Best of Kumano Kodo Mountain to Sea Walk & Cruise 5D4N, Self Guided

Walking from Takijiri to Takahara: approx. 4 km (2 miles), 1-2 hours walking, Elevation gain: 430 m (1410 ft), Elevation loss: 200 m (656 ft)

The trip begins today with your arrival at Kii-Tanabe Station, either from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, depending on where you're coming from. The train journey is only about 3 hours, and if you leave with the morning train at 9:00 am, you're bound to arrive at Kii-Tanabe by 11:22 am. The ride will be scenic as the environment gradually transforms from urban to rural, with more mountains, rivers, and forests dominating the scenes.

Upon arrival at Kii-Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, there will be an orientation on the tour. This orientation will equip you with all the knowledge and information needed to enjoy the best of the trek, including how to purchase bus tickets and use onsen baths.

Next, board a local bus at your own expense for a 45-minute ride to Takijiri, where you can embark on your first walking expedition on the Nakahechi section of the pilgrimage trail. Takijiri-oji is a significant part of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail as it houses one of the five main oji shrines, and a portal to the sanctuary of the gods.

Once here, level up the hike by ascending a steep hill that takes you from Takijiri to the village of Takahara on a ridge. You'll be rewarded with vantage point views of the misty Hatenashi Mountain range, which has earned the village the name "Kiri-no-sato," translated in English as Village in the Mist.

Please proceed to the Kiri-no-sato Takahara lodge overlooking the mountains to enjoy a home-cooked delicious Japanese meal before gracing any of its tatami Japanese or Western-style rooms. Enjoy its amenities and room features like free WiFi, futon/twin beds, air-conditioning, ensuite western-style toilets, refrigerators, and outdoor and indoor hot spring baths for relaxation.

NOTE: all local bus tickets during the Kumano Kodo walk are guest's own expense. Bus timetable and information will be provided at the orientation.

Walking from Takahara to Chikatsuyu: approx. 10 km (6 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 590 m (1935 ft), Elevation loss: 640 m (2099 ft)

This morning, wake up to wonder at the morning beauty of this ridge-top settlement, with the misty mountains oozing their cloudy fumes from afar. Enjoy a hearty Japanese breakfast and depart the Ryokan Inn for the wild and wondrous.

Follow the well-marked trail that leads to the forested mountains east of Takahara. This trail courses through some quaint, stilly settlements where time seems to idle away, and activities are done in unhurried calm. There are a few flagstones to guide you in addition to the well-marked paths to simplify the climb.

You'll ascend several ridges and bypass numerous Oji shrines to meet a watershed that marks your descent into the charming riverside village of Chikatsuyu. Spend the night at this village, where the Hiki-gawa River runs through its valley, and a few cafes and restaurants make the street scene a bit lively.

Your accommodation is at the Chikatsuyu Cherry Garden House, where a palatable dinner awaits for munching. Settle into one of its Japanese-style rooms with futon beds to rest for the night with the next day's adventure in mind.

Walking from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha: approx. 7 km (4 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 190 m (623 ft), Elevation loss: 460 m (1509 ft)

Optional Easier Walk:
Approx. 2 km (1 mile), 1-2 hours walking Dainichi-goe route (Hongu to Yunomine Onsen)

Today, see the last of Chikatsuyu's beautiful garden inn and down your delightful breakfast before boarding a bus at your expense to Hosshinmon-oji. On arrival, begin your walk on the Hosshinmon-oji and Hongu trail that winds through forested paths and downhill slopes to submit you before the grand entrance of the Kumano Hongo Taisha Shrine.

Visit this shrine, one of the three "Grand Shrines of Kumano" placed on a hill at the Northern end of Hongu village. This shrine is remarkable for its minimalistic design, with pavillions made out of wood and roofs made from the bark of cypress trees. The architectural style is renowned for being 800 years old but still spots an elegant appeal.

After exploring this shrine, take a bus to Yunomine Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring villages, where you'll spend the night.

The accommodation here is at Ryokan Adumaya, a traditional inn dating back to the Edo era. This Ryokan inn is quite fascinating and uncommon, featuring 8 hot spring baths, with the most extensive bath bearing no apparent difference from what it was since the Taisho era. Samashi bath is another impressive spot for immersion, which is 100% a fontal hot spring and boasts medicinal benefits for those willing to immerse at moderate temperatures.

Pamper yourself with a warm immersion in this hot spring bath, revered as the oldest in Japan, after walking to refresh and rejuvenate. After the immersion and bath, enjoy a sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner before submitting yourself to one of its Japanese-style rooms with tatami floors for further pampering by a futon bed.

