Kumano Kodo Trail – Japan

11 Day Japanese Cultural Experience

Day 1: Meet in Wakayama, the heart of the Japanese Soul.

We meet at our hotel at 5:00 pm for the Tour Briefing. You will need to make your own way there. On arrival at the hotel, you will be met by our tour leader in the lobby. Following the briefing, we’ll have a buffet dinner when we’ll be able to get acquainted with each other and experience our first taste of Japanese cuisine.

Schedule: Meet at Hotel » Dinner in Wakayama
Stay:  Hotel in Wakayama
Meals: Breakfast [ NA ]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

A complimentary tour in Wakayama: If you are planning to arrive in Wakayama a day before the tour departure date, you will have a bit more time to recover from jet lag. To make the most of your stay in Wakayama, your tour leader will be able to offer you a complimentary city tour before the tour briefing at 5:00 pm on Day One.

Day 2: Koyasan World Heritage Site, overnight in temple.

Today, we will travel by private transportation to Koyasan, a centre of Buddhist study and practice located on an 800m mountain top. Our pilgrimage will start here. In 2015 it celebrated its 1200th year. There are 117 temples in Koyasan of which 52 provide lodgings.

After arriving at Koyasan, we will take a tour of sacred sites and temples and learn all about their history, secrets and stories. A wealth of information we won’t find in any guidebook.

That night we stay in a temple lodge for a taste of the monastic lifestyle, vegan monastic cuisine (shojin ryori) and a Buddhist service in the morning before departure.

Schedule: Wakayama » Koyasan
Stay: Temple, Koyasan
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

Day 3: Pilgrimage begins.

Following an early morning Buddhist service in the main temple, we start our pilgrimage at the starting marker in the centre of Koyasan.

There are many features on this relatively easy day: The Rokuro-toge Pass where a woman’s temple once stood plus beautiful forests of cedar intermingled with cypress, umbrella pine and hemlock. Not to mention Jizo shrines and ruins of old inns.

After descending to the riverside village of Omata, our host for the evening will drive us to our Onsen hotel. Enjoy the typical Japanese warm welcome and local cuisine.

We will also discover the post-hike reward of the Onsen (the hot springs around which the lodge is built). It is a nice introductory day in preparation for the days ahead.

Schedule: Koyasan » Hiking Part 1 »Nosegawa Village
Stay: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 4: Trail high point, overnight in “Minsyuku”.

From Omata the trail winds steeply through forest to the Obako Pass at 1246m. From the Pass, we can climb the 1344m Mt.Obako which takes all of 15 minutes! The view from the top is spectacular. Descending past old teahouse ruins we encounter small shrines where pilgrims can pay homage and pray for the safe completion of the pilgrimage.

For the first time, we walk on flagstones placed many, many years before. Reaching Miura-guchi, a tiny hamlet deep in the valley, we will be met by our host with whom we will stay at Minsyuku. Her house is noted for its lovely cuisine and warm hospitality.

Schedule: Nosegawa village » Hiking Part 2 » North Totsukawa village
Stay: Minshuku (Japanse Inn)
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 5: Cherry Blossoms and Giant Cedar.

Once again we head up and out of the valley, this time it’s a 700m climb to the 1080m Miura Pass. And, once again, we are rewarded with a great view of the Kii Mountains and the knowledge that one of the hardest sections of the trip is behind us.

The descent is quite gentle and leads into the village of Nishikawa. From here we walk another 7.5 km on paved road to our fine Ryokan (traditional Japanese lodge) in Totsukawa Onsen village. There are several types of Onsen in the Ryokan to enjoy after which we feast on a specialty Kaiseki meal.

Schedule: North Totsukawa Village » Hiking Part 3 » South Totsukawa village
Stay: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 6: The end of the Kohechi pilgrimage to Kumano Hongu.

We start with the now routine morning climb out of the village to the next pass; in this case, it’s the 1114m Hatenashi Pass and the final difficult stage of the Kohechi. Along the way, ancient flagstone steps left in the deep groves of trees greatly ease our way and emphasize the great age of this trail. This is further reinforced by the 33 stone Buddhist carvings we pass enshrined trailside.

The descent is gentle with several viewpoints offering lovely views of mountains, rivers and towns in the valley below. At the Yakio bus stop, we take a private shuttle to our luxury Ryokan for the night.

Schedule: South Totsukawa village » Hiking Part 4 » Kumano Hongu » Tanabe
Stay: Traditional Ryokan
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 7:  Short hike to Kumano Hongu, rest in the afternoon.

