The Kii Peninsula points south away from the great cities of Kyoto and Osaka, and is one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan, despite its proximity. Long a place of pilgrimage, it is the site of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan). From the 11th century successive emperors and their families made the long and difficult pilgrimage to Kumano from Kyoto. Several pilgrimage trails were established, and amongst them the Nakahechi-do, Kohechi-do and Ohechi-do, collectively known as the Kumano kodo (Old road of Kumano). Our walk focuses on part of the Nakahechi-do, which weaves its way through the forested mountains and small villages to the Grand Shrine of Hongu. You then transfer by bus and train to the Nachi Grand Shrine.
The walking is mostly paved village paths and unpaved mountains trails, with considerable ascent and descent on certain days. Though not 'technical', you will be need to be fit and well-prepared with adequate gear and clothing. This walk is highly customisable; there are 3 Days of walking ranging from 2 to 5 hours, and we can advise on which days to leave out if you want a shorter or more gentle walk.
We also offer 5-day, 6-day, 9-day and 11-day versions of this trip.
| Price : |
Adult (age 12+) AUD 1,315 |
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| Duration : | 3 nights 4 Days |
| Tour Start : | Kyoto or Osaka |
| Tour End : | Kyoto or Osaka |
| Walking days : | 3 days |
| Departure Date : | Daily (All Year) |
| Route : |
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| Includes : |
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| Exclusions : |
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| Download : | PDF Itinerary |
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Day 1
(Meals : Dinner) |
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Hike from Takijiri to Takahara Walking distance : 4.5km Elevation gain : 370m of ascent Time required : About 2 hours Stay tonight in a small, Japanese-style hotel in the tiny village of Takahara, or in a Japanese Minshuku in the nearby village of Kurisugawa. Both options serve good, home-cooked dinners featuring local seasonal ingredients. The small Japanese-style hotel in Takahara has both Japanese and western-style rooms, all with wonderful views over the valley and mountains. Hotel : Takahara or Kurisugawa |
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Day 2
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Takahara to Chikatsuyu Walking distance : 10km Elevation gain : 480m of ascent and 520m of descent Time required : About 4-5 hours Hotel : Chikatsuyu |
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Day 3
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Chikatsuyu to Hongu Walking distance : 7km Elevation gain : 120m of ascent and 360m of descent Time required : About 2 hours * If you prefer a more challenging day, we offer two longer alternatives of 7 hours (15km) or of 8-9 hours (24km), both with significant ascent and descent. You can choose which option you prefer on the day - no need to decide in advance! Hotel : Yunomine Onsen |
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Day 4
(Meals : Breakfast) |
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Hayatama Grand Shrine and Shingu Hotel : N/A |
Most of our accommodation is Japanese style guest house and they are share bathroom.
※ Example images, actual hotels may vary.
| Day | City | Hotel Name | Hotel Type |
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| 1 | Takahara or Kurisugawa | Kiri-no-sato Takahara or similar | Japanese-style Hotel in Takahara, or Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) in Kurisugawa |
| 2 | Chikatsuyu | Minshuku Chikatsuyu or similar | Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) |
| 3 | Yunomine | Yoshinoya or similar | Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) |
| Tour Operator : | Oxalis Holidays Limited |
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| Hotels : | 3 nights Japanese-style Rooms |
| Meal : | 3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners |
| Participants : | Minimum 1 |
| Single Room Supplement : |
AUD 415 |
| Type and level of walking : | Active - Our Active tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent. |
| Walking Season : | All year (the region may occasionally experience snow from December to March) |
| Departures : | Any day Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December to 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May), and O-bon (09 - 17 August). Please enquire for availability and pricing if your trip falls within those dates. |
| International Flight : | We offer the option of purchasing air inclusive tour packages, or land only tour packages, giving our customers the freedom to source their own flights. However, we are always more than happy to arrange your flights. |
| Optional extra days : |
We can arrange extra days at the beginning or end of the trip in the following destinations :
Mount Koya Travel along the scenic Nankai railway line to the temple town of Mount Koya, a bowl-shaped valley filled with stands of cedar trees 800 metres up in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Spend two nights and three days in this historic location, visiting the emotive UNESCO world heritage site Eko-no-in, and enjoy a stay at a Shukubo monastery lodging, featuring delicious Shojin Ryori dinners and breakfasts, with rail tickets starting from Kyoto or Osaka and bus or rail tickets onwards to the trail. |
