• Day
• 1

• Western-style Hotel
• Welcome Dinner

Meet at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. There will be a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

2026: Meet in Osaka

• Western-style Hotel
• Welcome Dinner

Meet at the tour hotel in central Ōsaka in the evening. There will be a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

• Day
• 2

• 4.5 km / 2.8 mi
• 370 m / 1,200 ft ascent and 175 m / 575 ft descent
• about 2 hours
• Japanese-style accommodation
• Breakfast, Dinner

We travel south along the coast by train to Tanabe (about 3 hours), then transfer by local bus (about 40 minutes) to Takijiri, at the beginning of the Nakahechi, part of the network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as the Kumano Kodō, or Kumano Ancient Trail. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kumano Kodō became popular from the 11th century as a place of pilgrimage from Kyōto by emperors. The Kii Peninsula, which extends south from Nara and Ōsaka, has long been considered sacred in Japan as the entrance to the land of Yomi, the mythical afterworld. It is also the site of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano. We continue with a 2-hour hike to the small hilltop village of Takahara, where we spend the night. Our accommodation is a delightful traditional Japanese accommodation built by local craftsmen, with rooms affording spectacular views over the surrounding mountains. There are hot spring baths and the sumptuous evening meal is made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.

• Day
• 3

• 11.3 km / 7 mi 
• 350 m / 1,150 ft of ascent and 360 m / 1,180 ft of descent 
• 4 hours
• Minshuku (Family-run guesthouse)
• Breakfast, Dinner

Starting from Takahara, we continue eastwards along the Nakahechi pilgrimage trail. Along the path we pass small jizō bodhisattva statues, placed there by locals to protect travellers. There are also the sites of old teahouses, which provided rest to pilgrims right up until the early 20th century. We descend to the village of Chikatsuyu and our accommodation for tonight. We stay in a lovely guest house run by a friendly local couple, with their own natural hot-spring baths. In the evening, the dinner menu might include their delicious takikomi gohan (a flavoured rice dish steamed with vegetables), freshly caught fish, and tempura. After dinner, a local shamisen music group will treat us to a private performance in the lovely setting of our Chikatsuyu branch office. Enjoy this rare opportunity for a close-up experience of Japanese musical tradition.

• Day
• 4

• 9.7 km / 6 mi
• 440 m / 1,444 ft of ascent and 650 m / 2,132 ft descent
• 3-5 hours
• Onsen Ryokan (Hot Spring Inn)
• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we hike two scenic sections of the Kumano Kodō trail, passing ridge-top villages and ōji shrines. Nobles would rest at these sub-shrines to refresh themselves and compose poems. From Chikatsuyu we take a local bus to Hoshinmon-ōji and walk to Hongū Grand Shrine. The symbol of the shrine is the mythical three-legged crow, representing Hongū, Nachi, and Hayatama shrines – the same motif as the one used by the Japan Football Association. In mythology, the three-legged crow was sent to guide Emperor Jimmu on his journey from Kumano to the Yamato Plain, now present-day Nara prefecture. After visiting the shrine, pass through Dainichi-goe and head to Yunomine Onsen. Dainichi-goe has been a popular pilgrimage route since ancient times. Along the way, moss-covered stone pavements and cedar forests create a mystical atmosphere. From the top of the mountain, you can see the Kumano River and the surrounding mountains, and the attraction is that you can feel nature and history.

• Day
• 5

• Onsen Ryokan (Hot Spring Inn)
• Breakfast, Dinner

We transfer by local bus to the Kumano River. We board a traditional wooden flat-bottomed boat to take us on a gentle one-and-a-half-hour ride along the Kumano River to the Hayatama Taisha Shrine, just as Imperial pilgrims did in olden times. Afterwards, we will travel back by bus to Yunomine Onsen for another night at our hot spring Ryokan. There will be time to soak in one of the natural hot spring baths before dinner.

• Day
• 6

• 14.5 km / 9 mi
• 980 m / 3,215 ft of ascent and 920 m / 3,020 ft of descent
• 6 – 7 hours
• Onsen hotel (Hot Spring Hotel)
• Breakfast, Dinner

We transfer by local bus to Koguchi and hike the final section of the trail over the Ogumotorigoe Pass, to glimpse the Pacific Ocean and then descend to Nachi-taki waterfall and Nachi Taisha (Grand Shrine), one of the three “Grand Shrines of Kumano”.
From there we take a short bus ride to the fishing port of Katsuura and to our hotel.

• Day
• 7

• Optional Walk
• 8.5 km / 5.3 mi
• 534 m / 1,752 ft of ascent and 527 m / 1,729 ft of descent
• 4 hours
• Onsen Hotel (Hot Spring Hotel)
• Breakfast, Dinner

Today there is an optional hike along a different section of the Kumano Kodo. This is a coastal part of the Iseji route, which has some lovely views over the Pacific Ocean, pretty villages and the oldest paved section on the entire Kumano Kodo network, with stone blocks dating back eight hundred years. Alternatively, you can choose to relax and try the various hot spring baths in your hotel. You can also explore the town, with its excellent seafood, old-fashioned Japanese shopping arcade and a few interesting backstreets.

2026: Hike to Daimonzaka, Matsumoto Pass and Onigajo

• Optional Walk
• 2.3 km / 1.4 mi
• 130 m / 427 ft of ascent and descent
• 2 hours
• Japanese-style hotel
• Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning we head for Daimonzaka.

Daimonzaka is a cobbled slope about 600 metres long on the Nakahechi route of Kumano Kodō, and is a pilgrimage route to the Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine and Nachi Falls. The area is lined with cedar and cypress trees that are hundreds of years old, and the moss-covered stone pavement creates a mystical atmosphere. Along the way, there are sights such as the couple’s cedars, symbols of marriage, and the statue of two people, allowing you to feel the history and nature.

In the afternoon, we will walk along the Iseji route, another section of the Kumano Kodō.

Matsumoto Pass on the Kumano Kodō is an important mountain pass on the Iseji Route, It is a historic place where many believers made pilgrimages to the three grand shrines of Kumano. Onigajō, a group of oddly shaped rocks that spreads out beyond Matsumoto Pass, is characterised by its magnificent natural beauty created by waves and wind. It has been designated a national scenic spot and a natural monument and is a place where you can enjoy both nature and history.

You can also relax in your hotel, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Kumano Sea and feel the gentle sea breeze.

• Day
• 8

• Western-style Hotel
• Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

We leave the Kii Peninsula this morning, travelling on the coastal rail line to Kyōto. Our final night is at a centrally-located Western-style hotel; you are free to explore the city or relax until dinnertime.

In the evening, we will enjoy a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant with our guide.

• Day
• 9

• Breakfast

On our final day, we will say farewell in Kyoto after breakfast at the tour hotel. Your guide will be on hand to offer assistance and advice for your journey to the airport or onward travel in Japan.