The Kumano Kodo, Japan
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
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 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.
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;
- 6 x Nights ‘Minshuku’ accommodation along the Kumano Kodo
- 6 x Japanese Dinner and Breakfast at each ‘Minshuku’
- 4 x Packed Lunches for along the walk
- Rest day to explore Yunomine Onsen and nearby Hongu Taisha
- Daily baggage transfer between Minshuku to save you carrying your bags
- Kumano Kodo map booklet for your self-guided walk
- Personalised itinerary
All from $1,990 AUD per person.
To enquire please use the 'Click here' link at the bottom of the page.
Pricing is based on twin share accommodation, for single pricing please contact Hiking Trails. All components are subject to availability.
Full Terms and Conditions apply.
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