Kumano Kodo Trail Hiking Tours

• Follow the ancient footsteps of emperors along the 11th-century Kumano Kodo
• Explore peaceful forests, mountain villages, and sacred shrines along the Nakahechi Route
• Soothe tired legs in natural hot springs, including a soak at Yunomine Onsen
• Discover the spiritual side of Japan at the Grand Shrine of Hongu
• Stay in traditional minshuku and ryokan, known for warm hospitality and exquisite meals
• Walk a self-guided pilgrimage through rural Japan’s timeless landscapes

For a truly immersive experience of Japan, walk the Kumano Kodo. This 1,000-year-old pilgrimage trail weaves through the lush mountains of the Kii Peninsula, leading to sacred shrines once visited by emperors. It’s spiritual, peaceful, and a refreshing contrast to the pace of modern Japan.

Ready to walk through the spiritual heart of Japan? Our Kumano Kodo Trail – Kyoto to Osaka blends ancient pilgrimage with two of Japan’s most iconic cities. You’ll begin in Kyoto, with its peaceful gardens and temples, and end in vibrant Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital. In between, walk the historic Nakahechi Route to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, passing forested trails, mountaintop villages, and soothing hot springs.

Short on time or already planning a longer trip? Our Kumano Kodo Trail (Walk Only) focuses just on the pilgrimage itself. You'll spend five days hiking through the Kii Mountains, staying in welcoming inns, soaking in onsens, and discovering a quieter, more traditional side of Japan.