Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka to Kyoto
You'll land at Osaka Kansai International Airport and catch the express train heading to Kyoto City. From there, grab a local taxi to your hotel and settle in for the night.
- Day 2
Kyoto
This is your chance to explore Kyoto at your own pace. The city has lots of Buddhist temples, quiet gardens, and traditional teahouses scattered throughout. If you want to venture out, Nara sits about 1 hour away by train and has historic sites and parks worth checking out.
Optional Activities
- Visit Buddhist temples in Kyoto
- Explore tranquil gardens in Kyoto
- Experience traditional teahouses in Kyoto
- Day trip to Nara (approx. 1 hour train from Kyoto)
- Day 3
Kyoto to Takahara
Take the train to Kii-Tanabe, then hop on a bus to Takijiri (you'll pay locally for this). From there, you'll start walking the Kumano Kodo Trail, specifically the Nakahechi route. The hike climbs from Takijiri up to Takahara, a ridge-top village where you'll spend the night in a Japanese-style hotel or minshuku.
Included Activities
- Train to Kii-Tanabe
- Walk the Nakahechi portion of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route from Takijiri to Takahara
Landmarks/POIs Kumano Kodo Trail - Day 4
Takahara to Chikatsuyu
After a traditional Japanese breakfast at your inn, the hiking continues along the Kumano Kodo Trail. You'll pass through small settlements, walk past several Oji shrines, and move through peaceful countryside before descending to Chikatsuyu village. Stay overnight at a minshuku guesthouse there.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional Japanese breakfast at inn)
Included Activities
- Traditional Japanese breakfast at inn
- Hike through Kumano Kodo Trail via Oji shrines to Chikatsuyu
Landmarks/POIs Oji Shrines - Day 5
Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Onsen
Continue from Chikatsuyu, hiking through mountain forests and small villages across the Kii Mountains toward Hongu. You'll reach Kumano Shrine at Hongu, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano and considered the sacred heart of these mountains. After, take a short bus ride to either Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen (one of Japan's oldest hot-spring villages). Soak in a Japanese bath before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious dinner at ryokan)
Included Activities
- Hike from Chikatsuyu to Hongu via forest trails over Kii Mountains
- Visit Kumano Shrine at Hongu (one of three Grand Shrines of Kumano)
- Bus ride to Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
- Soak in Japanese bath at onsen
Landmarks/POIs Kumano Shrine at Hongu Yunomine Onsen Kawayu Onsen - Day 6
Yunomine Onsen
Take it slow in Yunomine Onsen and relax at the hot springs. You can walk the Dainichi-goe or Akagi-goe sections of the trail if you want some activity, or head to nearby hot-spring villages like Watarase or Kawayu, just a couple of miles away.
Optional Activities
- Walk on Dainichi-goe section of trail
- Walk on Akagi-goe section of trail
- Visit nearby hot-spring village of Watarase
- Visit nearby hot-spring village of Kawayu
- Day 7
Yunomine Onsen to Koguchi
You have two hiking options today in this atmospheric village. Either take the Kogumotorigoe path up toward Koguchi, or try another section closer to Hongu with good valley views. The first route includes a short bus ride to Ukegawa on the Kumano River, then you hike up the pass and down to the remote village of Koguchi. You'll stay overnight at a ryokan there.
Included Activities
- Explore Yunomine Onsen village
- Hike Kogumotorigoe path from Ukegawa to Koguchi
Optional Activities
- Hike alternative section near Hongu with valley views
Landmarks/POIs Kogumotorigoe Pass - Day 8
Koguchi to Kii-Katsuura or Nachi-san
Finish the trail with a final hike from Koguchi up to Ogumotorigoe Pass where you can catch glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. Then descend to Nachi-san to see Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine (the third Grand Shrine of Kumano) and the spectacular Nachi-taki waterfall. Stay near the shrine or take a local bus to Kii-Katsuura, a port town with island-studded bay views.
Included Activities
- Hike from Koguchi to Ogumotorigoe Pass
- Visit Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine (one of three Grand Shrines of Kumano)
- View Nachi-taki waterfall
Optional Activities
- Bus ride to Kii-Katsuura port town (20-minute ride)
Landmarks/POIs Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Nachi-taki Waterfall - Day 9
Kii-Katsuura to Osaka
Explore Kii-Katsuura, an active fishing port with a lively early-morning fish market and nice views over the bay dotted with islands. Wander through interesting backstreets and a traditional covered shopping arcade. If interested, visit Hayatama Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Later, take a train around the Kii Peninsula to Osaka, then transfer by taxi to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Explore Kii-Katsuura fishing port and early-morning fish market
- Train to Osaka around Kii Peninsula
Optional Activities
- Visit Hayatama Shrine (one of three Grand Shrines of Kumano)
- Explore backstreets and traditional covered shopping arcade in Kii-Katsuura
Landmarks/POIs Hayatama Shrine - Day 10
Osaka
Check out Osaka, known as the food capital of western Japan. The Dotonbori area in the south has countless restaurants along the Dotonbori-gawa River with dinner and river views. Go see Osaka-jo, the symbolic castle rebuilt to its grand size after multiple fires. You can also explore Sumiyoshi Shrine if you want to see ancient architecture and sacred trees.
Optional Activities
- Visit Dotonbori area for dining and exploration
- Explore Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle)
- Visit Sumiyoshi Shrine (10-minute Nankai railway ride from Namba station)
Landmarks/POIs Dotonbori Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle) Sumiyoshi Shrine - Day 11
Osaka to Kansai Airport
Have breakfast at your hotel, then head to the airport. Take the train from Osaka Namba Nankai station to Osaka Kansai International Airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
