The stone lined Nakahechi trail, Kumano Kodo

Hiking to the Takijiri-oji shrine in autumn

Enjoy traditional fresh bento boxes for lunch

The grand shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha

Views of the Pacific Ocean from the Funami-toge Pass

Evening ryokan meal during the Kumano Kodo hike

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Kumano Kodo Coast to Coast Self-Guided Hike

Walk coast-to-coast on Japan’s sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, with flexible daily distances and full support

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49 reviews

10 Days from

$2511 USD

$2790 USD

Trip Code: JKP

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement applicable from date to date

$910 USD

Solo Traveller Supplement applicable from date to date

$910 USD

Duration

10 Days

Activities

8 day self-guided hike

Accommodation

9 nights in minshuku

Meals

8 Dinners
6 Lunches
9 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

5 / 10

Moderate

Carbon Footprint

54kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(490kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Walk the full coast-to-coast Kumano Kodo route for a deeper, more meaningful journey that mirrors the traditional pilgrimage to all three Grand Shrines – Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama
Stay in traditional ryokans and minshuku inns with nourishing, home-cooked Japanese cuisine
Tailor hiking distances to suit you and your group
Hike the UNESCO-listed Kumano mountains, including Hongu and Nachi Grand Shrines
Become a Dual Pilgrim by walking both the Kumano Kodo and the Camino de Santiago

Overview

Explore the spiritual heart of Japan on this coast-to-coast journey along the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. This self-guided adventure offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in the mountainous landscapes of the Kii Peninsula, walking between the revered Grand Shrines of Kumano. Once walked by emperors and monks, the Kumano Kodo is a network of forested trails now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our 10-day itinerary connects sacred shrines, misty mountain passes and riverside hot spring villages. You'll stay in traditional inns, enjoy lovingly prepared Japanese meals and have the chance to register as a Dual Pilgrim if you’ve completed Spain’s Camino de Santiago. With mapped routes, daily luggage transfers and a local helpline, you’re free to walk at your own pace and connect deeply with the landscapes and traditions of Japan.

Itinerary

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The trip begins in Kii-Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. For over 1000 years all levels of society, including retired emperors and aristocrats, have made the difficult pilgrimage to Kumano. Drop off your luggage at the Kumano Travel Information Center next to the Kii-Tanabe Station and enjoy some time at leisure to explore this quaint country town. At 13:30pm you will have an orientation at the Information Center. The orientation will be for the information pack and map collection with the opportunity for a brief Q&A session for any questions you may have. At 15:00pm a local guide will escort you to Tokei-Jinja where you'll participate in a special purification ceremony performed before pilgrimage treks on the ancient trail of Kumano. This is an excellent introduction to the pilgrimage experience. Dinner this evening is on your own account at a local restaurant. There are many traditional Japanese style izakaya pubs near the station area. Overnight at a guest house, such as Hanaiori Guest House, or similar.

Meals: Nil

Breakfast this morning is most likely at your accommodation (please note this may change depending on your accommodation as some guesthouses do not offer breakfasts.) Your luggage will be shuttled from Tanabe to Takijiri. At 08:00am you have time to pick up a lunch box near the station and from here your hike begins. The walk from Ki-Tanabe Station to Takijiri-Oji is around 22km (7-9hrs). This route begins in the city center, passes through the orchard filled agricultural hills and then over the Shiomi-toge pass. As you walk you will experience the transition from the urban centre to the rugged mountains. Overnight this evening is at Kodo-no-Mori, a lodging next to Takijiri-oji, the spiritual entrance to the sacred Kumano mountains and popular trailhead for multi-day treks on the Kumano Kodo. The confluence of the Tonda (Iwata) and Ishiburi Rivers play an important role in the historical and spiritual aspects of the Takijiri-oji shrine. “Takijiri” means “base of the waterfall”. "Oji" are the additional shrines of the Kumano Grand Shrines that line the Kumano Kodo - to protect and guide pilgrims. Dinner will be at your accommodation.

Meals: B,L,D

Breakfast this morning is at your accommodation and please remember to pick up at lunch box at your accommodation. Please leave your luggage at your accommodation as it will be shuttled from Takijiri to Nonaka. From here you will join the Nakahechi trail of the Kumano Kodo and walk the Kumano Kodo Takijiri-oji to Takijiri trail. The Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Centre is located at Takijiri-oji, and this is where the passage into the sacred mountains begins. The hike begins at the Takijiri-oji shrine beside the Tonda River and follows a mountain trail passing through Takahara and Chikatsuyu villages to Tsugizakura-oji. The route has some steep inclines and downhill slopes on uneven surfaces. Your overnight accommodation will be in the Chikatsuyu village (Nonaka area). Dinner tonight is at your accommodation.

Meals: B,L,D

Breakfast this morning is served at your accommodation. We suggest you make an early start. Your luggage will be shuttled from Nonaka area to your accommodation in Yunomine Onsen therefore please leave your luggage at the front desk. You'll need to pick up a lunch box at your accommodation before beginning your Kumano Kodo Nonaka to Kumano Hongu Taisha walk. Lunch is a bento box which you can stop and enjoy along the way. It is a memorable stop and visit at the Kumano Hongu Taisha. A stone staircase leads to the sacred grounds of the Kumano Hongu Taisha, which is situated on a ridge surrounded by giant cedar and cypress trees. From here you will take the public bus from Hongu to Yunomine Onsen (the cost is 300yen per person). The bus departs at Hongu Taisha-mae at 4:45pm and arrives at Yunomine Onsen at 5:09pm. The bus leaves from in front of Kumano Hongu Heritage Center. Overnight is in the picturesque little onsen village of Yunomine Onsen. Minshuku Yunosato is a good option, dinner is at your accommodation.

