Walking the Kumano Kodo is like stepping back in time. This ancient pilgrimage route in Japan has been walked by emperors, samurai, and spiritual seekers for over 1,000 years. Today, you can follow in their footsteps through misty mountains, dense forests, and sacred shrines.
This 5-day itinerary covers the most popular Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo. It's perfect for first-time pilgrims who want to experience the spiritual heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site without rushing.
The Kumano Kodo is one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world recognized by UNESCO (the other is Spain's Camino de Santiago). But unlike the crowded Camino, the Kumano Kodo feels peaceful and intimate.
You'll walk through cedar forests that are hundreds of years old, past stone markers carved by ancient pilgrims, and through small mountain villages where time seems to stand still. The route connects three Grand Shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan, each with its own unique energy and history.
Many travelers combine their Kumano Kodo experience with other spiritual journeys in Japan. If you're interested in exploring more sacred sites, consider looking into Mount Koya tours or Shikoku pilgrimage tours to deepen your understanding of Japanese spiritual traditions.
Explore the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route with a 3-day guided tour, offering immersive cultural experiences, traditional lodging, and authentic meals in Japan's scenic wilderness.
Most people start their journey from Osaka or Kyoto. From either city, take the JR Kuroshio Limited Express train to Kii-Tanabe Station (about 2.5 to 3 hours). This is the gateway to the Kumano Kodo.
If you're coming from Tokyo, you can take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, then transfer to the Kuroshio train. The total journey takes about 5 hours.
Keep your backpack light but include these essentials:
Good hiking boots (broken in before you go)
Rain jacket and pants (essential year-round)
Quick-dry clothing
Hat and sunscreen
Water bottle (at least 1 liter)
Small first aid kit with blister treatment
Headlamp or flashlight
Hiking poles (very helpful on steep sections)
Cash (many places don't accept cards)
Your passport (needed for guesthouse check-in)
The trail is well-marked, but consider bringing a detailed map or downloading offline maps on your phone.
This itinerary covers the most popular Nakahechi route, which offers the best combination of cultural sites, natural beauty, and walking comfort for first-time pilgrims.
Your pilgrimage begins at Takijiri-oji, a small shrine that marks the entrance to the sacred mountains. This is where the Kumano Kodo officially starts. Take a moment here to pray for a safe journey, as pilgrims have done for centuries.
From Takijiri-oji, the trail immediately climbs steeply upward. This first climb is the hardest part of Day 1, gaining about 300 meters in elevation. Take your time and stop often to catch your breath.
As you climb, you'll pass several small shrines called "oji" shrines. These were rest stops for ancient pilgrims. Each one is unique and worth a quick visit.
After about 3 hours of climbing through beautiful forest, you'll reach Takahara, a tiny mountain village perched on a ridge. The views here are incredible on a clear day, stretching across layers of blue mountains.
Where to Stay: Takahara has a couple of traditional minshuku (family-run guesthouses). Kiri-no-Sato Takahara is popular with pilgrims and serves delicious home-cooked meals.
Today's walk is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Kumano Kodo. You'll follow an ancient stone-paved path through forests and past rice terraces. The trail starts with a gentle descent from Takahara, then rolls through the countryside. You'll pass through the small village of Hashiori-toge where you can buy drinks and snacks.
One highlight is the walk through Tsugizakura-oji, home to an 800-year-old cherry tree. Even if you don't see it in bloom, the tree itself is impressive. The path continues through more forest before descending into Chikatsuyu, a larger village with shops and restaurants. This is a good place to stock up on supplies.
Where to Stay: Chikatsuyu has several accommodation options. Minshuku Tsugizakura-oji offers traditional rooms and hearty meals. The owners are very welcoming to foreign pilgrims.
Trail Tips: This is a long day with some ups and downs. Pack a lunch or buy snacks in Hashiori-toge. Your legs might feel tired from yesterday's climb, so take breaks when needed.
This is the longest and most challenging day of your pilgrimage, but also the most rewarding. You'll end at Hongu Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines.
The trail climbs steadily from Chikatsuyu up to Kobiro Pass, the highest point on the Nakahechi Route at about 800 meters. The climb takes 2-3 hours through a beautiful forest.
After the pass, the trail descends through more forest and eventually joins a road for the final approach to Hongu. Along the way, you'll pass Fushiogami-oji, a scenic shrine with great views.
When you finally see Hongu Taisha appear through the trees, you'll feel a real sense of accomplishment. This shrine is dedicated to the deity of family safety and has been a place of worship for over 2,000 years.
Take time to explore the shrine grounds and soak in the spiritual atmosphere. The main hall is built from ancient cypress wood and radiates a sense of peace.
Where to Stay: Hongu has many accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury ryokan. Minshuku Sansui is a good mid-range option with comfortable rooms and an onsen (hot spring bath).
Trail Tips: Start very early today (6-7 AM) to avoid hiking in the heat. Bring plenty of food and water. The climb to Kobiro Pass is gradual but long. Once you reach Hongu, treat yourself to a hot bath to soothe your tired muscles.
After three days of hard hiking, today offers a bit of a break. Most pilgrims take a bus from Hongu to Koguchi (about 90 minutes), then hike the Kogumotori-goe Pass to Nachisan.
The bus ride itself is scenic, winding through the mountains and along rivers. If you're feeling very ambitious, you can hike the entire way from Hongu to Koguchi (about 13 km), but most people save their energy for the next section.
From Koguchi, the trail climbs steeply up and over the Kogumotori-goe Pass. This was the traditional final approach to Nachi, and it's one of the most beautiful sections of the Kumano Kodo.
The trail is mostly through forest, with occasional glimpses of the ocean in the distance. Ancient stone steps appear in places, worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims' feet.
The descent into Nachisan is steep and can be tough on the knees. Use your hiking poles if you have them. As you descend, you'll start to hear the roar of Nachi Falls in the distance.
Where to Stay: Nachisan has several options near the shrine and waterfall. Ryokan Morino-ie offers traditional rooms with meals included.
Your final day is for exploring Nachi, the most visually stunning of the three Grand Shrines. The shrine sits beside Nachi Falls, Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 meters.
Start your morning at the Nachi Taisha shrine. The bright orange buildings contrast beautifully with the green forest and white waterfall. This shrine has been worshipped as a place where gods dwell since ancient times.
Next, visit Seiganto-ji Temple, a Buddhist temple right next to the shrine. This is one of the most photographed spots in Japan, where the temple's red pagoda frames the waterfall perfectly.
You can walk down to the base of Nachi Falls for a closer view. There's a small viewing platform where you can feel the spray of the water. Many people believe the water has purifying properties. If you have time, explore the stone path that leads up the mountain behind the waterfall. It's lined with many smaller shrines and offers peaceful forest walking.
Getting Back: From Nachisan, take a bus to Kii-Katsuura Station (about 30 minutes). From there, you can catch trains back to Osaka, Kyoto, or other destinations.
If you're continuing your exploration of Japan's spiritual side, Kyoto temple tours offer an excellent complement to your Kumano Kodo experience, with countless temples and gardens to discover.
Here's a rough budget for a 5-day Kumano Kodo pilgrimage:
Accommodation: 8,000-12,000 yen per night (including meals) = 40,000-60,000 yen total
Transportation:
Osaka/Kyoto to Tanabe: 6,000-8,000 yen
Buses along the route: 2,000-3,000 yen
Return from Nachisan: 5,000-7,000 yen
Food: 2,000-3,000 yen for lunches and snacks = 10,000-15,000 yen total
Luggage forwarding (optional): 1,000-2,000 yen per bag per day
Total per person: Approximately 70,000-100,000 yen (around $500-700 USD)
This assumes staying in a standard minshuku with meals included. Costs can be higher if you choose a ryokan or hotels.
Most people walk the Kumano Kodo independently. The trail is well-marked, and you'll meet other pilgrims along the way. Solo walking allows you to go at your own pace and have a more introspective experience.
Some companies offer guided Kumano Kodo tours with experienced leaders who speak English, handle all logistics, and provide cultural insights. This is a good option if you're nervous about navigating on your own or want a deeper cultural understanding.
