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Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)

4 Nights: from US$1862 per person (twin share) Trip Code: KK005

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This walking module offers five days exploring part of the Kumano Kodo, one of the most beautiful and mystical corners of Japan, with some moderately challenging walking opportunities and plenty of chances to relax and appreciate your surroundings. Read more >

The Kumano Kodo is the name given to a network of ancient pilgrimage routes covering the Kii Peninsula, a mountainous area to the south of Kyoto that encompasses Wakayama, Nara and Mie Prefectures. For over a millennium these routes have been trodden continuously by pilgrims from a variety of different religious and social backgrounds, from peasants to retired emperors, leaving the Kumano Kodo with an exceedingly rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

During your time on the Kii Peninsula you'll visit all three of the great shrines of the Kumano Kodo: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha. These shrines are known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan and form the spritual heart of the area. The pilgrimage trails connect the Kumano Sanzan with other religious hotspots at Yoshino, Omine, Mount Koya and even Ise - Shintoism's most sacred site.

Between reliving history at these important religious landmarks you'll walk amongst towering cryptomeria trees, past bamboo groves and terraced fields, through tiny villages and across high mountain passes. You'll float down the Kumano River on an open-top boat, soak in some of the country's finest onsen baths, stay in traditional Japanese accommodation and marvel at the tallest waterfall in Japan.

The Kumano Kodo is an area not to be missed: a beautiful and atmospheric region that combines great religious and historical importance with outstanding natural beauty and a peaceful, traditional way of life.

This is an intermediate module for confident walkers and hikers - information below is provided as guidance for what to expect on this hike:

Day 1 - Takijiri to Takahara - Approx 4km hiking; 2-3 hours; 430m up; 200m down; bus available to Kurisugawa approx 30 minutes' walk from Takahara, no buses to Takahara.

Day 2 - Takahara to Nonaka - Approx 13km hiking; 5-7 hours; 830m up; 650m down; bus available as 'escape route' 8km along route at Gyuba-doji-guchi.

Day 3 - Nonaka to Kumano Hongu Taisha - Approx 21.5km hiking; 8-11 hours; 960m up; 1440m down; bus available if you prefer - many cut down options (either 19km, 17km or 7.5 km all served by buses)

Day 4 - No hikes planned

Day 5 - Daimonzaka Chushajo to Nachi Taisha - Approx 600m; 1 hour; 267 cobblestone stairs; can take a bus to either one third of the way up, or all the way up (i.e., just to Nachi Taisha itself and skip out Daimonzaka hike)

Please note that there may be times that we will need to adjust the routing and inclusions due to availability of accommodations or experiences. We work with local experts who ensure we provide the best possible trip through the area so rest assured we will do our best to ensure you can enjoy Kumano Kodo whenever you travel.

At a glance

What's Included

What's included

Four nights Japanese-style accommodation (One night fully en suite, two nights with en suite toilet, one night shared bathroom facilities)
Breakfast every day, four dinners and three bento lunchboxes
Kumano Kodo orientation
All train travel between destinations
Same-day luggage shuttle services between destinations on the Kumano Kodo
Traditional boat cruise on the Kumano River (between March and November)
Pocket WiFi device
Personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack

What's NOT included:

Local transport between destinations, including all buses
Any entrance fees, including those for shrines, temples and onsen

Trip Highlights

Sample kaiseki cuisine
Soak in some of Japan's finest onsen hot spring baths
Stay in Takahara, the “village in the mist”
Walk the Daimonzaka cobblestone road

Stay at traditional Japanese-style accommodation
Visit all three of the Kumano Sanzan sacred shrines
Marvel at Japan's tallest waterfall

For more information email us: info@insidejapantours.com or call: + 44 117 244 3380

What, where, when and how...

Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days

Map for Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)

Destinations

Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Day by Day

Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Accommodation

Takahara

Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge

Budget
Chikatsuyu-oji

Happiness Chikatsuyu

Moderate
Yunomine Onsen

Yunomineso

Moderate
Kii-Katsuura

Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima

Superior

Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 5 Days - Experiences

Day 4-5

You'll begin your day on day four with a leisurely boat trip along the Kumano River to Hatayama Taisha, the second of the three great shrines. This is how pilgrims traditionally approached the shrine and should be a lovely relaxing morning!

