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 near Hongū 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 Hongū, up to ~22km (+850m / -1100m).
• 5: Hongū Taisha and the Kumano River Valley.
• 6: Kawayu Onsen to Koguchi, 15km (+600m / -600m).
• 7: Koguchi to Nachi Taisha, 16km (+1000m / -1000m).
• 8: Departures.

(Click image to enlarge)

x

Close

 

Activity Levels

x

To help you choose an appropriate level of daily challenge, we use elevation profiles to represent the route, and a challenge-rating system using symbols from the skiing world. Many of you will already be familiar with it; If not, here is a brief explanation. Note that these classifications may vary with weather and/or road conditions, and you should always arrive with a sense of fun and adventure. If you are unsure, choose a guided trip. The vehicle support can help you get over any hill, and can turn even the most difficult trip into an easy one.

 

---

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.

Close