Japan: Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Pilgrimage Walking Tour
Seven-night, seven-day inn-to-inn walk on Japan’s historic pilgrimage through forests, shrines, hot springs, and mountain hamlets.
“I like the fact it’s so easy to book a tour and the tours are so well organized” - Ryan N.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Start with an overnight temple stay on Mount Kōya, spiritual gateway to the Kumano Kodo, joining monks for meditation and vegetarian temple cuisine before the pilgrimage begins.
- Walk through centuries of history where forest paths, village hospitality, and mountain shrines have welcomed travellers for over a thousand years.
- A continuous, inn-to-inn walk on the Nakahechi route linking Hongū Taisha and Nachi Taisha, with stone paths, cedar forests, and timeless village life.
- Culturally rich highlights including Hongū Grand Shrine, the Ōyunohara torii, and Nachi Falls with its vermilion pagoda.
- Two nights in Yunomine Onsen to slow the pace and enjoy restorative hot-spring baths mid-route.
- One of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes in the world, officially twinned with Spain’s Camino de Santiago.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
This is a moderate mountain walk with one strenuous day. Trails are mostly single-track through forest, with stone steps, roots, and occasional steep ascents and descents. Daily distances range from 6–21km, or about 3–7 hours of walking, with noticeable elevation change most days. Surfaces are primarily unpaved forest paths, stone stairways, and rural lanes, suitable for confident walkers with moderate fitness.
Trails can be slippery after rain, and walking poles are recommended. The route is well waymarked, following official Kumano Kodo signage, and is best enjoyed at a steady, unhurried pace through forest, farmland, and pilgrimage villages.
Please bring a small daypack for essentials; your main luggage will be transferred daily between inns.
PRIVATE BATHROOMS:
Private bathrooms are available on 5 out of the 7 nights when reserved 9–12 months in advance. In smaller mountain inns and temples, some rooms use shared facilities, which in Japan typically means:
- Private, lockable bathing areas, often featuring traditional tiled tubs or small onsen baths.
- Separate men’s and women’s washrooms, maintained to high standards of cleanliness.
- In places like Koguchi and the temple stay at Mount Kōya, shared bathing and toilet facilities are the norm due to limited infrastructure.
LUGGAGE AND TRANSFERS:
Daily luggage transfer is included for one bag per person (up to 20 kg). Your main luggage will travel separately between inns, allowing you to walk each day with only a daypack.
Your guide accompanies the group throughout the journey, coordinating daily transfers (if necessary), meals, and timing on the trail. All transportation between walking sections—whether by local train, regional bus, or pre-booked taxi—is organized and managed by your guide, using Japan’s efficient local infrastructure.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Meet in Osaka, Transfer to Mount Kōya.
- 2: Morning Transfer to Trailhead, Kii-Tanabe to Takahara ~4km (+350 m / –150 m)
- 3: Takahara to Chikatsuyu, ~10km (+500m / -500m).
- 4: Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Onsen, up to ~21km (+900m / -1000m).
- 5: Yunomine Onsen to Hongū Taisha and return ~9km out-and-back (+550m / –550m).
- 6: Yunomine Onsen to Koguchi, 18km (+650m / -750m).
- 7: Koguchi to Nachi Taisha, 16km (+1000m / -1000m).
- 8: Departures.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Meet your guide at Nankai Namba Station, 09:00, Day 1. You will travel together into Mount Kōya by train and cable car.
Finish: Tour concludes after breakfast on Day 8 in Kii-Katsuura. Board the JR Kuroshio Limited Express to Shin-Osaka, where you can connect by high-speed bullet trains to Kyoto or Tokyo. The journey to Shin-Osaka takes approximately four hours.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Meet in Osaka, Transfer to Mount Kōya.
Begin your journey with an overnight stay on Mount Kōya (Kōyasan), the spiritual starting point of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. Travel with your guide by train and cable car into this 9th-century monastic town, where cedar forests and temple roofs blanket the mountaintop. Spend the night in a working temple, joining the monks for evening meditation and a traditional vegetarian meal (shōjin ryōri). The lantern-lit paths of the surrounding cemetery offer a quiet place for reflection before you retire to your tatami-floored room.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Temple stay at Mount Kōya (ensuite rooms limited; early booking 9–12 months ahead encouraged).DAY 2:
Morning Transfer to Trailhead, Kii-Tanabe to Takahara ~4km (+350 m / –150 m)
After the monks’ morning prayers and a temple breakfast, your guide leads you south from Mount Kōya to Kii-Tanabe to begin the walking portion of the pilgrimage. Together, you travel through the foothills toward the Takijiri-ōji trailhead—the traditional gateway to the sacred mountains. From here, the trail unfolds gently through cedar forest and terraced fields, following ancient waymarkers into the quiet village of Takahara.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge, Takahara (ensuite limited; early booking advised).DAY 3:
Takahara to Chikatsuyu, ~10km (+500m / -500m).
Walk through quiet cedar woods and small farm hamlets, tracing one of the most scenic stretches of the Nakahechi route. Pass the sacred precinct of Tsugizakura-ōji, the Toganoki jaya teahouse site, and the spring at Nonaka-no-Shimizu before descending gently into Chikatsuyu village.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Chikatsuyu Pon, Chikatsuyu. DAY 4:
Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Onsen, up to ~21km (+900m / -1000m).
