JP · Wakayama Prefecture · 33.84°N 135.77°E

kumano kodo

Ancient pilgrim trails through mossy forests to grand shrines and riverside onsen.

Best time
March to May and October to November. Summer is hot and humid, early summer is the rainy season, and typhoons can hit in August and September.
How long
2–4 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kansai Airport, about 6.5 hours. Take the JR limited express to Kii-Tanabe, about 2 hours from Osaka, then a local bus into the mountains to the trailheads.
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JP · Wakayama Prefecturekumano kodo33.84°N 135.77°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Ancient pilgrim trails through mossy forests to grand shrines and riverside onsen.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKumano KodoJP, Wakayama Prefecture
KLkumano kodo
≈ 4,910 km from KL, as the crow flies
Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route Seiganto-ji World heritage 熊野古道 青岸渡寺

Photo: Nekosuki · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A network of ancient pilgrim trails across the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka. Pilgrims have walked them for over 1,000 years to reach the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Today you can walk anything from a few hours to several days, staying at small inns with onsen along the way.

Makan

  1. Mehari-zushiRice balls wrapped in pickled mustard leaves, the traditional pilgrim's packed lunch.Map ↗
  2. UmeboshiWakayama grows much of Japan's ume plums, so the salty pickled plums are everywhere.Map ↗
  3. Onsen eggsAt Yunomine you can boil your own eggs in the hot spring water.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The Nakahechi routeThe classic route, from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha over two or three days through cedar forest and small villages.Map ↗
  2. Hosshinmon-oji to HonguThe most popular short walk, a few hours downhill through forest and farmland into Hongu.Map ↗
  3. Kumano Hongu Taisha and OyunoharaThe head shrine, plus the giant torii gate on the river flats where the shrine first stood.Map ↗
  4. Nachi FallsJapan's tallest single-drop waterfall, framed by the red pagoda of Seigantoji. Walk up via the Daimonzaka stone steps.Map ↗
  5. Yunomine and Kawayu onsenYunomine has Tsuboyu, a tiny bath that's part of the World Heritage site. At Kawayu, hot water bubbles up through the riverbed and you can dig your own pool.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Inns along the trail are small and fill up early in spring and autumn. Book ahead and arrange luggage transfer between them.
  • Carry cash and snacks. Villages are far apart, with few shops.
  • Trails get steep and slippery after rain. Wear proper hiking shoes.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.