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Japan's Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
Destination: Kyoto, Japan
| Activities: Hiking and Culture
While Japan has long been known for its dynamic cities, only recently has the beauty and culture of the Japanese countryside begun to gain attention. On this trip we get to experience both the beauty and culture along with some of the history, all while walking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. The Kumano Kodo refers to a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai region of Japan. The Kodo (old ways) are an important part of the region's Unesco designation and have been in use for over 1000 years. The Kodo are the only pilgrimage paths besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a world heritage site and we get to experience these amazing and ancient trails.
Maximum group size: 14
Highlights
- Traveling the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail, one of 2 pilgrimage Unesco designated trails in the world!
- Experiencing both modern and rural traditional Japan
- Staying in traditional inns with their reputation for hospitality
- Learning about Japanese history and culture with our local guide
- Visiting Kyoto, one of the most dynamic modern cities in the world
Departures and Prices
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Inclusions
- An English speaking female Japanese tour leader and an AGC guide
- 9 nights double occupancy at western style hotels in the cities and traditional Japanese inns in the countryside
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary, including sightseeing tours
- 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners (see itinerary)
- All transportation during the trip including group airport transfer on Day 1 and 10 of the trip
- Baggage transfer on 2 occasions
What's not included: Travel to and from Japan, airport transfer outside referenced group transfers, beverages at meals, snacks, 1 dinner, guide gratuities, travel insurance.
Trip Documents
Trip Info
This trip is designed for women who want to combine hiking off the beaten track in the Japanese countryside, learning about Japanese history and culture and walk one of the 2 pilgrimage Unesco designated trails in the world. Note: Although our focus will be more on the history and culture, the walks are moderate to strenuous. Women should be in good physical condition and able to hike for three to six hours a day with elevation gains between 550 - 1000 feet. Rating: 1 2[3] 4 5
This is a hiking and sightseeing trip, where our emphasis is more on experiencing Japan's history and culture than on covering miles.
We will be staying in three different types of accommodation. In Kyoto, we will stay in modern Western-style hotels (3 nights). While rooms are generally smaller than in the US and Canada, all have en-suite facilities. In Tanabe, Yunomine Onsen, and Kii-Katsuura we will stay at a hot springs ryokan. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style inn, usually older wooden buildings with rooms in the Japanese style with tatami (straw) matting and futons laid out in the evening by the ryokan staff. Evening meals are served communally in the dining room, and are exquisitely prepared multi- course meals. Many ryokan have both en suite bathrooms (with the exception of some older buildings) and communal hot spring style baths (segregated by sex). In one town we stay in Minshuku, which are smaller family-run inns. At these smaller family-run inns the bathrooms will be downstairs or down the hallway from the sleeping rooms. Both Ryokan and Minkushu are classic Japanese experiences. Please note: Vegetarian options are available, but limited. Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be not be possible to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine. There will not be much if any fresh fruits and/or vegetables. Most of the vegetables will be pickled, fried or cooked in soup.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
Plan to arrive at either Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka International Airport (ITM) in time for the first group meeting planned for 6:00 p.m. at the trip hotel on Day 1. A shared taxi transfer from the airport to our Kyoto hotel will be arranged. We’ll gather in the lobby of the hotel where we’ll meet our local guide as well as each other. After Welcome and Introductions, we'll walk to a local restaurant for our first shared meal where our local guide will give us a trip overview and orientation. We'll undoubtedly all be ready for an early bedtime tonight.
Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (D)
Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (D)
DAY 2
Today we'll spend getting to know Kyoto, starting with a visit to Fushimi Inari shrine in southeastern Kyoto. Fushimi Inari is known for its rows of vermilion torii gates that snake their way up the mountain from the street level shrine to the upper sanctuary. The gates are left by devotees in gratitude or to seek the good graces of the titular spirit of this Shinto shrine. After ascending the shrine, we'll descend to nearby Tofukuji Temple, a Buddhist temple that is a UNESCO World Heritage temple and shows us another side of the spiritual traditions of Japan.
We'll break for lunch and then continue in the afternoon for a walk of the Gion district, famous for its many teahouses and schools that serve a lively community of geisha and maiko, or apprentice Geisha. If we are lucky, perhaps we will spot a colorfully attired maiko on her way to a class or evening appointment. Tonight, dinner is on your own so you can choose a restaurant of your liking with the assistance of our guide.
Walking: 5 - 7 miles on dirt paths, steep steps and city streets. Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (B, L)
We'll break for lunch and then continue in the afternoon for a walk of the Gion district, famous for its many teahouses and schools that serve a lively community of geisha and maiko, or apprentice Geisha. If we are lucky, perhaps we will spot a colorfully attired maiko on her way to a class or evening appointment. Tonight, dinner is on your own so you can choose a restaurant of your liking with the assistance of our guide.
Walking: 5 - 7 miles on dirt paths, steep steps and city streets. Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (B, L)
DAY 3
This morning we send our luggage head to be reunited with us tomorrow afternoon - this means we will carry what we need for today, tonight and tomorrow in our daypack. We will travel by train to the Kii Paninsula and the small coastal town of Tanabe. The surrounding mountains are full of orchards growing Mikan (mandarin oranges) and Ume (Japanese plums) and we’ll enjoy some peaceful time in the Orchard picking (and sampling) some fruit. After, we visit the local farmers market, which champions local the wonderful local produce. Our home for the night is a renovated school house, who’s aim is to promote and educate visitors to the region on the benefits of sustainable tourism. The project is a collaboration of local farmers who are proud of their local community and want to see it thrive. The lodge champions the slow food movement and local farmers wives come and cook for guests, providing them with delicious home cooked meals.
