Kumano Kodo Trail (Walk only)

Perfect if you are planning a longer trip to Japan but like the idea of including some walking whilst you are there. The walking is moderate but does involve some days with fairly steep ascents and descents although the longer walking days can be shortened. Overnight accommodation is in very traditional minshuku and ryokan where you will sleep on futons giving you a taste of truly authentic Japan!

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

The walk is graded moderate but it does involve some days with fairly steep ascents and descents.The terrain can also be quite tricky underfoot as wet tree roots can be quite slippy at times.  The longer walking days can be shortened if you want to cut down the distance. On most days you will be walking between 2 and 6 hours although there is one longer day of up to 8.5 hours so you should be an experienced walker to get the most from this trip.

In Kyoto and Osaka, we use carefully selected 3 or 4* western-style hotels. We use local family-run accommodations and traditional Ryokan and Minshuku Inns on the walking section.

The classic Japanese inn, Ryokan come in many styles, but are united by flawless service and exquisitely-prepared food. Ryokan may be in modern or traditional wooden buildings, but rooms are always Japanese style, with Tatami (straw mat) floors and futons for sleeping laid out in the evening by the Ryokan staff. Minshuku are similar to Ryokan but family-run and with less formal service. Rooms are more simply-furnished and guests typically lay out their own futons. Regardless if you have requested a double or a twin room you will get 2 separate futons to sleep on in your traditional Japanese room.

Ryokan rooms sometimes have private bathrooms. Minshuku offer toilet and bathing facilities ‘along the corridor’. Baths may be smaller rooms, used privately in turn by guests; or they may be larger communal bathing suites, one for men and one for women. As availability is limited we cannot guarantee or inform you in advance of booking which type of Japanese Inn you will overnight in.

We provide you with detailed information on the etiquette of staying in these beautiful traditional Japanese Inns.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers and a limited number of single rooms are available, although a single/solo supplement is payable.

Meals

Japanese cuisine is the highlight of many people’s visit to Japan and this is especially the case on the Kumano Kodo Trail. Your trip includes all breakfasts and 5 evening meals whilst on the trail.

Most meals will be Japanese cuisine, though breakfast in western-style hotels usually includes more familiar choices.

Dinner and breakfast in ryokan and minshuku are set meals, usually with a whole succession of different dishes which will delight you. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included with meals. Tipping is not customary at hotels and restaurants in Japan.

The route is partly way marked (in English and Japanese) and we provide detailed route notes and topographic maps so you should have no problem following the trail.

This trip is available year-round but we recommend April to November. The region may experience occasional snow from December to February and the hours of daylight are much less so during these months we may offer an alternative itinerary detailed below. It can get quite hot and sticky in July and August so please keep this in mind if you are looking to travel then. 

Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December - 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May 2024), and O-bon (13-15 August 2024).
The inns get extremely busy for the months of April and May as this is peak cherry blossom season, so please be aware that bookings during this time may require a change of itinerary or accommodation. There is very limited accommodation in Takahara so if the inn there is full you will stay in Tanabe (where you usually take the train to on Day 3) on the first night and complete the first two sections of the walk on Day 4 to Chikatsuyu.

WINTER ALTERNATIVE DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

In order to make the itinerary work during the winter months, we offer a slightly adapted version during this time. This varation also highlights the location of Kawayu Onsen which is a hotspring town. For a limited time during winter, the thermal river is transformed into a giant open-air bath created by digging down through the rocky river bed to allow the natural hot spring waters to rise closer to the surface and bring the temperature of the natural mineral river to a soothingly warm temperature to contrast the cold winter temperatures, and locals and travellers alike can soak and relax in the hot water (around 40 degrees Celsius).

The layout for this itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Regional Farm Experience in Azikuno - overnight in Kii-Tanabe
Day 2: Hike from Takijiri to Chikatsuyu - overnight in Chikatsuyu
Day 3: Hike from Chikatsuyu to Nonaka and Hongu - overnight in Kawayu Onsen
Day 4: Hike from Ukegawa to Koguchi - overnight in Koguchi (* or Kawayu Onsen if you prefer to relax and enjoy the area)
Day 5: Hike from Koguchi to Nachi-san - overnight in Kii-Katsura
Day 6: Onward travels

By Air:

The best airport to arrive at is Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), which has flights from international destinations. You can also fly into Tokyo Narita (NRT) and take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (3h30).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka/Kyoto. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins to Kyoto. 

By Air:

Train tickets are included on Day 6 from the trail to Osaka city centre. You can then fly out  Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), which has flights to many international destinations. You can also fly out of Tokyo Narita (NRT) and take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) from Osaka (3h30).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins to Kyoto.

Luggage transfer is not included during your walk as standard and you have a couple of options here. The first option is to arrange luggage transfers by a service called Takkyubin which is a courier service in Japan and can only be booked in Japan. This is cheap, reliable and costs approx £12 per day. With this service, your bags will not be moved each day but instead will be waiting for you at your accommodation a couple of nights later. On the Kumano Kodo tour, we recommend forwarding your luggage from Kyoto (or wherever you are staying before the walk) to Yunomine Onsen. You then carry overnight essentials for your nights in Takahara and Chikatsuyu. You then forward your luggage from Yunomine Onsen to wherever you are staying after the walk; you carry your overnight essentials for your nights in Koguchi and Nachi. Our information pack has full details on how to use this service, which is really easy. Your accommodation during the walk provides robes to wear in the evening and shoes are not worn inside, so you only need your hiking gear and can travel very light.

The other option is to arrange a daily baggage transfer service if you prefer to access your bag every night and this can be booked in advance through ourselves. Daily Luggage Transfer offers clients the option of bringing luggage by train and bus to the trail and then having it transferred from inn to inn on a daily basis. However, as it can be quite difficult to navigate public transport with luggage, we recommend Takkubin as the most convenient method. On the Kumano Kodo, this service is available from Takijiri through to Nachi-San. You will need to carry your bags with you on the last day.