We travel by private shuttle to the trailhead in the morning. We soon join the Nakahechi Route and follow this to Kumano Hongu Taisha, the end of the Kohechi Pilgrimage. This gentle trail just over 2km leads you to Kumano Hongu Taisha, after visiting this sacred shrine, you have the afternoon to relax at a luxury Ryokan or you can get around town on your own.

Schedule: Tanabe
Stay: Traditional Ryokan
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

Day 8: Hyakeen Gura.

Leaving the village it seems that we are walking through people’s backyards, which we are! The trail gradually climbs for 5 km or so to the Hyakken-gura Lookout and a vast panorama encompassing the 3600 peaks of the Kumano Mountains.

Between the Hyakken-gura Lookout and the ruins of the Sakura-jaya Teahouse, the trail follows some gentle ups and downs then finishes with a nice ridge section leading us into the valley below along with occasional glimpses of the Akagi-gawa River and Koguchi.

At Koguchi, we can see an old schoolhouse across the river. This is the Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie, our lodge for the night.

Schedule: Tanabe » Hiking Part 5 » Koguchi
Stay: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 9: Pilgrimage Finale.

Often the best is saved for the end and today is no exception as we encounter some of the very best scenery on the trip! The first section is a little demanding and is named Dogiri-zaka meaning ‘body breaking slope’, an apt description as we climb nearly 800m over 5km. With the Dogiri-zaka behind us, we negotiate a few more ups and downs to the ruins of the Funami Teahouse where the vast Pacific Ocean forms a massive backdrop. From the Funami Pass, we descend quickly to Nachi Taisha and the end of our Pilgrimage. We are also above the Nachi Falls, the highest in Japan.

From Nachi Taisha, we will have a private shuttle to the nearby coastal town of Katsuura and our Ryokan Lodge which is located in Katsuura. We celebrate our adventure with amazing food and drink in a private dining room and enjoy one of the best Onsen in the region.

Schedule: Koguchi » Hiking Part 6 » Kii Katsuura
Stay: Traditional Ryokan
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 10: Back to Wakayama City.

Before we leave for Wakayama on the train, we visit the last of three Grand Shrines in Kumano, Hayatama Taisha Shrine and Nachi Taisha Shrine once again for a good look at the shrine, temple and waterfalls. Enjoy this gorgeous shrine-Temple complex and learn about the history from your guide.

The trip finishes with a long train ride along the coast back to Wakayama. On check-in at our hotel, the guided portion of the tour concludes. The rest of the night is yours to enjoy in Wakayama.
Our guide will be more than happy to help you with all the information you needed to get around Wakayama on your own. Lunch and dinner not included.

Schedule: Kii Katsuura » Wakayama
Stay: Hotel in Wakayama
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA]      Dinner [ NA]

Day 11: Tour conclusion

Tour concludes after breakfast at the hotel.

Schedule: breakfast at the hotel
Stay: Not included
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA]      Dinner [ NA]

Religious Significance

Pilgrims walk seeking purification of both body and spirit hoping to achieve personal rekindling or rebirth. This stems also from the physical challenge of completing the pilgrimage. The asceticism of the hike is believed to be a personal sacrifice to save people suffering from agony.
The temples during the pilgrimage reflect a mixture and fusion of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. People of all persuasions and beliefs have always been welcome to observe, and if they wish, to participate. Your guide will explain the significance and purpose of each ceremony during the tour.

Overview of this mountain to sea pilgrimage hike

We start with the Kohechi Route, which connects the Buddhist mountain top temples of Koyasan to Kumano Hongu, one of the most important Grand Shrines in Kumano.
For 63km it runs through the central part of the Kii Peninsula. It is one of the toughest routes of the Kumano Kodo and includes three passes of over 1000m.
From Kumano Hongu we continue from Nakahechi to Kogumotori-goe and on to Ogumotori-goe to reach our final goal, the Grand Shrine of Nachi which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The total distance hiked is 90km.

Why the Kohechi Route?

Because we believe it to be the best for those seeking to combine a unique cultural, if not spiritual experience, with a beautiful and sometimes challenging hike.
With few lodgings, the Kohechi is much less travelled than other routes, thus we will encounter far fewer hikers than we would on the other routes. Our smaller group size permits us to stay in smaller, more traditional lodgings on the way.
The other major route is the Nakahechi, most popular with less-experienced hikers. It is easily accessed meaning more hikers on the trail. Nevertheless, it’s stunningly beautiful so we have included one of the best sections.