Walk from Chikatsuyu along the main Nakahechi route through cedar forest and rural hamlets toward Yunomine Onsen. This is a long but rewarding section, with steady climbs and shaded descents, following historic stone paths and shrine markers that once guided imperial pilgrims. Reach Yunomine Onsen by mid-afternoon and settle in for a restorative soak in one of Japan’s oldest hot-spring villages.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Ryokan Adumaya, Yoshinoya, or Minshuku Kuraya; Yunomine Onsen. DAY 5:
Yunomine Onsen to Hongū Taisha and return ~9km out-and-back (+550m / –550m).
Begin with a short uphill walk on the Dainichi-goe path leading from Yunomine Onsen to Kumano Hongū Taisha. Along the way, stop at the Oyunohara View Point for sweeping views of the great torii and the Kumano River valley before descending to the shrine. Visit the Kumano Hongū Heritage Center to learn about the pilgrimage’s history, then retrace your steps to Yunomine Onsen for another evening of onsen bathing. Those who prefer a quieter day may stay in the village to enjoy Tsuboyu, the UNESCO-listed private bath, or explore nearby restaurants and shops.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Same lodging.DAY 6:
Yunomine Onsen to Koguchi, 18km (+650m / -750m).
Follow the Kogumotori-goe section of the pilgrimage, a forested ridgeline through peaceful mountain scenery with views across deep valleys. Descend gradually into Koguchi, a remote hamlet tucked high in the hills.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie, Koguchi. (Shared facilities are the norm here due to limited local infrastructure.) DAY 7:
Koguchi to Nachi Taisha, 16km (+1000m / -1000m).
Walk the Ogumotori-goe, the most dramatic section of the trail, featuring the demanding Dogiri zaka climb and descent on ancient stone paths. Arrive at Kumano Nachi Taisha and neighbouring Seiganto-ji Temple, then continue to the pagoda viewpoint overlooking Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Those with energy to spare can include the cobblestone Daimonzaka slope for classic pilgrimage photos. Transfer to the coast for your final night by the sea.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Onsen hotel in Nachi-Katsuura. DAY 8:
Departures.
After breakfast, early risers can visit the Katsuura tuna auction at the harbour market before boarding the JR Limited Express Kuroshio to Shin-Osaka for onward connections to Kyoto or Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2026 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
2027 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: TBA (per person, double occupancy)
TBA
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: TBA (per person, double occupancy)
TBA
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add TBA
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice. VAT included.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided departure, this usually involves a surcharge depending on the details. Those who prefer to travel self-guided typically need only two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and we can sometimes offer reduced rates for larger groups. Please get in touch for more information.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is late April to early June, and mid-October to mid-November.
Spring (late April to early June) Daytimes are usually 10–20 °C (50–70 °F) with low humidity and stable weather. The cherry blossom rush has passed by late April, making the trails notably quieter.
Summer (July to September) Temperatures rise to 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) with high humidity and frequent rainfall. Trails remain open, but long walking days can feel demanding in the heat.
Autumn (mid-October to mid-November) Expect daytime highs of 16–24 °C (61–75 °F) and cool evenings. This is the most comfortable season for walking, with clear air and vivid mountain foliage.
GET TO THE START
If you fly:
The best option is to fly into Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX). From the airport, it’s an easy train ride into central Osaka. The Nankai Airport Express runs directly to Namba Station in about 45 minutes.
If you are already in Japan:
Travel to central Osaka by train and make your way to Nankai Namba Station. The station is a major hub with excellent signage and several hotel options within walking distance.
AFTER THE FINISH
Walking finishes after breakfast on Day 8 in Kii-Katsuura. The JR Kuroshio Limited Express provides a comfortable, scenic return to Shin-Osaka in about four hours. From there, it is straightforward to reach local hotels, Kansai Airport, Kyoto, or high-speed bullet trains to Tokyo. It is best to continue your travels that afternoon or stay overnight in Osaka before flying home. Contact us if you’d like recommendations for accommodations near Shin-Osaka or in the Namba area.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Spend a night in Osaka and explore the city’s food scene — the neighbourhoods around Namba and Shinsaibashi offer excellent dining and easy walking.
If you have several days:
Extend your stay in Japan with a visit to Kyoto, Nara, or the Kii Peninsula’s coastal villages. For those keen to continue walking, nearby trails such as the Kohechi and the Iseji offer quieter, lesser-known pilgrimage sections connected to the Kumano tradition. Let us know if you’d like help arranging pre- or post-tour nights in Osaka or Kyoto.
MORE READING
This pilgrimage is one of the world’s great historic walks — a continuous, inn-to-inn route that threads through cedar forests, mountain passes, and centuries-old shrine precincts. The pace allows you to appreciate the landscape in detail: stone paths polished by generations of travellers, small farm hamlets tucked into valleys, and hot-spring villages that have welcomed walkers for more than a thousand years. While the distances are manageable for most confident walkers, one or two days involve steady climbing on uneven terrain. The combination of mountain scenery, cultural depth, and traditional inns makes the Nakahechi an unforgettable journey for thoughtful travellers who enjoy walking with purpose and history underfoot.