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Suggested Walks

There are many options for walking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route. You can do a few minutes walk to a week-long trek through the mountains. Walking times can vary depending on walking pace and rest times. Please give yourself lots of time to enjoy the mountains of Kumano safely. Also, be prepared for rain, it is an area with lots of precipitation.

2 Day Walks

Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha

For this walk, you will need to stay the first night in Tanabe.  Then the next morning take the bus to Takijiri-oji to begin the walk.

Day 1

Day 2

 * Buses stop at Chikatsuyu-oji, so you can choose to do one or both days’ walk.
※ It is best to stay the night in Tanabe before your walk or stay in Takahara for the first night if you are planning to come from Osaka or Kyoto. Even if you take the earliest train and bus from Osaka or Kyoto, you will not have sufficient time to complete the entire walk from Takijiri to Chikatsuyu or Nonaka.

Sample Itineraries

View details and book locally online.

Hongu area to Kumano Nachi Taisha

For this walk, it is best to stay the first night in the Hongu area such as Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, or Watarase Onsen.  Then the next morning take the bus to Ukegawa to begin the walk.

Day 1

Day 2

*This walk is good in either direction.
*It can also be easily linked up with the walk from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
(If you do that it is nice to have a rest day in Hongu to enjoy the onsens and countryside atmosphere)

Sample Itineraries

View details and book locally online.

Day Walks

For this walk, it is best to stay the first night in the Hongu area such as Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, or Watarase Onsen.  The most convenient places to stay are Yunomine Onsen and Hongu village because they are directly on the loop walk.

Hongu Loop

Half Day Walks

For this walk, it is best to stay the first night in the Hongu area such as Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, or Watarase Onsen.  Then the next morning take the bus to Hosshinmon-oji (or shuttle from your accommodation) to begin the walk.

Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha

*Bring a lunch to enjoy along the trail. Fushiogami-oji is a popular lunch stop.

Kumano Hongu Taisha to Yunomine Onsen (Dainichi-goe route)

Kumano Nachi Taisha (Daimon-zaka section)

  • The Daimon-zaka is a short but scenic cobblestone staircase that runs from the valley bottom, to the Nachisan Shrine-Temple complex.
  • Nachisan Map

Sample Itineraries

View details and book locally online.

Multi-day walks

Sample Itineraries

View details and book locally online.

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