When is the best time to hike the Kumano Kodo?
In regard to the weather and the best time of year to walk the Kumano Kodo in Japan, the most popular seasons are the Japanese spring and autumn.
Winter is often too cold, and summer can be quite wet with coastal sometimes monsoonal weather which can occasionally cause disruptions (or additional adventure depending on your outlook).
Many guests love the Kumano Kodo region and visiting Japan generally in spring for the cherry blossums, however I love it it in the autumn also, the weather is pretty stable, the trail a little quieter, and the mountains, valleys, vistas and villages are surreal.