The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage located on the remote Kii Peninsula, its mysterious atmosphere further amplified by the high rainfall and resulting mist that hangs over the mountains and valleys. With a history going back more than 1,000 years, the Kumano Kodo has long been a pilgrimage walked by people from all levels of society, ranging from common folk to emperors.
This ancient pilgrimage is made up of several trails, including the Nakahechi, Kiiji, Iseji, Kohechi, and Ohechi. Our 6-day Kumano Kodo self-guided tour is our best-loved Kumano Kodo offering and explores the classic Nakahechi route, including the Ogumotorigoe Pass approach to Nachi Grand Shrine.
Walk village to village as you take in the scenery provided by the Kii Mountains, believed to be a sacred location that serves as the home of the gods. Try your hand at shinrinyoku (forest bathing) and feel the serenity of the deep, forested walks and dreamy landscapes softly blanketed in fog. You will have ample opportunities to take in gorgeous mountain scenery, sample exquisite local cuisine, enjoy soaking in onsen hot springs to soothe you after a day of hiking, and visit all three of the Grand Shrines of Kumano.
You’re supported by our team in Kyoto, our local Chikatsuyu office, and by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and topographical maps to guide you on your way, created by our team of hikers for you.
Have you walked the Camino de Santiago? You can obtain Dual Pilgrim status on our Kumano Kodo tours, or earn credentials and obtain the status on your future Camino de Santiago trip.
Daily luggage transfer is also available along the Kumano Kodo trail as an optional extra service.
Your tour highlights
- Enjoy the most enchanting sections of the Kumano Kodo on this, our best-loved tour
- Visit all three of Kumano’s grand shrines: Hongu Grand Shrine, Nachi Grand Shrine, and Hayatama Grand Shrine
- Take in Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall
- Earn credentials to receive Dual Pilgrim status
- Spend more time in the serene nature of the Kumano Kodo, including the Ogumotorigoe Pass
- Enjoy delicious, homemade meals with fresh, local ingredients each day
Tour itinerary
Our tour includes train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or Osaka to the small town of Kii-Tanabe on the mystical Kii Peninsula, gateway to the historic Kumano Kodo Trail. The railway line runs close to the ocean for the latter part of the journey and offers fine views out over the sea. The journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe is around two and half hours; from Kyoto it is around three hours and usually requires a change of trains at Shin-Osaka station. Board a local bus outside Kii-Tanabe station and travel forty minutes to Takijiri. This is where your walk on the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route begins.
From Takijiri the path climbs steadily to the ridge-top village of Takahara, and takes around two hours. Stay tonight in a small, Japanese-style minshuku in the tiny village of Takahara, or in the nearby village of Kurisugawa. Both serve delicious home-cooked dinners featuring local seasonal ingredients.
Walking distance: 4.5 km / 2.8 mi
Elevation gain: 390 m / 1,280 ft of ascent and 160 m / 520 ft of descent
Time required: About 2 hours
Accommodation: Japanese-style hotel or minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Dinner
After your Japanese breakfast, you leave your inn and follow the trail as it winds through small settlements and the peaceful countryside. You pass several oji shrines before finally descending to the village of Chikatsuyu. The paths are clearly defined, and flagstones have been laid in some places to make the climbs easier. Arrive in Chikatsuyu in time to relax before dinner at a family-run guesthouse.
Walking distance: 10 km / 6.5 mi
Elevation gain: 610 m / 2,000 ft of ascent and 640 m / 2,100 ft of descent
Time required: About 4 – 5 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
From Chikatsuyu and Nonaka, the trail continues through the mountains. We have shorter and longer hiking options to choose from this day, all of which include the ‘can’t miss’ walk between Hosshinmon-oji and Hongu Grand Shrine. At the heart of these sacred mountains, Kumano was said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi, the ‘other world’ which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology. From Hongu, a short bus ride brings you to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest natural hot spring villages in Japan, or to Kawayu Onsen, famous for the thermal water bubbling to the surface of the crystal-clear river. Enjoy a relaxing soak in a Japanese bath before or after your delicious, multi-course dinner.
Walking distance: 24 km / 14.9 mi
Elevation gain: 1,450 m / 4,760 ft of ascent and 1,680 m / 5,510 ft of descent
Time required: About 8 – 9 hours, requiring an early start!
We offer two shorter alternatives of 7 hours (15 km / 9 mi) or of 2 hours (7 km / 4 mi), using a local bus from Chikatsuyu to shorten the walk. You can choose which option you prefer on the day—no need to decide in advance!
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Take time to explore the atmospheric village where you spent the night, before undertaking one of two possible hiking options: ascend the Kogumotorigoe path towards Koguchi or undertake another section close to Hongu, with excellent valley views. The first option begins with a short bus ride to Ukegawa on the banks of the Kumano River. From Ukegawa, you start on the Kogumotorigoe path, which heads up to the Kogumotorigoe Pass before descending to the remote village of Koguchi.
Walking distance: 12.4 km / 7.7 mi
Elevation gain: 940 m / 3,080 ft of ascent and 930 m / 3,050 ft of descent
Time required: About 4 hours
For guests spending a second evening close to Hongū, we offer various excellent hiking options up to 6 hours, the longest of which can generally be undertaken completely on foot. We offer a number of alternatives from 1 up to 6 hours (13 km / 8 mi) if staying close to Hongu.
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse) or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
The final section of the trail takes you from Koguchi up to the Ogumotorigoe Pass with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. It then descends to Mount Nachi, the location of Nachi Grand Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano and Nachi Falls. Stay overnight either in the small village of Mount Nachi close to the shrine, or take a local bus for the twenty-minute ride to the port town of Kii-Katsuura, with wonderful views over the island-studded bay. Enjoy dinner and breakfast served by your hosts at your accommodation.
Walking distance: 15.1 km / 9.3 mi
Elevation gain: 1,120 m / 3,670 ft of ascent and 850 m / 2,790 ft of descent
Time required: About 6 – 7 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse) or onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Kii-Katsuura is an active fishing port and has a lively early-morning fish market. Enjoy the views out over the island-studded bay. There are intriguing backstreets and a traditional covered shopping arcade to explore, too. It is also possible to visit Hayatama Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. We provide train tickets for you to board a train at lunchtime, travelling back around the Kii Peninsula and arriving in Osaka or Kyoto mid to late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
What you’ll see on the tour
Tour pricing:
from $2,725
To secure your place now:
Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]
Tour Inclusions:
5 nights at Japanese inns along the Kumano Kodo trail
5 breakfasts and 5 dinners
Round-trip train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka
Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions
Topographical maps
Local support by telephone and at our Kumano Kodo branch
Our Preparing for Your Trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks