Overview

The Kumano Kodo follows the old highway from Tsugizakura-oji to Kobiro-toge Pass. Here the trail enters the forest, climbing and descending a series of passes, the first being Waraji-toge Pass.

The trail used to descend the Me-zaka (“female slope”), passed by the remains of the Nakodo-jaya (“match-maker teahouse”), and climbed the O-zaka (“male slope”) to Iwagami-oji (elevation: ~650 meters), once the highest point on this section of the route. But since recent damage to the trail, there is a ~4 km detour from the forestry road junction east of Sign Post No. 43 to Jagata Jizo, south of the main pilgrimage route leading over the Iwagami-toge Pass.

The statue of Jagata Jizo protects travelers from evil fatigue-inducing spirits. The trail from there then crosses over a small bridge to the remains of the Yukawa settlement before climbing up to Mikoshi-toge Pass.

A long descent brings pilgrims to the junction for the Akagi-goe Route, which heads to Yunomine Onsen. For others, it is another 25 minutes from here to Hosshinmon-oji.

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Course Data

Distance	~14 km (~9 mi)
Time	6~8 hrs ※Walking times vary. Please plan accordingly.
Difficulty Rating	3 　What is difficulty rating?
Total Elevation Gain	~780 m (~2550 ft)
Total Elevation Loss	~980 m (~3200 ft)
Access	Bus Timetable Buses run from Kii-Tanabe and Shirahama to Nonaka Ipposugi bus stop (a 30-min walk to Tsugizakura-oji from the bus stop): Bus Timetable #1 (Eastbound), Bus Timetable #2 (Westbound). Hosshinmon-oji is the last stop on this bus route, which starts in Tanabe and goes through Yunomine Onsen and Kawayu Onsen: Bus Timetable #6. If catching the last bus from Hosshinmon-oji to the Hongu area, be aware of the last departure time. Note: the bus stop is ~300 m east of Hosshinmon-oji at the Hosshinmon-oji rest area.
Nearest Bus Stop	Nonaka Ipposugi (Start), Hosshinmon-oji (Finish)

Accommodations

Note regarding Accommodation at Hosshinmon-oji

There are no accommodations at Hosshinmon-oji. It is important to plan carefully to be able to catch the bus at Hosshinmon-oji rest area if necessary to the Hongu (Kawayu / Wataze / Yunomine) area or Tanabe.

Route Maps

Detour

Because of trail damage, there is a ~4 km detour from the forestry road junction east of Sign Post No. 43 to Jagata Jizo, south of the main pilgrimage route. The trail follows a forestry road for a short time (to Log Bridge noted on the Route Map) before climbing over the Iwagami-toge pass (~650 meters elevation). The trail then descends to the Jagata Jizo following another forestry road for part of the way.

Area Maps

Nakahechi Route Guide List

Nakahechi Route Main Sections