ITINERARIES Trekking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route Uncover the natural beauty and spiritual power of the ancient Kumano Pilgrimage Trail
One of Japan's most revered pilgrimage trails, the ancient Kumano Kodo weaves around the mountainous Kii Peninsula in Wakayama, passing through areas of remarkable spirituality and natural beauty.
Highlights
- Walking under the imposing Oyunohara gates
- Relaxing in the naturally heated water of Kawayu Onsen
- Marveling at the majestic Nachi-no-Otaki Falls
How to Get There
There are flights from Haneda Airport to Nanki Shirahama Airport (1 hour 10 minutes). Take the Meiko bus from the airport to Kii-Tanabe Station (50 minutes). From Kii-Tanabe Station there are seven buses to Hongu Taisha Shrine per day on the Ryujin Bus and Meiko Bus (2 hours). The last one departs at 4:40 p.m. Oyunohara is six minutes on foot from Hongu Taisha Shrine.
Take the JR Kuroshio Express from Osaka Station to Kii-Tanabe Station (2 hours 10 minutes). From Kii-Tanabe Station there are seven buses to Hongu Taisha Shrine per day on the Ryujin Bus and Meiko Bus (2 hours), the last one departs at 4:40 p.m. Oyunohara is a short walk from Hongu Taisha-mae.
The first leg of the pilgrimage will take you to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine 
. Pass through the gate and climb the 158 stairs to the altar of Kumano Hongu Taisha.
Oyunohara , the former site of Kumano Hongu Taisha, is 10 minutes walk away and has the largest torii gate in Japan standing an imposing 34 meters high and 42 meters wide.
Sitting along the route are the picturesque inns of Kumano Hongu Onsen Village. As the hot water bubbles up from below ground, it mixes with the cool river water creating the ideal bathing temperature. Here visitors can dig their own baths, and boil eggs and vegetables in the 90-degree hot spring water. The town is home to a number of ryokan (Japanese inns) for those wanting to spend the night.
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine can be reached via the stone-paved road known as Daimonzaka.Flanked by towering Japanese cedar trees, it makes for a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Adjacent to the shrine is Seigantoji Temple . During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the temple was divided into Seigantoji Temple and Nachi Taisha Shrine due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism (a government policy that attempted to remove Buddhist elements from shrines), but many visitors still pray at both locations.
A striking 133 meters tall, the majestic Nachi Falls boasts the highest drop of any waterfall in Japan. Surrounded by verdant foliage that transforms in color with the passing seasons in Nachisan , it's said this magnificent location is the area's original religious site. Soak up the energy of the falls and leave feeling rejuvenated.
