Guided Kumano Kodo Walking Tour
Begin in Koyasan before walking the sacred Kumano Kodo
Our guided Kumano Kodo walking tour explores a landscape long considered a place of healing – a sacred, mystical abode of the gods.
Tour at a glance
- 8 – 9 nights
- Starts in Osaka
- 70 km over 4.5 walking days
- Small-group guided tour
- Daily luggage transfers
- Traditional Japanese accommodation
Experience Koyasan and the Kumano Kodo
Our guided Kumano Kodo walking tour combines a visit to Koyasan with approximately 70 km of walking along the Nakahechi route. Both Koyasan and the Kumano Kodo form part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Located on the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka, these sacred landscapes have welcomed pilgrims for more than 1,200 years.
Begin your journey in Koyasan
From Osaka, we travel by train into the Kii Mountains to Koyasan, the centre of Shingon Buddhism and home to more than 100 temples. We stay overnight in a Buddhist temple and enjoy shojin ryori vegetarian cuisine.
A highlight of our time in Koyasan is an atmospheric evening walk along the stone-lantern-lined path through Okunoin, Japan’s largest Buddhist cemetery.
Walk the Kumano Kodo’s Nakahechi route
From Koyasan, our private bus takes us to Takijiri-oji, where we begin walking the Nakahechi route. The trail passes through forested mountains, alongside streams and through rural hamlets, rice paddies, orange groves and small tea plantations.
Our journey leads towards the Kumano Sanzan – the three grand shrines of Kumano – with magnificent views across the mountains and towards the Pacific Ocean along the way.
How challenging is the Kumano Kodo?
The Kumano Kodo is a demanding walk, and some guests will find it challenging. Over four and a half days, we walk approximately 70 km, including a number of steep ascents and descents.
The first 40 km takes two and a half days and leads us through the mountains to Kumano Hongu Taisha. From there, we continue over a further two days to Kumano Nachi Taisha, dramatically positioned above the Pacific Ocean with Nachi Falls forming a spectacular backdrop.
On the longer or more challenging days, we offer options to reduce the amount of walking.
Have questions about fitness, walking pace or completing each day’s route? Read our walking and fitness FAQs.
Traditional accommodation, onsen and regional cuisine
Along the route, we stay in a variety of traditional Japanese accommodation and enjoy carefully prepared regional cuisine. After a day of walking, guests can relax in hot-spring-fed onsen baths.
Your main luggage is transferred to the next accommodation each day, so you only need to carry a day pack while walking.
Find more information about accommodation, onsen, meals and luggage arrangements.
Why walk the Kumano Kodo with Kumano Camino
Koyasan and Kumano are beautiful places to walk, but their deeper significance lies in the centuries of Buddhist and Shinto belief, ritual and pilgrimage that have shaped them. With Kumano Camino, you experience more than the landscape – you gain an understanding of the stories, traditions and cultural meaning of the places you visit.
As Australian Japan specialists with Japanese-language skills, extensive cultural knowledge and long-standing local relationships, we bring this context to life throughout the journey. Our small-group guided Kumano Kodo walking tour provides personal guidance and support, creating a richer and more connected experience of this sacred region.
