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 10 Days of walking ranging from 3 to 9 hours, and we can advise on which days to leave out if you want a shorter or more gentle walk.
We also offer 4-day, 5-day, 6-day and 9-day versions of this trip.
| Price : |
Adult (age 12+) AUD3,065 |
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| Duration : | 10 nights 11 Days |
| Tour Start : | Kyoto or Osaka |
| Tour End : | Kyoto or Osaka |
| Walking days : | 9 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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Arrive in Kii-Tanabe and enjoy local farming activities Hotel : Kii-Tanabe |
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Day 2
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Takijiri to Chikatsuyu Walking distance : 14.5km Elevation gain : 850m of ascent and 520m of descent Time required : About 6-7 hours * There are two shorter alternatives of 4.5 hours (12km) and 2.5 hours (6.5km) extending the local buses. You can choose which option you prefer on the day - there is no need to decide in advance. Hotel : Chikatsuyu |
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Day 3
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Chikatsuyu and Nonaka to Hongu Walking distance : 24km Elevation gain : 820m of ascent and 1,140m of descent Time required : About 8-9 hours * We offer two shorter alternatives of 7 hours (15km) or of 2 hours (7km), using a local bus from Chikatsuyu to shorten the walk. 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 / Dinner) |
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The Akagigoe and Dainichigoe trails Walking distance : 8.8km (plus 7km from Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu) Elevation gain : 610m of ascent and 585m of descent Time required : About 3-4 hours (plus 2 hours from Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu) * Today's shorter optional walk is 1.5 hours (2.8km) on the Dainichigoe trail between Yunomine Onsen and Hongu. You can walk both ways, or ride one way by bus. Or combine the Dainichigoe trail with the Akagigoe trail for a satisfying full-day hike. Hotel : Yunomine Onsen |
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Day 5
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Ukegawa to Totsukawa Onsen Walking distance : 12.4km Elevation gain : 520m of ascent and 500m of descent Time required : About 4-5 hours Hotel : Koguchi |
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Day 6
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Koguchi to Nachi-san Walking distance : 15.1km Elevation gain : 980m of ascent and 920m of descent Time required : About 6-7 hours Hotel : Katsuura |
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Day 7
(Meals : Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Hike from Yagio to Totsukawa Onsen Walking distance : 8.8km Elevation gain : 985m of ascent and 935m of descent Time required : About 4-5 hours From here, travel to the Kohechi trail. Your first walk on the ancient route begins at Yagio on a wonderful forested trail over Hatenashi-toge Pass, with excellent valley views, fascinating cultural monuments (including a miniature Kannon statue pilgrimage) and picturesque villages. A brief bus ride avoids a short final stretch on a busier road at the very end of the walk. Finish the day with a relaxing thermal bath at your inn for tonight in Totsukawa Onsen. Hotel : Totsukawa Onsen |
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Day 8
(Meals : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) |
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Hike from Nishinaka to Miuraguchi Walking distance : 8.8km Elevation gain : 985m of ascent and 935m of descent Time required : About 4-5 hours Hotel : Miuraguchi |
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Day 9
(Meals : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) |
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Hike from Miuraguchi to Nosegawa Onsen Walking distance : 13.7km Elevation gain : 1,150m of ascent and 850m of descent Time required : About 6-7 hours Hotel : Nosegawa Onsen |
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Day 10
(Meals : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) |
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Hike from Nosegawa Onsen to Mount Koya Walking distance : 7.3km from Nosegawa Onsen to Mount Koya (with an optional additional paved section of 9.2km) Elevation gain : 325m of ascent and 465m of descent Time required : About 3 hours (6-7 hours including the optional additional section) Hotel : Mount Koya |
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Day 11
(Meals : Breakfast) |
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Hike on the Choishi-michi trail, then travel to Osaka or Kyoto Walking distance : 15.5km Elevation gain : 1,225m of ascent and 650m of descent Time required : About 5 hours of optional walking 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kii-Tanabe | - | Japanese farmstay |
| 2 | Chikatsuyu | Minshuku Chikatsuyu or similar | Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) |
| 3-4 | Yunomine or similar | Yoshinoya | Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) |
| 5 | Koguchi | Momofuku | Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) |
| 6 | Katsuura | Urashima or similar | Japanese-style Onsen Hotel |
| 7 | Totsukawa Onsen | Kosenkaku Yoshinoya Ryokan | Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) |
| 8 | Miuraguchi | Minshuku Mandokoro | Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse) |
| 9 | Nosegawa Onsen | Onsen Hotel Nosegawa | Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) |
| 10 | Mount Koya | Saizenin Shukubo | Shukubo |
| Tour Operator : | Oxalis Holidays Limited |
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| Hotels : | 10 nights Japanese-style Rooms |
| Meal : | 10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 10 Dinners |
| Participants : | Minimum 1 |
| Single Room Supplement : |
AUD 1,000 |
| Type and level of walking : | Challenging - Our Challenging tours have consecutive dedicated days of trail walking, with days of six hours or more and significant 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 :
Additional night on 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. |
