Pilgrim enjoying a little snow along the Kumano Kodo | Jaclyn Lofts

The grand shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha

Hiker on the Kumano Kodo

Traditional ryokan evening meal

Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine

Sitting in front of the beautiful Takahara Kumano-jinja Shrine. | Jaclyn Lofts

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Winter Kumano Kodo Self Guided Hike

Quiet trails, hot springs, a true pilgrimage

6 Days from

$1943 USD

$2090 USD

Trip Code: WKS

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement (5 nights - subject to availability)

$460 USD

Duration

6 Days

Activities

5 days self-guided walking

Accommodation

5 nights minshuku/ryokan/hotel

Meals

5 Dinners
5 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

5 / 10

Moderate

Kumano Kodo Trip highlights

Walk Japan’s sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail during its quietest and most tranquil season
Visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls, one of Japan’s most revered spiritual sites
Enjoy a self-guided journey with full support, including detailed route notes, luggage transfers and local English-speaking assistance
Stay in authentic local inns and onsen lodgings, savouring warming seasonal cuisine and Japanese hospitality each evening

Overview

Experience Japan’s Kumano Kodo pilgrimage at its most peaceful. This 6-day self-guided journey follows the UNESCO-listed Nakahechi trail through quiet forests, sacred shrines and welcoming onsen villages. Winter brings crisp air, fewer travellers, and the unique chance to soak in Kawayu Onsen’s open-air river bath. With luggage transfers, pre-booked inns and detailed maps, walk at your own pace while enjoying warm hospitality and seasonal cuisine each evening.

Itinerary

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Our tour includes train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka to the small town of Kii-Tanabe, gateway to the mystical Kii Peninsula and the historic Kumano Kodo Trail. The railway line runs close to the Pacific coast for the latter part of the journey and offers beautiful sea views. The journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe takes around 2.5 hours; from Kyoto it is around three hours, usually requiring a change at Shin-Osaka Station. A short bus ride from Kii-Tanabe Station brings you to the peaceful farming community of Kamiakizu. Tonight’s lodging is in a renovated wooden schoolhouse, built of cedar and cypress and now transformed into a sustainable community-run accommodation and learning centre. This unique project, established by local farmers, supports the revitalisation of rural life in the area. Dinner tonight features fresh local ingredients from the surrounding fields and sea, a fitting introduction to the warmth and hospitality of the Kumano region. Accommodation: Japanese-style lodge

Meals: D

Your day begins with a short taxi ride (approx. 30 minutes) to Takijiri, the traditional starting point of the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. From Takijiri, the trail climbs steadily through forest to reach the quiet ridge-top village of Takahara, a lovely spot to rest and take in the views of terraced fields and distant mountains. From here, a gentle 30 minute stroll leads to the nearby bus stop, where you’ll take a local bus onward to Chikatsuyu for the night. This small village offers time to visit a local art gallery or browse small shops before settling into your minshuku, a welcoming guesthouse offering authentic Japanese hospitality. For a longer hike, you can continue along the Kumano Kodo trail, with a further 4 hours of hiking to reach Chikatsuyu on foot instead of taking the bus. Elevation gain: 390 m / 1,280 ft of ascent and 160 m / 520 ft of descent Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)

Meals: B,D

From Chikatsuyu and Nonaka, the trail continues through the mountains on one of the most revered stretches of the Kumano Kodo. Today’s hike includes several route options - shorter or longer. All include the can’t-miss section between Hosshinmon-oji and the Hongu Grand Shrine (Kumano Hongu Taisha), one of the three great Kumano shrines and a centrepiece of the pilgrimage route. Along the way, you’ll walk through forested ridges and small hamlets, crossing ancient stone paths once used by emperors and monks. At Hongu, pause to take in the spiritual atmosphere of the shrine, said to mark the gateway to Yomi, the mythical land of the afterlife in Japanese folklore. A short local bus ride brings you to Kawayu Onsen, famed for its thermal river where hot spring water bubbles to the surface of the crystal clear Oto River. In winter, this river is transformed into a natural open air bath, a truly unique experience. Soak in the warm waters before or after a multi-course kaiseki dinner. Elevation gain: 770 m / 2,530 f of ascent and 1,190 m / 3,900 ft of descent You can choose which option you prefer on the day—no need to decide in advance.

Meals: B,D

This morning, take time to explore Kawayu Onsen, renowned for its winter only thermal river baths. Each year, locals carve out sections of the riverbed to create the Sennin-buro, or “Thousand-Person Bath,” where natural hot spring water rises to the surface, warming the river to a soothing 40C. Bathing here in the open air, surrounded by winter mist, is an unforgettable highlight of the season. If you prefer to walk, there are two options: The Kogumotorigoe Trail, starting from Ukegawa after a short bus ride, ascends through forests and descends to the remote hamlet of Koguchi (12.4km / 7.7 mi, approx 4 hours). Alternatively, enjoy a shorter local walk near Hongu with fine valley views and time to visit nearby shrines or cafes. This evening, return to your accommodation in Kawayu Onsen, where a soak in the outdoor baths and another delicious home-style meal round out a perfect winter’s day in Japan’s sacred countryside. Elevation gain: 940 m / 3,080 ft of ascent and 930 m / 3,050 ft of descent Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)

Meals: B,D

Today marks the final and most rewarding stage of your winter Kumano Kodo journey. From Koguchi, the trail climbs steadily through peaceful mountain forest toward the Ogumotorigoe Pass, the highest point on the route. The descent brings you to Nachi-san, home to the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine and the spectacular Nachi-taki Waterfall, the tallest in Japan at 133 metres. After exploring the shrine precincts, take a local bus for the twenty-minute ride to the port town of Kii-Katsuura, with wonderful views over the island-studded bay. Enjoy dinner served by your hosts at your accommodation. Elevation gain: 1,120 m / 3,670 ft of ascent and 850 m / 2,790 ft of descent Accommodation: Japanese-style Hotel

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

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

5 breakfasts and 5 dinners (Please inform us when booking if you have any special dietary requirements)
5 nights in hotels and Japanese style inns on a twinshare basis
Information pack including 1 Kumano Kodo stamp passport per person; and 1 set of daily itinerary, walking directions and maps for every 2 travellers.
Round-trip train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka
A pre-booked and pre-paid taxi to Koguchi on Day 5
Luggage transfers on Days 2 (from Akizu), 3 and 5 (to Kii Katsuura) only.
Local support by telephone

Not included

International airfare, Visa and Travel insurance (compulsory)
Airport transfers
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
Transportation costs not indicated in the program - NOTE: local bus fares payable directly at your own cost
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Any local entrance fees