Lunch today will be another included bento lunchbox delivered to your minshuku in Yunomine before your departure this morning.

After visiting the shrine it's a short train ride from nearby Shingu to Kii-Katsuura, where you'll be staying at a large, Japanese-style hotel right on the water. After another wonderful included dinner of fresh local seafood and we highly recommend finishing off the evening in the hotel's hot spring baths overlooking the bay.

After returning to Kii-Katsuura town this morning you'll catch a bus to Daimonzaka Chushajo, from whence you'll make the one-hour walk to the Kumano Nachi Taisha: the last of the Kumano Kodo's three great shrines. This walk takes you part of the way along the Daimonzaka, an impressive 600 m cobbled stairway with a total of 267 stairs, lined with towering Japanese cedar and bamboo groves.

Nachi Taisha, the culmination of today's walk, boasts a magnificent red pagoda and stands against the striking backdrop of Nachi-no-Otaki: Japan's tallest waterfall. Take some time to marvel at this amazing sight before taking the bus back to Kii-Katsuura Station, from where it's a four-hour train ride around the peninsula to Osaka.

Overnight: Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima
Day 1

Today you will catch the train from Kyoto to Kii-Tanabe, a small coastal city and for centuries the main access point for the Kumano Kodo trails.

Here you'll have a short orientation session before grabbing a bite to eat and catching the bus to Takijiri-Oji.

The small village of Takijiri-Oji is the point at which you'll begin your exploration of the Kumano Kodo proper. Today you'll walk the 3.7 km through ancient forest filled with giant camphor trees and sacred caves to Takahara, a ridge-top settlement above the clouds where you'll be spending your first night in the mountains.

Your accommodation in Takahara commands sweeping views of the surrounding Hatenashi Mountain Range, with a top-quality kaiseki dinner made from local produce and a bento lunchbox provided to keep you going on your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge
Day 2

Today you will be undertaking the long hike from Takahara to Nonaka, a 14 km route that will take you past the ruins of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse and across the Hashiori-toge Pass, with its Gyubadoji statue of one of the first pilgrim emperors.

You'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding countryside from various points along the way before eventually arriving in Chikatsuyu Oji.

Tonight you'll stay at a Japanese-style guesthouse.

Overnight: Happiness Chikatsuyu
Day 3

From Nonaka it is a challenging 21 km hike to Hongu Taisha, the very heart of the Kumano Kodo and the region's most important shrine.

If you don't feel like hiking all this way there are plenty of buses that can help you cut down the walking time to suit your preference and ability. There are no restaurants on the way so your lunch will be a bento lunchbox prepared by your minshuku in Nonaka.

After exploring the Kumano Hongu Taisha you'll take the bus onwards to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest spa towns in Japan. Here you can rest your aching muscles in the only functioning UNESCO World Heritage hot spring bath in the country, before tucking in to another delicious kaiseki spread at your minshuku accommodation tonight.

Overnight: Yunomineso
Day 4-5

You'll begin your day on day four with a leisurely boat trip along the Kumano River to Hatayama Taisha, the second of the three great shrines. This is how pilgrims traditionally approached the shrine and should be a lovely relaxing morning!

Lunch today will be another included bento lunchbox delivered to your minshuku in Yunomine before your departure this morning.

After visiting the shrine it's a short train ride from nearby Shingu to Kii-Katsuura, where you'll be staying at a large, Japanese-style hotel right on the water. After another wonderful included dinner of fresh local seafood and we highly recommend finishing off the evening in the hotel's hot spring baths overlooking the bay.

After returning to Kii-Katsuura town this morning you'll catch a bus to Daimonzaka Chushajo, from whence you'll make the one-hour walk to the Kumano Nachi Taisha: the last of the Kumano Kodo's three great shrines. This walk takes you part of the way along the Daimonzaka, an impressive 600 m cobbled stairway with a total of 267 stairs, lined with towering Japanese cedar and bamboo groves.

