Japan — 70 km — 5–7 days
Kumano Kodo
A sacred trail through Japan’s ancient cedar forests. One of only two pilgrimage routes with UNESCO World Heritage status alongside the Camino.
The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails through the mountainous Kii Peninsula of Japan. For over a thousand years, everyone from emperors to peasants has walked these paths to reach the three grand shrines of Kumano — Nachi, Hayatama, and Hongu. It is one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking the Kumano Kodo is a profoundly different experience from European pilgrimages. The trails wind through towering cedar forests, past moss-covered stone markers, over mountain passes, and through remote villages where time seems to have stopped. Each evening, you rest in traditional Japanese inns (minshuku or ryokan), soaking in onsen hot springs and eating exquisite multi-course kaiseki meals prepared with local mountain ingredients. The spiritual atmosphere is palpable — Shinto and Buddhist traditions merge seamlessly, and the forest itself feels sacred.
The Route
Stage by Stage
Tanabe to Takijiri-oji
Arrive in the coastal town of Tanabe, meet your guide for an orientation, and transfer to Takijiri-oji — the sacred gateway to the Kumano trails.
Takijiri-oji to Chikatsuyu
Your first full day on the trail. Climb through cedar forests past ancient oji (subsidiary shrines) to the village of Chikatsuyu. Soak in the onsen after a rewarding day.
Chikatsuyu to Hongu
Over the Waroda-ishi pass and down to the great shrine of Kumano Hongu Taisha. Pass through the enormous torii gate of Oyunohara — the largest in Japan.
Hongu to Koguchi
A quieter, more remote stretch along river valleys and through deep forest. Stay in a small mountain village with exceptional hospitality.
Koguchi to Nachi
The final climb to Kumano Nachi Taisha and the spectacular Nachi Falls — Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 metres. A fitting conclusion to a sacred journey.
Your Package
What's Included
Included
- All accommodation pre-booked (traditional ryokan and minshuku with onsen)
- Daily luggage forwarding via Yamato Transport
- Detailed bilingual route notes and offline maps
- Dual Pilgrim passport (Kumano Kodo and Camino dual-pilgrim registration)
- Two kaiseki dinners included
- Bus transfers between trail sections where needed
- 24/7 English-speaking local support
Not Included
- International flights to Japan
- Shinkansen or domestic transport to Tanabe
- Travel insurance
- Additional meals beyond those specified
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Walk the sacred trails of Japan.
Tell us your dates, your pace, and any special requirements. We will build a personalised itinerary just for you.
Plan My Kumano Kodo