Kumano Kodo ‘Kohechi’ Adventure

Welcome to beautiful Japan. If travelling with our Big Heart Adventures guide from Australia you will travel by train from Osaka, then by cable-car to Koyasan (own expense). Plan to arrive in Koyasan at lunchtime for a briefing prior to checking into your accommodation. Here, you will also be introduced to the trekking team.

Your accommodation tonight is in a Buddhist temple. Staying with the monks is special and a must-do experience for any visitor to Japan. Dinner is served at the temple and will be a Buddhist vegetarian meal called shojin ryori.

Also, this evening at 7:00pm you have a 90 minute guided night tour of the spiritually spectacular Okunoin Cemetery by a local monk. A memorable and enlightening experience.

Meals Included: Dinner
Walking Distance: – 

At sunrise you have the chance to experience daily temple life. You are invited to attend the early morning ceremony which may include a Goma fire ritual. The rituals flames can sometimes reach metres high.

This morning, we guide you along a section of the Nyonin-michi (Women’s Route). A section that samples what to expect on the Kohechi Trail. We will enjoy lunch together at a local eatery and discuss final preparations. Then you have the choice to either rest in the afternoon or join us for a casual history stroll around town. Koyasan is an easy place to walk and has history going back to the year 826 when Kobo Daishi chose this place as the centre of Shingon Buddhism.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Walking Distance: up to 10km

A traditional breakfast and then we collect our pack lunch and start our trek into the mountains to Omata.

Today’s walk has some steep inclines and downhill slopes on uneven terrain as we follow the trail from Koyasan. You will climb to 1100m altitude and remain above 700m for the whole day. The route also follows paved roads at times as we make our way to the remote regions of the Kii Peninsula.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Walking Distance: 19km

Another big days hiking is in front of us as we make our way to Miura-guichi.

Today’s walk starts with a steep incline as we continue on the trail. It is the most challenging section along the Kohechi route due to it’s remoteness, altitude and steepness. Your efforts are rewarded however with far-reaching views and misty mountain tops. You will climb to around 1300m altitude, spending most of the day in isolated mountains before descending to under 400m.

Tonight’s accommodation provides a unique insight into family life in these small and beautiful villages.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 17km

Todays trek starts by crossing the Kanno-gawa River via a bridge. Then its a steady climb up into the mountains and back to over 1000m altitude at the Miura-toge Pass. Crossing the pass, you continue on the remote mountain trail enjoying the views over the valleys, before descending to the Nishi-gawa River.

Although longer in distance, todays walk is less strenuous. The final 8km today is on a paved road and is a pretty walk alongside the river with an icecream or treat supplied along the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 20km

After a soothing private onsen and a hardy meal to recharge the body, we are ready for this mornings climb. Its steep but along the way you are rewarded by reaching the beautiful Hatenashi Settlement. With sweeping mountain ranges its easy to see why this is considered to be one of Japan’s prettiest villages.

After a rest we continue our steep ascent up to Hatenashi-toge Pass. This pass is also over 1000m altitude. Then the trail descends with nice views towards our destination at Hongu. Leaving the mountain it’s a short walk to complete the Kohechi Trail at Michi-no-Eki OkuKumano Kodo Hongu. Celebrate with a drink then board the local bus for a short ride to our accommodation.

Tonight we stay in Yunomine Onsen. A fitting end to our trek as past pilgrims traditionally performed purification rituals in the piping hot mineral waters here, after their long journey in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha. Optional karaoke is also available at our accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 13km

Today we explore Yunomine Onsen and Hongu.

We catch a local bus back to Hongu and majestic Oyunohara, the world’s largest Torii gateway. We also visit the informative Heritage Centre. Here it is possible via prior arrangement to receive a Dual Pilgrimage Certificate if you have completed both the Camino in Spain and the Kohechi route of the Kumano Kodo. Also we visit the Kumano Hongu Taisha, with time for you to explore, reflect and participate in a drum ceremony for dual pilgrims.

We enjoy lunch together at a restaurant before boarding a bus to Tanabe (2 hours). Tanabe is the main service town for the Kumano Kodo and has regular trains to onward destinations. We will assist you with purchasing train tickets.

Dinner tonight is at a restaurant close to our accommodation and the train station. Afterwards we witness 3000 rounds of fireworks at the Benkei Matsuri festival (Autumn tour only). Tanabe’s annual celebration of Benkei, Japan’s toughest monk warrior.

Meals Included: – Breakfast, Lunch
Walking Distance: 4km

Following a leisurely breakfast we say our goodbyes and best wishes for ongoing journeys. Your Kumano Kodo ‘Kohechi’ Adventure tour ends here at the hotel in Tanabe.

If travelling to Australia, you can travel to Osaka Kansai Airport by train from Tanabe with our Big Heart Adventures leader guide.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: –

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as CHALLENGING
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information

Koyasan to Omata

Distance: 19km
Elevation Gain: 700m
Elevation Loss: 850m

Omata to Miura-guchi

Distance: 17km
Elevation Gain: 750m
Elevation Loss: 1100m

Miura-guchi to Totsukawa Onsen

Distance: 20km
Elevation Gain: 825m
Elevation Loss: 1050m

Totsukawa Onsen to Hongu

Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 1000m
Elevation Loss: 1075m

10 REASONS TO WALK WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by the Kumano Kodo. This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You will visit the most-sacred sites of this mountainous route and take away enlightened memories  (Koyasan temple lodgings, Okunoin Cemetery night tour with a monk, Buddhist morning ceremony, Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, and Oyunohara sacred site). We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Flexibility (2 guides)
our departures have 2 experienced guides (a local Japanese guide and an Australian guide). Having 2 guides means we can better cater for group dynamics and individual needs. Factors such as walking pace, injuries and incidents can mean changes to the itinerary become necessary, and if there was only 1 guide then these changes will impact on your expectations and your level of enjoyment ….. avoiding this is why we always have 2 guides

Safety
our wilderness trained guide from Australia carries a comprehensive group first-aid kit, satellite communication device, and safety equipment. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services. Local Japanese guides generally only carry basic first-aid and rely on their mobile phone for emergency communications, and there isn’t mobile phone coverage along sections of this trail ….. so for your safety, we always have an Australian guide accompany our local Japanese guide 

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our guides are also nature facilitators with skills to immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we safely guide you and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature whilst walking the trail (included activities such as an introduction to Shinrin-yoku ‘Forest Bathing’ ) <learn more about Forest Bathing here> ….. we’re pioneers of hiking with deep nature immersion

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so pre-tour training walks, training programs, and group chats online are provided leading up to your walking tour (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to practice on terrain that you are likely to encounter, meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the trail, travel, and the destination, and gauge your level of fitness. Many people underestimate the difficulty of walking this trail and end up under-prepared and unfulfilled ….. so we invest in your preparation

Travel in Japan
maximise your time and see more of Japan. Our in-house travel specialists can assist you with rail passes, accommodation, flights, add-ons and insurance. Package your Kumano Kodo walk with us and save stress, time and money

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable walking conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Meaningful Moments
learn about spiritual history and traditional Japan. Our local bilingual guide will bring your Kumano Kodo experience alive ….. a guide book, phone App, or international guide just can’t do this as well as a local guide

Small Groups
a maximum of 8 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Requires following bush trails carrying a day pack with some steep sections. Accommodation and transport includes stairs.  Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking