The Kumano Kodo, Japan
Highlights of the Kumano Kodo Trail
- Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Imperial Route
- Countless ancient Oji and cultural sites, authentic and ancient landscapes
- Small authentic Japanese rural villages, lodging and meals
- Rest day mid-walk in an Onsen village to recover, soak up the experience
- Hongu Taisha and Nachi Taisha Grand Temples, plus the Nachi waterfalls
The best months to walk the Kumano Kodo are March - May and September - November.
The start of the Kumano Kodo Trail is located 2-hours by local train from Osaka.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd offers curated 7-Day / 6-night Kumano Kodo self-guided walking packages including a rest day in an Onsen village midwalk from $2190 AUD per person.
The Kumano Kodo is a series of ancient pilgrimage trails that cross over Kii Peninsula on the bottom east corner of Honshu, the main island of Japan.The walk starts near the small city of Tanabe which is located a couple of hours train ride from Osaka, and ends at Nachi Taisha Grand Temple and waterfalls, near the fishing port and Onsen town of Kii Katsuura.
Our exclusive 6-Day Self-Guided Kumano Kodo Walking Package, provides pilgrims and hikers an opportunity to walk the Nakahechi Trail, followed by the Ogumotori-Goe and the Kogumotori-Goe.
The Kumano Kodo is located just 2-hours by local train from Osaka.
Similar to Hiking Trails Pty Ltd's new Shin-etsu Trail packages, our Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail self-guided walking package provide expert knowledge and valuable local connections, to ensure you have a smooth, well organised, and inspirational walking experience on the Kumano Kodo, inclusive of great advice, available information, local support, traditional Japanese minshuku and ryokan accommodation, warm helpful hosts, and authentic, seasonal, Japanese meals.
The various Kumano Kodo walks take in up to three of the Great Shrines of Kumano; Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. We've also written a Brief History of the Kumano Kodo.
The walking itself along the Kumano Kodo varies significantly day to day and even hour to hour. At times you’ll be walking through tall dense (but well manicured) forest, and then at other stages through low shrub, along and crossing creeks, and at times along short sections of road, climbing up and down throughout each day.
You can check out the Kumano Kodo route maps here.
The trail surface varies from stone steps and stone cobbled pathways, to steps made of felled trees and timber, dirt paths, and as some short sections of road into and through small traditional Japanese villages.
The walking is beautiful at every turn. Along the way there are countless stone carved shrines called Oji, historical sites of lodgings and tea houses past, and surreal abandoned stone terracing walls. At times the walk passes through small towns, or even at one stage the ruins of a village evacuated in the 1970’s.
Many of these small towns and villages offers hikers and pilgrims accommodation and meals in small traditional Japanese Minshuku and Ryokan. These villages are quiet, picturesque, authentic and surreal all rolled into one fascinating experience.
Whilst there are a small range of accommodation styles along the walk for walkers to stay overnight, the most common for modern day Kumano Kodo pilgrims are the Minshuku. Minshuku are small Japanese guest houses, often only a very small number of guest rooms, and very traditional in nature, sometimes including Japanese Onsens and often offering meals to guests.
Our business, Hiking Trails Pty Ltd, aims to take the stress, complexity and unknown out of your Kumano Kodo planning, by offering our signature 6-Day Kumano Kodo Self-Guided Walking Package, to assist you in booking your Kumano Kodo experience, so you can focus on training for your hike.
Kumano Kodo Walk Package;
Our 7-Day 6-Night Self-Guided Kumano Kodo Walking Package includes;
- 6 x Nights Minshuku or Ryokan accommodation along the Kumano Kodo
- 6 x Local, seasonal, authentic Japanese Dinners and Breakfasts
- 4 x Local Japanese Packed Lunches for along the walk
- 4-5 days walking the full length of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route
- Rest day to explore an Onsen village and nearby Hongu Taisha temple
- Daily baggage transfer between lodging to save you carrying your bags
- Kumano Kodo map booklet for your self-guided walk
- Personalised itinerary
- Pre-walk check-in and briefing on your first day, and local support
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd offers curated 6-night Kumano Kodo self-guided walking packages including a rest day from $2190 AUD per person.
To find out more or check availability, submit an enquiry using the button below.
The best months to walk the Kumano Kodo are March - May and September - November.
This hike is for advanced hikers capable of walking long distances including uphill and downhill sections, with varying trail surfaces and weather, carrying a day pack. Hiking poles are recommended for this walk and good quality hiking footwear is required.
What's not included in this package?
- Flights reservations to and from Japan
- Train reservations to the walk start and back from the end
- Local bus reservations where needed for connections on the walk
- Drinks other than water (and often coffee with breakfast) - with most evening meals beer and sake are available for purchase.
- Snacks other than packed lunch when hiking
- Travel insurance - although we highly recommend it, and
- Hiking apparel and equipment.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd works with local Japanese partners and operators to deliver this package. Booking Terms and Conditions apply.