In the footsteps of Emperors along the wonderful Nakahechi route.

Highlights

  • Walk village to village on enchanting sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail

  • Enjoy amazing scenery over the valleys and mountains

  • View the Pacific Ocean in the distance from Ogumotorigoe Pass

  • After a days walking, luxuriate in the thermal waters at a hot-spring Ryokan

  • Visit the Grand Shrines at Hongu and Nachi, and pass beneath Nachi-taki waterfall

  • Watch the early morning tuna auction at Kii-Katsuura’s lively fishing port.

Village-to-village walking on the Kii Peninsula – five hikes of 2-7 hours each

Trip level:    Strenuous
Availability:  All year (snow can fall December to March)
Price per person:  starting from A$1770

 

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The Kii Peninsula leads away south from the cities of Kyoto and Osaka, and is famous as one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan

Long a place of pilgrimage, the Kii Peninsula is the site of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan).

From the 11th century successive emperors made the long and difficult pilgrimage to Kumano from Kyoto.

Several pilgrimage trails were established, among them the Nakahechi-do, Kohechido and Ohechi-do – known as the Kumano Kodo (Old Road of Kumano).

This Japan Holidays walk centres on part of the Nakahechido- which winds its way through the forested mountains and small villages to the Grand Shrine of Hongu. The walk finishes near the Pacific Ocean at the Nachi Grand Shrine.

All Japan Holidays self-guided Kumano Kodo tours offer the opportunity to spend a leisurely second night in the picturesque hot-spring village of Yunomine Onsen part-way along the trail. Japan Holidays offers two short optional walks for this extra day in addition to some unique cultural experiences- such as walking with a Yamabushi (ascetic monk) , creating your own traditional Japanese paper or undertaking a spiritual meditation session.

Please ask for information about any Japan Holidays tour extensions to the mountain-top temple town of Mount Koya with its monastery lodgings- or the peaceful, agricultural community of Asuka and a chance to stay at a quaint Japanese inn or with a local family for a homestay experience.

Daily luggage transfer is available as an optional extra service.

This tour offers more advanced hiking.

Whats Included

  • 5 nights at Japanese inns along the Kumano Kodo trail

  • 5 breakfasts | 5 dinners

  • Round-trip train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka

  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions

  • Topographical maps

  • Local support by telephone

Whats Not Included

  • Flights

  • Airport transfers

  • Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches

  • Pay locally for bus journeys on Days 1, 3, 5 and 6

  • Single room supplement(s) if required

Kumano Kodo

Map and Itinerary

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