Overview
A six day, self-guided adventure walking the Kumano Kodo’s Kiiji route, which also connects with the more well-known Nakahechi Route. This is a relatively gentle walking holiday, while still taking you to some of the key shrines on this iconic spiritual trail. Starting in Kainan, you access Fujishiro Shrine very quickly, where the torii gate is considered the first of the Kumano. Staying at various traditional ryokan, onsen or minshuku accommodations, cultural highlights are the three Grand Shrines of Hongu, Hayatama and Nachi. At Nachi, you also get a chance to visit Nachi Falls, the highest in Japan, a dramatic way to bring this joyous Japanese walking holiday to a close. Breakfast and dinner are included on most days.
Please note: the cost of luggage transfers is not included. Most pilgrims use the very efficient Takkyubin Courier service, bookable locally with your accommodation providers. More details below.
- Kumano Kodo
- Kii Peninsula
- Grand Shrines of Kumano
- Kii-Katsuura
- Seiganto-ji Temple
- Nachi Falls
- Onsen hot springs
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kainan and hike on the Kiiji route | 5.3/14.2km
Take a train from Kyoto (2h) or Osaka (1h30) to Kainan station, on the western coast of the Kii Peninsula (included). From here, begin the first walk with a visit to Fujishiro Shrine, considered the true entry point of the Kumano Kodo. The route follows a well-preserved section of the Kiiji route, mixing town paths with forest trails through small villages and rural landscapes. Along the way, pass pilgrimage sites such as Gosho no Shiba, the Haraedo Oji ruins and Jizoboji Temple. There’s an option to continue to Kitsumoto Shrine. Overnight in Yuasa or Aridagawa.
- Walking for the day: 5.3km, 2h, ↑300m ↓270m (optional walk: 8.9km, 3-4h, ↑220m ↓220m)
- Accommodation: ryokan or minshuku in Yuasa or Aridagawa
- Meals: dinner
Day 2: Yuasa – Hidaka | 7.9km
You are transferred to the trailhead near Yuasa (40mins). Walk south towards Haradani, crossing Gonose-toge Pass, which is home to the longest preserved section of ishidatami cobblestone paving on the Kumano Kodo. The route climbs steadily before descending through forest, farmland and small hamlets, passing the Gonose Oji ruins, Komyoji Temple and Kanazaki woodworks, highlighting the area’s craft heritage. We recommend visiting the last remaining family-operated black bamboo workshop in Haradani before continuing to Hidaka.
- Walking for the day: 7.9km, 3h, ↑370m ↓310m
- Accommodation: minshuku in Hidaka
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Takijiri – Takahara | 5.8km
Travel by local bus (40mins, payable locally) from the coast into the interior of the Kii Peninsula to Takijiri, a long-established place of pilgrimage that marks the start of the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo. From here, the trail climbs steadily through forest before easing off, leading to the ridge-top village of Takahara. The route provides open views across the surrounding valleys, such as from Takahara Viewpoint KU1. After some time in Takahara, continue by local bus (15mins, payable locally) to Chikatsuyu or Nonaka.
- Walking for the day: 5.8km, about 2.5h, ↑390m ↓160m
- Accommodation: minshuku in Chikatsuyu or Nonaka
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Chikatsuyu or Nonaka – Hongu | 7/24km
Transfer by local bus (45mins, payable locally) and walk a gentle section of the Nakahechi Route towards Hongu. The walk begins with a steady climb before continuing on forest and mountain paths, arriving at Hosshinmon-oji. Follow a ridge route through small settlements, woodland and farmland before descending towards Oyunohara, the former shrine site, and then continuing to Hongu Grand Shrine. From Hongu, travel by local bus (20mins, payable locally) to the selected hot spring village.
Please note: alternative walking options are available today. More confident walkers can complete the full route from Chikatsuyu to Hongu on foot, with no bus transfer. A moderate option uses a short local bus transfer (10mins, payable locally) to shorten the initial ascent. All options converge at Hongu, followed by a local bus transfer to the hot spring village.
- Walking for the day: 7km, about 2h, ↑170m ↓440m (easy option), 15km, about 6–7h, ↑770m ↓1,190m (moderate option) 24km, about 8–9h, ↑1,450m ↓1,680m (strenuous option)
- Accommodation: ryokan or minshuku in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Hayatama Grand Shrine and Nachi Grand Shrine | 2.6km
Travel by bus (1h, payable locally) to the eastern side of the Kii Peninsula to visit Hayatama Grand Shrine, located near the Kumano River. Continue to Nachi, where a short walk follows the Daimonzaka, a sacred approach which follows an ancient stone staircase leading to Nachi Falls, Japan’s largest waterfall with an uninterrupted drop (133m). Visit Nachi Grand Shrine, with time to visit nearby Seiganto-ji Temple and Nachi Falls before taking a bus (20mins, payable locally) to Kii-Katsuura for the night.