Meals: B,L,D

The morning begins with breakfast at your accommodation. Today's walk is a short but relatively steep trail over Mt. Dainichi that links Kumano Hongu Taisha with Yunomine Onsen. The Hanakake Jizo is on the ridge, and on the eastern slope is Tsukimigaoka-jinja. This shrine is located in a grove of old-growth trees and was historically associated with the Shugendo sect in the area. Someone who has walked both UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes, the Kumano Kodo and the Way of St.James (Camino de Santiago) can register to be a "dual pilgrim". You will have an opportunity for Dual Pilgrim registration today at the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center. Next it's time to visit Oyunohara. The entrance to the sacred site of Oyunohara is formally marked by the largest Torii shrine gate in the world (33.9m tall and 42m wide). It signifies the division of the secular and the spiritual worlds. Oyunohara, an island in the Kumano River, is where the Hongu Shrine originally stood. Lunch is at a restaurant in Hongu. From here you walk Dainichi-Goe back to Yunomine Onsen or you can take a bus from Hongu to Yunomine Onsen, where you will find overnight accommodation. Yunomine hot spring has over 1000 years of history, as traditionally pilgrims performed hot water purification rituals in these hot waters. Yunomine is a charming group of inns tucked into a little valley in the heart of these sacred mountains. Dinner is at your accommodation.

Meals: B,D

Today begins with breakfast at your accommodation, and please be sure to pick up a box lunch at your accommodation before you leave. Today's walk is on Kohechi: Hatenashi-Toge Pass. There is a bus from Yunomine to the Yakio Bus Stop (550 yen per person). The bus departs at 8:54am from Shimoyukawa and arrives at Yakio at 9:17am. From here you begin the Kumano Kodo, Hatenashi-Toge Pass walk (approx. 10km, 5-7hrs). This is a steep climb up and over the Hatenashi-toge pass. There are many scenic lookout spots and it is lined with small Buddhist statues. Lunch today is a picnic lunch along the way and you will finish at Hotel Subaru. There is a small restaurant here and day use hot spring facilities, perfect for the end of the walk. The Bus from Hotel Subaru to Kawayu Onsen departs at 4:20pm (950 yen per person) and arrives at Kawayu Onsen at 5:19pm. Kawayu Onsen is a thermal wonder where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the river. Overnight is in Kawayu Onsen and dinner is at your accommodation. Minshuku Tateishi may be a good option as they offer a shuttle service to Koguchi.

Meals: B,L,D

Breakfast this morning is at your accommodation and please pick up lunch at your accommodation. Your luggage will be shuttled from Kawayu to Koguchi. Today you walk the Kumano Kodo - Kowaze to Kawayu Onsen (Kogumotori-Goe). There are no restaurants along the trail so you will need to remember to bring a lunch. The trail has some ups and downs, in addition to some nice ridge-walking sections. Dinner this evening is at your accommodation.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning breakfast is at your accommodation. Your luggage will be shuttled from Koguchi to Nachisan, therefore please leave your luggage at the front desk. Please pick up lunch at reception. Today is one of the toughest sections of the Nakahechi section of the Kumano Kodo. It involves a climb and descent over a pass and is mainly in the forested mountains. Directly translated, Dogiri-zaka can be translated as "Body Breaking Slope", and this is an appropriate name for the first section which climbs nearly 800 meters in elevation (over approx. 5 kms). On a clear day you will want to stop to enjoy the magnificent coastal views at the Funami-toge pass. Along the way delight in the views of the Nachi-no Otaki falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan (133m high and 13m wide). As you pass the ancient wooden Buddhist Seiganto-ji temple and go through a small gate you will come upon the brightly coloured Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three grand shrines of Kumano. You have time to visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and spend the night in Nachi. Dinner tonight is at your accommodation. PLEASE NOTE: At times accommodation may not be available in Nachi and you will have to stay this night in Kii Katsuura. The local bus from Nachi to Kii Katsuura (cost is 620yen pp) is a 20minute commute and has a regular service operating. You will return in the morning to complete the last day of your walk.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning breakfast is at your accommodation. Your luggage will be shuttled from your accommodation in Nachi to your accommodation in Kii Katsuura. Please leave your luggage at reception. Today's walk is from Nachisan to Kii Katsurra, via Daimonzaka. This completes the walk to the coast. Lunch today is at a restaurant in Kii Katsuura. Enjoy the hot springs! Overnight accommodation is in Kii Katsuura (there are about a dozen places to choose from). Dinner is at your accommodation.

Meals: B,D

Spend the morning exploring Kii-Katsuura at your leisure. You may wish to visit the early-morning fish market (subject to operating days), explore the traditional shopping arcades, or take in the sea views from the port. If time permits, you can also visit Hayatama Taisha, another of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Your train journey back to Osaka or Kyoto departs around midday, taking you around the southern coastline of the Kii Peninsula and arriving mid to late afternoon.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners (Please inform us when booking if you have any special dietary requirements.)
Traditional local inns on a twin share basis
Luggage transfer between accommodation
Official Kumano Kodo guidebook
Local English language support number
Orientation session with Q&A on arrival
Detailed route maps & daily itinerary

Not included

International airfare, Visa and Travel insurance (compulsory)
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
Train and bus fares
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room