Overnight: Akizuno Garten, Renovated schoolhouse organic farm stay (B, L, D)
Overnight: Akizuno Garten, Renovated schoolhouse organic farm stay (B, L, D)
DAY 4
Today, we make our way to a local temple for an
early morning zazen meditation session. Here we
can enjoy the calm and contemplate on our day
ahead. Next, we make our way back to the lodge
and enjoy a cooking experience as we make our
own bento box for the day before beginning our
first hike along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail.
Our walk begins in Takijiri where we climb steadily
up an ancient mountain path. The walk today is
short but steep and we’re rewarded with
spectacular views over the valley before making
our way into the small village of Takahara.
Hiking: about 2 hours, 3 miles, ascent 1,200 feet. Overnight: Kiri-no-Sata or similar (B, L, D)
Hiking: about 2 hours, 3 miles, ascent 1,200 feet. Overnight: Kiri-no-Sata or similar (B, L, D)
DAY 5
Today we once again send our luggage ahead to be reunited with use tomorrow evening. After breakfast we make our way to Takahara and
continue along the Kumano Kodo trail as we make
our way to the small village of Chikatsuyu. As we
walk through forested paths, we’ll pass small Oji
shrines that have been placed there to protect and
guide pilgrims. Upon arrival in Chikatsuyu we will be transferred
to Yunomine Onsen for our overnight
accommodation. Our main luggage will be sent ahead to the ryokan where we stay tomorrow night, so today we'll carry only what we need for the night.
Hiking: about 4-5 hours, 6.5 miles; ascent 1,575 feet/descent 1,700 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
Hiking: about 4-5 hours, 6.5 miles; ascent 1,575 feet/descent 1,700 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
DAY 6
Today we hike two scenic sections of the Kumano Kodo trail, passing ridge-top villages and oji shrines as we make our way to Hongu Shrine. The first section of the walk takes us from Chikatsuyu to Kobiro, where we take a local bus to Hoshinmon-Oji. From here we begin our descent down to Hongu Grand Shrine. Moved from its original location just over 1km away, the shrine is on the Kumano Sanzan or three grand shrines of Kumano. The mythological three-legged raven is thee shrine's symbol and represents the three Grand Shrine of the Kumano, Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama. If it seems familiar, it's also the same symbol used by the Japanese Football team. After leaving the shrine, we take a local bus (15mins) to Yunomine Hot Springs, one of the oldest in Japan.
Hiking: about 4 hours. 8 miles; ascent 1,055 feet/descent 1,180 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
Hiking: about 4 hours. 8 miles; ascent 1,055 feet/descent 1,180 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
DAY 7
Today, we have a wonderful opportunity to return to Hongu to participate in a local craft that has been slowly going out of fashion but is now part of campaign to revive its ancient traditions. We’ll learn the craft of washi paper making by using traditional Japanese methods before taking our paper back to the priests at the neighbouring shrine and they will inscribe your paper with the shrine’s details to create a traditional souvenir of your visit. Today we have the later afternoon to relax in our hot spring ryokan (a great way to soothe the muscles are the
past couple of days hiking).
Hiking: about 3.5 hours, 4 miles; 1,345 ascent/descent: 1,065 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
Hiking: about 3.5 hours, 4 miles; 1,345 ascent/descent: 1,065 feet. Overnight: Yunominesou, Ryokan (B, L, D)
DAY 8
This morning, we will send our bags ahead of us overnight to Kyoto. They will meet us tomorrow at our accommodation, we continue on to Nachi-san, the location of Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano and Nachi-taki waterfall. From Nachi, we travel by local bus to the coastal town to Kii-Katsuura where we’ll spend our final night in the Kumano region in a Japanese style hot spring hotel.
Overnight: Japanese Style Hotel (B, L, D)
Overnight: Japanese Style Hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 9
This morning leave the coast and make our way back to Kyoto. Upon arrival we’ll have some free time to explore and maybe pick up a late minute souvenir or two before our farewell dinner. We will be reunited with our bags today.
Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (B, L, D)
Overnight: Hearton Hotel or similar Western-style hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 10
This morning we bid farewell to Japan and our Japanese guide. She'll assist us with a shared taxi transfer has been pre-arranged to take us back to Kansai International (KIX) or Osaka International Airport (ITM) for our departure flight from Japan, which you can schedule for any convenient time. (B)
4.6
(5 reviews)
5
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1
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
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Katherine P.
1 year ago
Immersion into Japanese culture in the rural areas staying as onsens (hotels with hot springs) and Agri-tourism accomodations
Kathi W.
1 year ago
To visit a country I had not been to & to receive the dual pilgrim certificate.
Zoe S.
1 year ago
This trip was a wonderful introduction to the magic that is Japan. I loved the cultural experiences like visiting multiple sacred sites and shrines, cooking class, and meditation with a monk in a 400 year old temple. I equally enjoyed hiking and visiting a lesser-known and beautiful mountain and hot springs region. The food was incredible- several 12 course meals and delicious fresh fish. I was intimidated by the language and culture difference but our guides made everything easy for this first-timer. Do this trip! It’s really something special.
Tricia J.
1 year ago
Everything. It was great all around. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Michele S.
1 year ago
The location!
- Where do we eat?
Your breakfasts will be buffets at the hotels where you're staying. Dinner is in restaurants with typically a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian entree. Lunches may either be picnics or in restaurants. - What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be impossible to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine. If that is not a concern for you, non-meat dishes are readily available. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
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