Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail
7 Days Starting in Kyoto or Osaka and ending in Osaka or Kyoto
Visiting: Kii Peninsula, Chikatsuyu Pon, Hongucho Hongu, Dainichi-goe Nobori-guchi, Ukegawa, Nachi Waterfall, Kii-Katsuura Station
Tour operator:
Tour code:
226
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Kii Peninsula points south away from Kyoto and Osaka and is one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan, despite its proximity to these great cities. On the Kii Peninsula are the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, pilgrimage destinations for successive emperors and their families from Kyoto since the 11th century. There were several pilgrimage trails, including the Nakahechi-do, Kohechi-do and Ohechi-do, collectively known as the Kumano Kodo (‘Old Road of Kumano’).
Our itinerary focuses on parts of the Nakahechi-do, weaving through forested mountains and small villages towards the Grand Shrine of Hongu.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Kii Peninsula, Hike Takijiri To Takahara - 4.5Km
Location: Kii Peninsula
Accommodation: Minshuku in Kurisugawa or Japanese style lodge in Takahara
Meals Included: Dinner
Our tour includes train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or Osaka to the small town of Kii-Tanabe on the mystical Kii Peninsula, the gateway to the historic Kumano Kodo Trail. The railway line runs close to the ocean for the latter part of the journey and offers fine views out over the sea. The journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe is around two and a half hours; from Kyoto, it is around three hours and usually requires a change of trains at Shin-Osaka station.
Board a local bus outside Kii-Tanabe station and travel forty minutes to Takijiri. This is where your walk on the Nakahechi portion of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route begins. From Takijiri, the path climbs steadily to the ridge-top village of Takahara and takes around two hours. Stay tonight in a small, Japanese-style hotel in the tiny village of Takahara, or a Japanese Minshuku in the nearby village of Kurisugawa. Both options serve good, home-cooked dinners featuring local seasonal ingredients. The small Japanese-style hotel in Takahara has both Japanese and western-style rooms, all with beautiful views over the valley and mountains.
Accommodation: Minshuku in Kurisugawa or Japanese style lodge in Takahara
Walking for the day: 4.5km, 2h, ↑370m (those who do not want to walk can be picked up by car)
Day 2 : Takahara To Chikatsuya - 10Km
Location: Chikatsuyu Pon
Accommodation: Minshuku in Chikatsuyu or Nonaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After your Japanese breakfast, you leave your inn and follow the trail as it winds through small settlements and peaceful countryside. You pass several Oji shrines before finally descending to the village of Chikatsuyu. The paths are clearly defined, and flagstones have been laid in some places to make the climbs easier. Arrive in Chikatsuyu in time to relax before dinner at a family-run Minshuku guesthouse.
Accommodation: Minshuku in Chikatsuyu or Nonaka
Walking for the day: 10km, 4-5h, ↑480m ↓520m (those who do not want to walk can easily transfer by local bus – 30min)
Day 3 : Chikatsuyu To The Grand Shrine At Hongu - 24Km
Location: Hongucho Hongu
Accommodation: Ryokan in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
From Chikatsuyu, the trail continues through the mountains to Hongu. The trail passes through small villages and forest trails over the Kii Mountains to the Kumano shrine at Hongu, one of the three ‘Grand Shrines of Kumano’. At the heart of these sacred mountains, Kumano was said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi, the ‘other world’ which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology. From the Kumano shrine at Hongu, a short bus ride brings you to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest natural hot-spring villages in Japan, or Kawayu Onsen famous for the thermal water bubbling to the surface of the crystal clear river. Enjoy a relaxing soak in a Japanese bath before or after your delicious, multi-course dinner.