Nachi Taisha, the culmination of today's walk, boasts a magnificent red pagoda and stands against the striking backdrop of Nachi-no-Otaki: Japan's tallest waterfall. Take some time to marvel at this amazing sight before taking the bus back to Kii-Katsuura Station, from where it's a four-hour train ride around the peninsula to Osaka.

Overnight: Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima
Day 1

Today you will catch the train from Kyoto to Kii-Tanabe, a small coastal city and for centuries the main access point for the Kumano Kodo trails.

Here you'll have a short orientation session before grabbing a bite to eat and catching the bus to Takijiri-Oji.

The small village of Takijiri-Oji is the point at which you'll begin your exploration of the Kumano Kodo proper. Today you'll walk the 3.7 km through ancient forest filled with giant camphor trees and sacred caves to Takahara, a ridge-top settlement above the clouds where you'll be spending your first night in the mountains.

Your accommodation in Takahara commands sweeping views of the surrounding Hatenashi Mountain Range, with a top-quality kaiseki dinner made from local produce and a bento lunchbox provided to keep you going on your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge

Previous story Next story

Day 1

Today you will catch the train from Kyoto to Kii-Tanabe, a small coastal city and for centuries the main access point for the Kumano Kodo trails.

Here you'll have a short orientation session before grabbing a bite to eat and catching the bus to Takijiri-Oji.

The small village of Takijiri-Oji is the point at which you'll begin your exploration of the Kumano Kodo proper. Today you'll walk the 3.7 km through ancient forest filled with giant camphor trees and sacred caves to Takahara, a ridge-top settlement above the clouds where you'll be spending your first night in the mountains.

Your accommodation in Takahara commands sweeping views of the surrounding Hatenashi Mountain Range, with a top-quality kaiseki dinner made from local produce and a bento lunchbox provided to keep you going on your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge
Day 2

Today you will be undertaking the long hike from Takahara to Nonaka, a 14 km route that will take you past the ruins of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse and across the Hashiori-toge Pass, with its Gyubadoji statue of one of the first pilgrim emperors.

You'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding countryside from various points along the way before eventually arriving in Chikatsuyu Oji.

Tonight you'll stay at a Japanese-style guesthouse.

Overnight: Happiness Chikatsuyu
Day 3

From Nonaka it is a challenging 21 km hike to Hongu Taisha, the very heart of the Kumano Kodo and the region's most important shrine.

If you don't feel like hiking all this way there are plenty of buses that can help you cut down the walking time to suit your preference and ability. There are no restaurants on the way so your lunch will be a bento lunchbox prepared by your minshuku in Nonaka.

After exploring the Kumano Hongu Taisha you'll take the bus onwards to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest spa towns in Japan. Here you can rest your aching muscles in the only functioning UNESCO World Heritage hot spring bath in the country, before tucking in to another delicious kaiseki spread at your minshuku accommodation tonight.

Overnight: Yunomineso
Day 4-5

You'll begin your day on day four with a leisurely boat trip along the Kumano River to Hatayama Taisha, the second of the three great shrines. This is how pilgrims traditionally approached the shrine and should be a lovely relaxing morning!

Lunch today will be another included bento lunchbox delivered to your minshuku in Yunomine before your departure this morning.

After visiting the shrine it's a short train ride from nearby Shingu to Kii-Katsuura, where you'll be staying at a large, Japanese-style hotel right on the water. After another wonderful included dinner of fresh local seafood and we highly recommend finishing off the evening in the hotel's hot spring baths overlooking the bay.

After returning to Kii-Katsuura town this morning you'll catch a bus to Daimonzaka Chushajo, from whence you'll make the one-hour walk to the Kumano Nachi Taisha: the last of the Kumano Kodo's three great shrines. This walk takes you part of the way along the Daimonzaka, an impressive 600 m cobbled stairway with a total of 267 stairs, lined with towering Japanese cedar and bamboo groves.

Nachi Taisha, the culmination of today's walk, boasts a magnificent red pagoda and stands against the striking backdrop of Nachi-no-Otaki: Japan's tallest waterfall. Take some time to marvel at this amazing sight before taking the bus back to Kii-Katsuura Station, from where it's a four-hour train ride around the peninsula to Osaka.

Overnight: Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima

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Self-Guided Adventure Kumano Kodo Four-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
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