7-Day Kumano Kodo Trail Hiking tour

Highlights

1. Savouring delicious freshly prepared local cuisine

2. Exploring the lively fishing port of Kii-Katsuura

3. Experience the Japan culture of bathing in a soo thing onsen

4. Enjoying the striking views over the valleys and mountains

5. Visiting Hongū and Nachi Grand Shrines which is the one of Kumano's three important shrines alongside Hongu Taisha and Nachi Taisha.

Itinerary Details

Itinerary Overview

This tour features a mixture of paved village paths and unpaved forest trails. This is a more strenuous walk, with days of up to 8 or 9 hours walking and 1,000 m / 3,000 ft of ascent, shorter options are available too.

A highly rewarding hiking routes in Japan with the beautiful villages and mountains of the Kii Peninsula, requiring good levels of fitness and healthy.

Day 1  Osaka Arrival 

 Upon your arrival in Osaka, your private driver will warmly greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Free relax at the rest time.

It's best to arrive by 5 PM local time so that you have enough time to adjust to the time zone and have more free time to explore Osaka.

Day 2  Self-guide tour: Hike from Takijiri to Takahara (B,D)

 Pls go to the shin-Osaka station on your own, take train to Kii-Tanabe(tickets included, around 2.5 hours time).  Kii-Tanabe is a small town on the mystical Kii Peninsula, gateway to the historic Kumano Kodō Trail. The railway line runs close to the ocean for the latter part of the journey and offers fine views out over the sea. Upon arrive, continue to board a local bus outside Kii-Tanabe station and travel forty minutes to Takijiri. 

Start your hiking journey from the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodō pilgrimage route. From Takijiri the path climbs steadily to the ridge-top village of Takahara, and takes around two hours to a tiny village of Takahara, overnight there. Dinner included.

DAY 3  Self-guide tour: Hike from Takahara to Chikatsuyu  (B,D)

 Pls start the hiking today with our Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions and map on your own.

After your Japanese breakfast, you will start the trail, pass several ōji 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.

Day 4  Self-guide tour: Hike from Chikatsuyu to Hongu  (B,D)

 From Chikatsuyu and Nonaka, the trail continues through the mountains.

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 Hongū, 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 Onsen on your own at hotel. 

Day 5  Hike from Koguchi to Kii-Katsuura (B,D).

 The final section of the trail takes you from Koguchi up to the Ōgumotorigoe 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.

Then, take a local bus(around 20 minutes) to the port town of Kii-Katsuura, where you can enjoy the wonderful views over the island-studded bay.

Overnight at Kii-Katsuura.

Day 6  Free day: Visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha, later transfer back to Osaka by train (B)

Kii-Katsuura is an active fishing port and has a lively early-morning fish market.

You can enjoy the beautiful views out over the island-studded bay, or explore the intriguing backstreets and traditional covered shopping arcade. You can also choose to visit Hayatama Shrine, the last of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Afternoon, take train back to Osaka. (ticks included). 

Day 7   Osaka departure (B)

Free at leisure until you are escorted to the KIX airport for your onward flight.