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.

  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!

  Tanabe Gourmet Guide
• OVERNIGHT IN TANABE

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

• 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.

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• BUS FROM CHIKATSUYU-OJI TO DOYUKAWA-BASHI (Ryujin Bus)

   Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
   Arrive: 7:33 Doyukawa-bashi
  
  PRICE: 420 yen
  

  Bus Timetable #1
  How to Ride a Local Bus
• 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 OR NONAKA TO DOYUKAWA-BASHI (Ryujin Bus)
  

   Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
   Depart: 7:29 Nonaka Ipposugi
   Arrive: 7:33 Doyukawa-bashi

  PRICE: 280 yen ~ 420 yen

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

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

• DAY 4 OVERVIEW

  ON DAY FOUR the guide meets the guests at the accommodation and together they will travel by bus/shuttle to Hongu area, including Kumano Hongu Taisha, Hongu Heritage Center, and Oyunohara.
  
  THEN JOIN the Kumano Hongu Taisha SPRING FESTIVAL!
  
• BUS/SHUTTLE FROM KAWAYU ONSEN TO HONGU TAISHA-MAE BUS STOP

  Transfer from Kawayu Onsen accommodation to Hongu area.
• 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
• 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.
• HONGU SPRING FESTIVAL
  

  

  Immerse yourself as an official member of the Hongu Spring Festival!
  
  Wear traditional clothing, walk with the portable shrines and banners in procession to Oyunohara, sacred riverside location of Kumano Hongu Taisha.
  
  Watch for the sacred symbol of Kumano, the Yatagarasu three-legged crow.
  
• BUS/SHUTTLE FROM HONGU TAISHA-MAE TO KAWAYU ONSEN

  Transfer from Kawayu Onsen accommodation to Hongu area.

• LUGGAGE SHUTTLE
  

  Leave luggage at accommodation.
• TAXI FROM KAWAYU ONSEN TO MICHI-NO-EKI KUMANOGAWA

  Transfer directly from accommodation to the Traditional Boat Tour Center (~40 min)
  
  
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 
  OVERNIGHT IN KATSUURA

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

• LUGGAGE STORAGE

  After check-out, leave luggage in the coin lockers at Kii-Katsuura station.

  Kii-Katsuura Station area map
• BUS FROM KATSUURA TO DAIMONZAKA (Kumano Kotsu)

   Depart: 8:25 Kii-Katsuura
  

   Arrive: 8:44 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

   
• 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 Kotsu)

    Depart: 11:44 Nachi-no-Taki-mae
    Arrive: 12:08 Kii-Katsuura

  PRICE: 630 yen

  Bus Timetable #8

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