OUR BLOG AND GUIDEBOOK

Beyond walking, the region supports a range of cultural and outdoor activities: onsen bathing (including Kii-Katsuura and the river bathing at Kawayu), temple stays, sword or knife-making demonstrations, river canoeing, and rituals at the three Grand Shrines. Kumano Adventures itineraries add experiences that aren't on public schedules: time in a small temple where the resident priest receives you as a guest, a swordmaker's mountain workshop, a tea ceremony master's home, or

On the Kumano Kodo, most meals are eaten at your accommodation rather than at restaurants. Dinner and breakfast are typically included in the room rate at minshuku and ryokan along the trail, served at a fixed time or according to your check-in time, and prepa red from whatever the household or region has that season. Standalone restaurants are rare near the trail. Lodgings will generally prepare a packed lunch if requested with your reservation, for around 1000 yen or less.