Kumano Kodo self-guided walking 4 Days

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.

Tour Details

Information

Price:	Adult (age 12+) AUD 1,460
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:	Kyoto or Osaka Takijiri Takahara Chikatsuyu Hongu Yunomine Onsen Hayatama Grand Shrine Shingu Kyoto or Osaka
Includes:	3 nights accommodation 3 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners Train tickets (from/to Kyoto or Osaka) Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking instructions Topographical map Local phone support
Exclusions :	Flights Airport transfers Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches Pay locally for bus journeys on Days 1, 3 and 4 Single room supplement(s) if required
Download :	PDF Itinerary

Schedule

Day 1 (Meals : D)

Hike from Takijiri to Takahara Walking distance : 4.5km Elevation gain : 370m of ascent Time required : About 2 hours Our tour includes train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or Osaka to the small town of Kii-Tanabe on the mystical Kii Peninsula, gateway to the historic Kumano Kodo Trail. The railway line runs close to the ocean for the latter part of the journey and offers fine views out over the sea. The journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe is around two and half hours; from Kyoto it is around three hours and usually requires a change of trains at Shin-Osaka station. Board a local bus outside Kii-Tanabe station and travel forty minutes to Takijiri. This is where your walk on the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route begins. From Takijiri the path climbs steadily to the ridge-top village of Takahara, and takes around two 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

Day 2 (Meals : B / D)

Hike from Takahara to Chikatsuyu Walking distance : 10km Elevation gain : 480m of ascent and 520m of descent Time required : About 4-5 hours After your Japanese breakfast you leave your inn and follow the trail as it winds through small settlements and peaceful countryside. You pass several Oji shrines before finally descending to the village of Chikatsuyu. The paths are clearly defined, and flagstones have been laid in some places to make the climbs easier. Arrive in Chikatsuyu in time to relax before dinner at a family-run Minshuku guest-house. Hotel : Chikatsuyu

Day 3 (Meals : B / D)

Hike from Chikatsuyu to Hongu Walking distance : 7km Elevation gain : 120m of ascent and 360m of descent Time required : About 2 hours From Chikatsuyu, the trail continues through the mountains. Board a bus in Chikatsuyu today and then walk a gentle section of the trail from Hosshinmon-oji to the Kumano shrine at Hongu, one of the three 'Grand Shrines of Kumano'. At the heart of these sacred mountains, Kumano was said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi, the 'other world' which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology. From the Kumano shrine at Hongu, a short bus ride brings you to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest natural hot -spring villages in Japan, or to Kawayu Onsen famous for the thermal water bubbling to the surface of the crystal clear river. Enjoy a relaxing soak in a Japanese bath before or after your delicious, multi-course dinner. * 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

Day 4 (Meals : B)

Hayatama Grand Shrine and Shingu Before or after breakfast, take time to explore the atmospheric village of Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen. Travel by bus along the picturesque valley to Shingu and visit the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, fifteen minutes on foot from Shingu railway station. The tourist office is located directly in front of Shingu railway station, where the bus arrives; they can supply maps and advice. Within the shrine precinct is a giant Nagi tree about a thousand years old. 'Nagi dolls' made from the seeds of this tree are believed to bring about lucky encounters with the opposite sex or a happy married life to couples. The Kamikura Shrine on Mount Gongen, further on from the Grand Shrine, is also well worth a visit. People worship a large rock as a god here and the shrine is extremely atmospheric. After visiting the sights of Shingu, use the train tickets we provide for the train journey onwards to Osaka or Kyoto. The journey takes around five hours, arriving in Osaka or Kyoto early to mid-evening. Hotel : N/A

Hotel

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
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)

Condition

Tour Operator:

Oxalis Holidays Limited

Hotels :

3 nights Japanese-style Rooms

Meal:

3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

Participants :

Minimum 1

Single Supplement :

AUD 450

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.

Gallery

Video courtesy of Oku Japan

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