Accommodation: Ryokan in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
Walking for the day: 24km, 8-9h, ↑820m ↓1,140m (we offer two shorter alternatives of 7h (15km) or 2h (7km), using a local bus from Chikatsuyu to shorten the walk; you can choose which option you prefer on the day – no need to decide in advance)
Day 4 : Dainichigoe And Akagigoe - 9Km
Location: Dainichi-goe Nobori-guchi
Accommodation: Ryokan in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a leisurely second night in the picturesque hot-spring village of Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen part-way along the trail. On this day, we offer two different optional walks on new sections of the trail, which can be combined if you wish. Today’s shorter optional walk is 2h on the Dainichigoe trail between Yunomine Onsen and Hongu. You can walk both ways or ride one way by bus. Or combine the Dainichigoe trail with the Akagigoe trail for a satisfying full-day hike. We also offer unique cultural experiences, such as travelling by boat along the Kumano River, making your own traditional Japanese Washi paper or undertaking a spiritual meditation session.
Accommodation: Ryokan in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
Walking for the day: 9km, 3-4h ↑610m ↓585m (longer option: 16km, 5-6h)
Day 5 : Ukegawa To Koguchi - 12.5Km
Location: Ukegawa
Accommodation: Japanese Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Before or after breakfast, take time to explore the atmospheric village where you spent the night. Today’s journey begins with a short bus ride to Ukegawa on the banks of the Kumano River. From Ukegawa, you start on the Kogumotorigoe path, which heads up to the Kogumotorigoe Pass before descending to the remote village of Koguchi. The trail is not difficult and today’s hike should take you about 4h. A warm welcome and good food await you at an engaging lodge created from a former school building. Explore along the river and have a swim if the weather is warm.
Accommodation: Japanese Lodge
Walking for the day: 12.5km, 4-5h, ↑520m ↓500m
Day 6 : Nachi Grand Shrine An Waterfall - 15Km
Location: Nachi Waterfall
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse) in Miuraguchi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The final section of the trail takes you from Koguchi up to the Ogumotorigoe Pass with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. It then descends to Nachi-san, the location of Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano and Nachi-taki waterfall. Stay overnight either in the small village of Nachi-san close to the shrine, or take a local bus for the twenty-minute ride to the port town of Kii-Katsuura with wonderful views over the island-studded bay. Enjoy dinner and breakfast served by your hosts at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse) in Miuraguchi. This evening, we also offer an optional upgrade to an Onsen hotel, located on its own secluded island in Kii-Katsuura bay. This extension also enables you to join the tuna auction at the port on your final morning.
Walking for the day: 15km, 6-7h, ↑980m ↓920m
Day 7 : Kii-Katsuura. Departure To Osaka Or Kyoto - 14Km
Location: Kii-Katsuura Station
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kii-Katsuura is an active fishing port and has a lively early-morning fish market. Enjoy the views out over the island-studded bay. There are intriguing backstreets and a traditionally covered shopping arcade to explore, too. We provide train tickets for you to board a train at lunchtime, travel back around the Kii Peninsula and arrive in Osaka or Kyoto mid to late afternoon.
What's Included
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Accommodation for 6 nights in Japanese style inns. Japanese-style accommodation will usually be in tatami-mat rooms
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6 Breakfasts and 6 dinners
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Individual train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka to the Kumano Kodo trail, and from the Kumano Kodo trail to Kyoto or Osaka
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Topographical maps and walking Instructions
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Entrance fees to museums, temples etc.
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Please pay locally for the bus journeys. Personal expenses. Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Luggage transfers
Check out our Q&As
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Solo travellers
A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room. This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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When to go
We can organise this walking tour all year round, but the best months for hiking are from April to October. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your holiday on any date in the season – so please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
Please note that travel during Golden Week, O-Bon, or the End of Year holidays may incur supplements of up to 20%. We will only pass along to you the actual supplement charged to us by the accommodation, and we do not mark these up. -
Meals and dietary requirements
All breakfasts (6) and 6 dinners on walking days are included. Most meals will be Japanese cuisine. Vegetarian options are available, but limited. Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be difficult to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine. Tips are not required in Japan.
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Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is suitable for active and fit walkers who do regular full-day walking or hiking and are comfortable walking for extended periods on consecutive days, with much of each day involving ascent and descent. Many of the walks can be optionally shortened (or completely skipped) using the excellent local public transportation system. Routes are well signposted in most parts. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.