 yen
  

  Kumano Kodo Map

  Walk Options

  Bus Timetable #1
• LUNCH

  Picnic lunch along the trail.
• OVERNIGHT IN FUSHIOGAMI

  Stay at a traditional pilgrim stay in Fushiogami.

• BREAKFAST

  At accommodation.
• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• WALK KUMANO KODO - FUSHIOGAMI TO KUMANO HONGU TAISHA

  

   Distance: ~4 km
   Time: 1~2 hrs
   Elevation Gain: ~0 m
   Elevation Loss: ~200 m
  
  This is a very nice morning walk to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
  

  Kumano Kodo Map
• 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
• REGISTER AS A DUAL PILGRIM
  

  

  For those that have already walked the Camino de Santiago and have completed one of the qualifying sections of the Kumano Kodo, visit the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center to register.
  
  Once you have registered, ask about re-visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha for a Dual Pilgrim drumming ceremony!

  More about 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
• LUNCH

  Choose from restaurants or a few shops in Hongu Village for lunch.

  Hongu Area Map
• BUS FROM HONGU TO YUNOMINE, WATAZE AND KAWAYU ONSEN

    Depart: 15:05 Hongu Taisha-mae

    Arrive: 15:16 Kawayu Onsen

    Arrive: 15:17 Wataze Onsen

    Arrive: 15:24 Yunomine Onsen

  Bus Timetable #11
• Option 1
  WALK KUMANO KODO - HONGU TO YUNOMINE ONSEN - DAINICHI-GOE

  

   Distance: ~2 km
   Time: 1~2 hr
   Elevation Gain: ~250 m
   Elevation Loss: ~190 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 at the southend of Hongu.
  

  
  BUSES FROM YUNOMINE ONSEN TO KAWAYU ONSEN (Ryujin Bus)
  

   Depart: 14:37 Yunomine Onsen
   Arrive: 14:43 Watarase Onsen
   Arrive: 14:44 Kawayu Onsen

   Depart: 16:41 Yunomine Onsen
   Arrive: 16:47 Watarase Onsen
   Arrive: 16:48 Kawayu Onsen

  Dainichi-goe
  Kumano Kodo Map
• OVERNIGHT IN KAWAYU ONSEN OR WATAZE ONSEN

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

• BREAKFAST

  At accommodation.
• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• BUS FROM ONSEN AREA TO SHINGU

  Arrive: 8:31 Yunomine Onsen

  Arrive: 8:37 Wataze Onsen

  Arrive: 8:39 Kawayu Onsen

  Depart: 9:33 Hayatama Taisha-mae (Shingu)

  
  
  Busses originate from in front of the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center. 
  
  PRICE:1,560 yen
  

  Bus Timetable #4

  ✻ Please use your Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.
• 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
• 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
• LUNCH

  Picnic lunch or at restaurant in Shingu.
  
  TIP: Kamikura-jinja is a nice spot for a picnic lunch.
• 
  BUS FROM SHINGU TO NACHI STATION  (Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus)

   Depart: 13:00 Shingu Station
  

   Arrive: 13:04 Hayatama Taisha-mae
  

   Arrive: 13:07 Kamikura Jinja-mae
  

   Arrive: 13:28 Nachi Station

  
  PRICE: About 540 yen
  
  NOTE: Buses run about every 30 minutes. Taking a train between Shingu Station and Nachi Station is also an option.
  

  Bus Timetable #12
  How to Ride a Local Bus
• 
  BUS FROM NACHI STATION TO DAIMONZAKA  (Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus)

   Depart: 14:03 Nachi Station
  

   Arrive: 14:14 Daimonzaka

  
  PRICE: 350 yen
  
  NOTE: Buses run about every 45 minutes.
  

  Bus Timetable #8
  How to Ride a Local Bus
• 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

   
• 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 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 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
• 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

  * Please use your Kumano Kodo Bus Pass.
• 
  OVERNIGHT IN KATSUURA

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

• BREAKFAST

  At accommodation.
• VISIT KATSUURA

  Katsuura Onsen is a fishing port on the rugged Pacific coastline. 
  
  This coastal village is famous for its hot spring baths and world-class seafood.
  

  Katsuura Map
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