The Kumano Kodo Japan

Highlights of the Kumano Kodo Trail

• Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Imperial Route
• Countless ancient Oji and cultural sites, authentic and ancient landscapes
• Small authentic Japanese rural villages, lodging and meals
• Rest day mid-walk in an Onsen village to recover, soak up the experience
• Hongu Taisha and Nachi Taisha Grand Temples, plus the Nachi waterfalls

The best months to walk the Kumano Kodo are March - May and September - November. 

The start of the Kumano Kodo Trail is located 2-hours by local train from Osaka.

Hiking Trails Pty Ltd offers curated 7-Day / 6-night Kumano Kodo self-guided walking packages including a rest day in an Onsen village midwalk from $2190 AUD per person.

Booking the Kumano Kodo with Hiking Trails Pty Ltd gives Australian travellers a simpler and more personalised way to experience one of Japan’s most rewarding walks. Rather than navigating complex accommodation bookings, luggage transfers and regional transport on your own, Hiking Trails specialises in curated self-guided itineraries that combine authentic local stays, traditional meals and practical on-ground support from a team that understands the trail firsthand. Their focus on the Kumano Kodo means guests can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the spiritual landscapes, mountain villages and cultural depth that make this pilgrimage so special.

The Kumano Kodo is a series of ancient pilgrimage trails that cross over Kii Peninsula on the bottom east corner of Honshu, the main island of Japan.The walk starts near the small city of Tanabe which is located a couple of hours train ride from Osaka, and ends at Nachi Taisha Grand Temple and waterfalls, near the fishing port and Onsen town of Kii Katsuura.

Our exclusive 6-Day Self-Guided Kumano Kodo Walking Package, provides pilgrims and hikers an opportunity to walk the Nakahechi Trail, followed by the Ogumotori-Goe and the Kogumotori-Goe.

The Kumano Kodo is located just 2-hours by local train from Osaka. 

Similar to Hiking Trails Pty Ltd's new Shin-etsu Trail packages, our Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail self-guided walking package provide expert knowledge and valuable local connections, to ensure you have a smooth, well organised, and inspirational walking experience on the Kumano Kodo, inclusive of great advice, available information, local support, traditional Japanese minshuku and ryokan accommodation, warm helpful hosts, and authentic, seasonal, Japanese meals. 

The various Kumano Kodo walks take in up to three of the Great Shrines of Kumano; Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. We've also written a Brief History of the Kumano Kodo. 

The walking itself along the Kumano Kodo varies significantly day to day and even hour to hour. At times you’ll be walking through tall dense (but well manicured) forest, and then at other stages through low shrub, along and crossing creeks, and at times along short sections of road, climbing up and down throughout each day.

You can check out the Kumano Kodo route maps here.

The trail surface varies from stone steps and stone cobbled pathways, to steps made of felled trees and timber, dirt paths, and as some short sections of road into and through small traditional Japanese villages.

The walking is beautiful at every turn. Along the way there are countless stone carved shrines called Oji, historical sites of lodgings and tea houses past, and surreal abandoned stone terracing walls. At times the walk passes through small towns, or even at one stage the ruins of a village evacuated in the 1970’s.

Many of these small towns and villages offers hikers and pilgrims accommodation and meals in small traditional Japanese Minshuku and Ryokan. These villages are quiet, picturesque, authentic and surreal all rolled into one fascinating experience.

Whilst there are a small range of accommodation styles along the walk for walkers to stay overnight, the most common for modern day Kumano Kodo pilgrims are the Minshuku. Minshuku are small Japanese guest houses, often only a very small number of guest rooms, and very traditional in nature, sometimes including Japanese Onsens and often offering meals to guests.

The Kumano Kodo is one of Japan’s most iconic pilgrimage routes, attracting travellers from around the world who want to experience a deeper side of rural Japan. Winding through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, the Kumano Kodo connects a network of ancient shrines, forest trails, and traditional villages that have welcomed pilgrims for over a thousand years. For Australian travellers seeking a unique walking experience, the Kumano Kodo offers a rare combination of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and authentic Japanese hospitality.

Walking the Kumano Kodo allows visitors to follow stone pathways lined with cedar forests, quiet mountain passes, and hidden temples that feel untouched by time. The route leads to the revered Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three grand shrines of Kumano and a spiritual highlight of the journey. Many hikers choose the popular Nakahechi route because it provides a balance of moderate walking, scenic landscapes, and comfortable accommodation in traditional ryokan and small guesthouses along the trail.

For travellers planning a guided or self-guided adventure in Japan, the Kumano Kodo has become one of the country’s most sought-after walking holidays. The trail is often compared with Spain’s Camino de Santiago because both routes share UNESCO World Heritage recognition and a long spiritual history. Whether you are drawn by cultural immersion, wellness, or the beauty of Japan’s countryside, the Kumano Kodo offers an unforgettable journey that combines meaningful travel with one of the most rewarding hikes in Japan.

The best months to walk the Kumano Kodo are March - May and September - November. 

This hike is for advanced hikers capable of walking long distances including uphill and downhill sections, with varying trail surfaces and weather, carrying a day pack. Hiking poles are recommended for this walk and good quality hiking footwear is required.