Kumano Nakahechi Intermediate 5 days
Experience the diversity of the Kumano
| Duration | 4 nights and 5 days |
| Departs | Daily |
| Price | From $1,350 per person (based on twin share) |
There’s a variety of experiences along the ancient Kumano pilgrimage. Enjoy a visit to all three Kumano Grand Shrines, a ride on a traditional boat, and asome time in onsen villages to enjoy the hot springs.
The Kumano Nakahechi Intermediate tour provides some challenging hikes, with some steep climbs and descents, along with some easier walks around the shrine areas (last 3 days).
Itinerary:
Day 1: Osaka – Takahara
Catch the early train to Kii-Tanabe. The right hand side of the train provides some great views of the Kii Peninsula. Visit the Tourist Information Centre for a brief tour orientation and up-to-date maps and transportation timetables. Head to the Kumano Travel Support Centre to drop off your luggage and shop for some local goods and souvenirs.
Board a bus to Takijiri, visit the Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Centre, then commence the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage trail to Takahara. (you will receive your luggage at your accommodation)
Distance: 3.7 km
Time: approx. 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Takahara – 1 night (Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch for day 2)
Day 2: Kumano Nakahechi (Takahara – Chikatsuyu-oji)
Luggage shuttle from Takahara to Chikatsuyu.
Pick up your lunch from your accommodation, then continue along the Kumano Kodo trail to Chikatsuyu-oji via Gyubadoji. Immerse yourself in the idyllic natural scenery.
Distance: 10 km
Time: approx. 4~6 hours
Accommodation: Chikatsuyu-oji – 1 night (Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch for Day 3)
Day 3: Kumano Kodo (Chikatsuyu-oji – Kumano Hongu Taisha)
Luggage shuttle from Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Onsen.
Pick up your lunch from your accommodation, and board a bus from Chikatsuyu to Hongu Taisha, then another bus to Hoshinmon-oji. Begin your day’s hike through the forest trails of the Kumano Kodo. Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, the head shrine to over 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan and one of the Kumano Sanzan (the three grand shrines of Kumano).
Walking Distance: 7 km
Time: approx. 2~3 hours
From Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, make your way to Oyunohara, site of the original Hongu Taisha, marked by the largest Torii gate in the world. Take a look at the Kumano Hongu Heritage Centre and learn more about Kumano’s cultural landscape.
Walk along the Dainichi-goe route (or take a local bus) from Hongu to Yunomine Onsen.
Walking Distance: 2 km
Time: approx. 1 – 2 hours
Accommodation: Yunomine Onsen – 1 night (Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch for Day 4)
Day 4: Yunomine Onsen – Kii-Katsuura
Luggage shuttle from Yunomine Onsen to Kii-Katsuura.
Board a local bus to Michi-no-Eki Kumano-gawa. Enjoy a river cruise in a traditional flat-bottomed wooden boat, as pilgrims have been doing for centuries, to Hayatama Taisha, the second Grand Shrine of Kumano. Visit Kamikura-jinja Shrine and marvel at the dynamic Gotobiki-iwa, a gigantic rock halfway up the mountain.
Take a train to Kii-Katsuura and explore the Onsen complex of Hotel Urashima. Soak in its famous Boki-do Cave Onsen, enjoying the incredibly spectacular scenery from the onsen bath.
Accommodation: Kii-Katsuura – 1 night (Dinner and Breakfast)
Day 5: Kii-Katsuura – Nachi Taisha
Catch a local bus to Daimonzaka, an impressive cobblestone staircase/slope which leads to Kumano Nachi Taisha (the third Grand Shrine of Kumano), Seiganto-ji and Nachi waterfall (the tallest waterfall in Japan).
Walking Distance: 1.5 km
Time: approx. 45 minutes
Move on to your next destination in the afternoon.
*The Kumano Nakahechi Intermediate 5 days tour can be changed and the length increased or decreased to match your requirements.
Highlights:
– Hike along the World Heritage Kumano Kodo Trail
– Experience the hidden onsen town of Yunomine and ocean-front Katsuura Onsen
– Visit the three grand shrines of Kumano
– Traditional flat-bottomed boat ride along the Kumano River
Package Details:
| Duration | 4 nights and 5 days (travel order can be changed, length of tour can be extended or decreased) |
| Departure Dates | Available all year round |
| Route | Kii-Tanabe, Takijiri, Kumano Kodo, Chikatsuyu-oji, Hongu, Yunomine Onsen, Shingu, Nachi-Katsuura, Nachi-san |
| Tour type | Self-guided package: pick up/drop off service is not available |
| Price (land fee) | Twin share from $1,350 per person |
| *Seasonal fee may apply (arriving in March, April, May, October and November) | |
Package inclusions:
– 4 nights accommodation in a standard room in 3-4 star hotel and/or ryokan
・ 1 night in Takahara – Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge or similar
・ 1 night in Chikatsuyu-oji – Happiness Chikatsuyu or similar
・ 1 night in Yunomine Onsen – Ryokan Adumaya or similar
・ 1 night in Katsuura Onsen – Hotel Urashima
– Meals
・ Dinner, breakfast and lunch at Takahara
・ Dinner, breakfast and lunch at Chikatsuyu-oji
・ Dinner, breakfast and lunch at Yunomine Onsen
・ Dinner and breakfast in Katsuura Onsen
– Luggage transfer service during Kumano Kodo walk (from Tanabe to Takahara to Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Onsen to Katsuura)
Package exclusions:
– Flights: We can assist with your flights to match your itinerary.
*If you have already booked your flight, please provide us with your flight details or send us copies of e-tickets when you book/enquire.
– Travel expenses
– Meals: Except as mentioned in the Package inclusions.
– Activities or tours: Except as mentioned in the Package inclusions.
*You can add any day tours or activities you like, we can arrange this for you.
– Admission fees: Except as mentioned in the Package inclusions.
– Personal expenses
– Travel insurance
Notes:
*Non-smoking rooms may be available on request. We book non-smoking rooms when available.
*Please read our term and conditions.
*Package inclusions are subject to availability.
*Prices are subject to currency fluctuations.