Enjoy a yummy breakfast this morning that sets you up for the day's sensational experiences. Afterward, board a bus at your own expense to Kumano-gawa River, where you'll embark on a traditional flat-bottom wooden boat cruise to Shingu—an experience akin to the pilgrims’ who cruised on this river for centuries. Plus, it offers a thrilling way to explore the Kumano River, have a fresh perspective on the region's spirituality, and drink in the beautiful surrounding nature.

Upon arrival in Shingu, visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three grand shrines of Kumano. This shrine stands out for housing over 1,000 sacred treasures, which include gift items from the 15th and 16th century imperial families. Also within the shrine grounds is an old Nagi tree said to be around 1,000 years old.

From the shrine, proceed on a short but relatively steep walk down a stone staircase to behold the magnificence of Gotobiki-iwa, a giant mass of rock nestled halfway up Gongen Mountain and within the Kamikura shrine complex. From here, you can also admire the Kamikura-jinja shrine before boarding a bus at your expense to Kii-katsura Onsen on the coast of the Kii peninsula. You'll spend the night at Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima, a hot spring resort on Katsuura Bay.

This luxury inn is lodged in a unique location by the seaside of a private island in Katsuura. It can be accessed by a 5-minute boat ride from Kanko Sanbashi, a tourist pier on the bay. This spectacular lodge features an open-air bath opposite the bay, where you can soak yourself and relax with gorgeous views of the mountains and listen to the rhythmic sounds of waves splashing on the shores.

Dinner tonight is exceptional, featuring a Japanese Kaiseki set menu bearing seasonal seafood delights fetched from the Pacific Ocean and ready to stun your taste buds.

Walking from Daimonzaka to Nachi Falls: approx. 2.2 km (1.36 mile), 3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 190 m (623 ft), Elevation loss: 460 m (1509 ft)

On your last day of the expedition, wake up to an irresistible breakfast featuring a buffet of seasonal dishes. Board a ferry to Katsuura, and then a bus to Daimon-aka at your own expense. Upon arrival, begin the Daimon-aka walk to explore the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, one of the three grand shrines of Kumano.

The Daimon-zaka trail is a 600-metre (1960-feet) staircase overlayed with cobblestone and rises out of the valley. As you climb, you'll be spoiled by surplus views of flourishing ancient trees to your destination – the Nachi Taisha shrine complex. You'll meet the shrine halfway up the mountain as you climb the stairs about 350 metres (1140 feet) above sea level.

The Nachi shrine has its origin dipped in the religious practice of nature worship, where staggering and wondrous endowments of nature are revered in Japan and considered sacred. The Nachi shrine's origin is tied to the Nachi-no-taki falls, which serve as its deity.

But the highlight of this walk is still up head. Ascend further on the Daimon-zaka stairs, where the walk culminates at the iconic and incredible Nachi-no-taki falls, dropping from 133 metres (436 feet), making it the highest in Japan. The fall's water is sourced from the neighbouring broad-leaf evergreen ancient forest, a sacred area for bygone centuries, and used as an ascetic training ground for Shugendo monks.

The icing on the cake of this expedition is a walk to the nearby 5th-century Seiganto-ji Tendai Buddhist Temple, which doubles as one of the oldest buildings in the region. You'll be amazed by the surrounding views, with the captivating Nachi falls gracing the background of an eye-catching pagoda, forming a postcard-perfect scene.

The Seiganto-ji temple's design is impossible to stare at once, with its worship hall roof shaded by the branches of an elegant camphor laurel tree. The temple plays a critical role in the religious nature worship here, serving as the junction between the two spiritual structures – Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji temples, with the falls in the background thundering away.

Your trip ends here, and you can take a bus at your expense to Kii-katsura to board a train that leaves for Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, depending on where you head. However, if you still need more of the experience, we've got you covered.

Please contact us if you wish to customise the itinerary including trip extensions (Additional Charge). Options are:

• Extra night stay at Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima
• Venture to the east coast in Mie, residing in Ise Shima and Toba for a luxurious coastal escapade, steeped in Ama diving history, sacred Ise Jingu (Ise Shrine), and the rugged coastline. Stay at the luxury resorts or ryokan at Amanemu and Oyado The Earth. 
• See Ise Shima Tours
• Ise Shima cycling
• Guided sea kayaking

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. The luggage transfer is not included for Day 3. We suggest you arrange luggage transfer with Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima hotel staff and forward luggage to your next hotel in Japan (The forwarding fee is approx. 2000yen per piece). Then you can only carry a small day pack for your Day 3 activities. There is a luggage storage facility at Kii-Katsuura Station. Please ask the local staff to provide you with more details of the luggage storage facility at Kii-Katsuura Station during the Orientation on Day 1.