Kumano Kodo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Set in the dense forests of the Kii Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean, three sacred sites – Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan – linked by pilgrimage routes to the ancient capital cities of Nara and Kyoto, reflect the fusion of Shinto, rooted in the ancient tradition of nature worship in Japan, and Buddhism, which was introduced from China and the Korean Peninsula.
The sites (495.3 ha) and their surrounding forest landscape reflect a persistent and extraordinarily well-documented tradition of sacred mountains over 1,200 years. The area, with its abundance of streams, rivers and waterfalls, is still part of the living culture of Japan and is much visited for ritual purposes and hiking, with up to 15 million visitors annually. Each of the three sites contains shrines, some of which were founded as early as the 9th century.  – Description courtesy of UNESCO

Optional Tours: If you would like to extend your time in this fascinating country, we have a selection of short tour options available on-demand. These are designed to assist you in getting the very most out of your visit. http://www.greathikesjapan.com/optional-tours/index.html

Hiking Difficulty

It is a challenging hike that requires more than a moderate level of fitness and it is definitely not for a beginner hiker.

The trail is not at all technical though there are some significant climbs encountered (see Day-by-Day itinerary) including 3 major passes over 1000 metres.

You will need to be able to hike with the group for seven days, each averaging a comfortable 15 km, 800 m elevation gain/loss over 6 to 8 hours. You will carry a daypack with rain gear and extra clothing.

Most of the trail is well-maintained and some days include small paved roads which are used by local residents. Often we hike on flagstones (including many steps) which may be slippery due to moss. The trail can also be slippery and muddy when wet.

Hiking poles and hiking boots with good ankle support are strongly recommended.

Accommodation Info

If you would prefer a single room when available or you are a single traveller, you will be charged an extra single supplementary fee for certain nights. If you are a single traveller and are willing to share with another traveller of the same gender let us know and we will try to pair you up if possible.
Payment of the Single Supplement Fee does not guarantee a single room booking when staying in accommodation on the night of Day 2 due to limited temple lodge availability.
Single rooms are only guaranteed when we are staying in a hotel in Wakayama on Day 1 and, Omata on Day 3, Totsukawa Onsen on Day 5, Kumano Hongu on Day 6 and Day 7, Koguchi on Day 8, Katsuura on Day 9 and Wakayama on Day 10.
No single rooms are available at Minsyuku on Day 4, where you will share a room with other group members of the same gender.
In the event that a single room cannot be provided, Yamnuska Mountain Tours will refund the portion of the Single Supplement Fee relevant to that/those nights.

Meeting Place & Time

You will meet your Yamnuska tour leader at our hotel in Wakayama. There will be a tour briefing at 5 pm after which we will have our welcome dinner at the hotel.

Getting to Wakayama & Transportation

Upon booking, you will receive an information package by email. It will include detailed instructions on how to get to our hotel from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. If landing at another airport or arriving in Wakayama by rail or other means send us your travel details so we can send you customized instructions.

Guides & Group Size

Yamnuska tour leaders are professional guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), they are fluent in both English and Japanese. They have extensive experience in both Japan and in the Canadian Rockies. They have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. They carry emergency equipment including a group first aid kit and communication tools. Our minimum group size is eight guests.

What to Bring

You will need to bring your own day pack and personal clothing (guides carry first aid and emergency gear). Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as an insulating layer as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. Weather conditions can vary from hot to cold, rainy and even snowy meaning you need to be equipped appropriately. It also can be very slippery when wet, due to many tree roots and muddy terrain. We highly recommend that you wear hiking boots that provide firm ankle support. Walking poles are highly recommended and available for rent.

See a sample equipment list here.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit is required at time of booking.  Please note that there is a $200 CAD non-refundable portion of this deposit. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the tour and that amount in Canadian dollars will be calculated using the Yen exchange value at that time. The price is subject to change due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates without notice.

You are required to purchase travel medical insurance to participate in our Japan programs.

Travel medical insurance covers and protects you against unforeseen events during the tour in Japan. We appreciate not everyone wants the added cost of insurance, but in our experience, unplanned events happen regularly. Your tour leader will do their best to assist guests when unplanned events happen, but there are easily obtained policies that can protect your financial investment.

We are hiking through a rural, remote area in Japan. It is your responsibility to have appropriate travel medical insurance during your trip to Japan.

We strongly recommend that you check your insurance if it covers emergency medical – related assistance services such as, -locating local medical providers, -arranging transportation and translation services, -coordinating evacuations including ambulance and emergency air transportation, -arranging accommodations and meals for extension of your stay.

Because you are travelling in Japan and it can be difficult to find a medical facility that provides assistance services in your first language. When you don’t understand what the doctors and nurses are telling you about your conditions, translation service will be of great help to you.

If you have travel insurance with your credit card, please make sure you check on the coverage and if you think it does not cover for the type of your travel to Japan, you may want to reconsider.

We also strongly recommend you find a trip cancellation or interruption provider as we will not be in a position to credit or refund your fees.