- Walking for the day: 2.6km, 2h, ↑280m ↓160m.
- Accommodation: onsen hotel in Kii-Katsuura
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Departure
Kii-Katsuura is an active fishing port and has a lively early morning fish market. Take the time to take in the views out over the island-studded bay. Then take the train (included) around lunchtime to travel back to Osaka (4h) or Kyoto (4h 31mins) for mid to late afternoon.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of locally owned hotels, ryokans and minshuku. Ryokans are traditional Japanese-style inns, located in either modern concrete or older wooden buildings. Some ryokans have onsen baths, communal hot spring-style facilities segregated by gender. Bathroom facilities may be ensuite, private external or shared, depending on the property. Minshuku are simpler, family-run guesthouses with more basic facilities and bathrooms may be shared. Rooms are Japanese style with tatami mats and futon bedding and meals are typically home-cooked multi-course dinners, served in a shared dining area.
All accommodation have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food and commitment to responsible tourism. Please note that, in Japan, it is common for accommodations to have twin rooms rather than double. If you prefer a double bed, we will happily request this at time of booking, however it can’t always be guaranteed.
Meals
Five breakfasts and dinners are included. Meals are typically home-cooked multi-course dinners. They are mostly prepared using local and seasonal ingredients and are served together in a shared dining area. Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten-free diets can 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. Please note that we are unable to accommodate booking requests for travellers with severe allergies, since cross-contamination cannot be avoided.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is moderate and suitable for walkers who do regular walking or hiking (read more about difficulty grades). Daily walking distances typically range between 5.3km and 7.9km, with walking times generally between 2 and 4h, allowing time to explore villages and cultural sites along the route. The route follows a mixture of paved village paths, cobblestone sections and unpaved forest trails.
The Kiiji route is generally gentle, with moderate ascents and descents. After joining the inland Nakahechi Route, some stages include steadier climbs, particularly on the approach to Takahara and on selected Nakahechi sections. On selected days, alternative walking options or the use of local public transport allow distances to be shortened or extended, depending on preference.
Detailed road notes and maps are provided and 24/7 local assistance is available throughout the tour. More detailed information on route navigation is included in the holiday information pack.
When to go
This tour is available all year. 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. Spring and autumn generally offer mild temperatures, typically ranging from 10–20C. Summer is warmer and more humid, with daytime temperatures often reaching 25–30C. Winter is cooler, with temperatures occasionally dropping to 0–5C on inland sections, where snowfall is possible between December and March.
Travel during Golden Week, O-Bon or the end of year holidays may incur supplements of up to 20%. Any such supplement reflects the additional cost charged by the accommodation and is passed on at cost. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to Japan.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Kansai International Airport (KIX).
By train or bus
- Individual train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka to the Kumano Kodo trail, and from the Kumano Kodo trail to Kyoto or Osaka are included in your package. Please note this does not include airport transfers.There are regular trains from Kansai Airport to Osaka and Kyoto. For timetables and further information, visit Navitime or use the Omio planner above.
- From Tokyo, there are Shinkansen services to Osaka and Kyoto. For timetables and further information, visit Navitime or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- Five nights accommodation
- Five breakfasts and five dinners
- Return train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka
- Taxi transfer on day two
- Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions, topographical maps and guidebooks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare to and from Japan
- Airport transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Luggage transfers
- Local journeys by bus
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Entrance fees to museums, temples etc.
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights are available on request.
Baggage transfers
Please note that daily luggage transfers are not available for this tour. The best way to deal with excess luggage is to send it ahead using Japan’s excellent Takkyubin Courier service. These services are secure, efficient and economical, typically around ¥2,000 (€12-13) per bag, per transfer. Luggage will not be able to be transferred to every hotel, so you will need to carry overnight essentials in your daypack for the intervening nights. Takkyubin can be arranged once you are in Japan, usually with help from the concierge of your hotel or guesthouse. Some smaller local hotels and inns may not offer the service, but they will direct you to the nearest location where the service is available, such as local convenience shops.
All inns provide cotton yukata gowns and slippers for you to wear after arrival for dining, relaxing in your room, exploring outside and sleeping. They also provide small towels, soap, shampoo and hairdryers. You don’t need a complete change of clothing for the evening, so it is possible to manage with just a medium daypack to carry overnight essentials.
Please note: For this tour, we recommend sending main luggage from the accommodation before the trail directly to Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen (day four) and then onwards to the accommodation used after the walk.
