Coastal Soul of Kumano
Journey beyond the well-trodden pilgrimage routes to Susami, a quiet coastal town where mountains meet the sea and daily life flows at a gentler rhythm. This immersive journey begins not with temples or trails, but with connection—to people, place, and tradition. From a welcome beach barbecue hosted by locals to hands-on experiences in farming, fishing, and craftmaking, you’ll be welcomed into a community that embodies the spirit of rural Japan.
Walk the lesser-known Ohechi section of the Kumano Kodo, explore the Phoenix Fold’s dramatic coastal geology with a certified Geopark guide, and share in the timeless rituals of temple meditation, mochi-making, and incense crafting. Along the way, taste the bounty of land and sea—freshly caught fish grilled over open flames, lettuce handpicked beside mountain streams, rice steamed in old-fashioned wooden tubs.
As the journey continues eastward, you’ll follow the ancient pilgrim’s path from Susami to the sacred grand shrines in Shingu and Nachi, culminating with a guided ascent of the Daimonzaka path to Kumano Nachi Taisha, framed by Japan’s tallest waterfall. Each day builds from intimate encounters to spiritual grandeur—a slow unfolding of the Kumano region’s natural beauty, cultural depth, and heartfelt hospitality.
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TRIP DATES
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May 10 to May 17, 2026
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June 14 to June 21, 2026
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November 1 to November 8, 2026
Day 1
Susami
Arrive at Susami Station, in the heart of the quaint seaside town of Susami. Your guide will meet you and help you settle into your local ryokan (Japanese inn). After some time to relax, you’ll convene with your fellow travelers for a special welcome barbecue on the beach, where you’ll be greeted by locals with a spread of fresh, regional seafood.
Exclusive Experience: Welcome beach barbecue with local hosts
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Local ryokan (Japanese inn) in Susami, complete with a rotenburo (outdoor bath filled with natural hot spring water) next to a Japanese garden
Day 2
Susami
May/June Departures:
After breakfast at your ryokan, you'll walk to a local temple for a session of gentle stretching, quiet meditation, matcha tea, and shakyo (sutra copying).
In the afternoon, you’ll meet a local lettuce farmer and handpick crisp greens straight from the fields. Surrounded by forested mountains and a gentle riverside breeze, you’ll savor an unforgettable farm-to-table dining experience showcasing the freshest local produce. Depending on the weather, your meal will be served outdoors in the open air or inside a beautifully preserved traditional Japanese home.
Susami—famed as the birthplace of lettuce cultivation in Japan—offers a glimpse into the deep agricultural heritage and slow rhythms of rural life, making this experience both delicious and deeply rooted in place.
November Departures:
After breakfast, a short ride on a local train takes you to the coastal workshop of a seaweed specialist.
You’ll learn about tokoroten, a traditional seaweed jelly, and begin the fascinating extraction process. After lunch back in Susami, you'll visit a local temple for a session of gentle stretching, quiet meditation, matcha tea, and shakyo (sutra copying). Later, you’ll regroup with the craftsman to turn the morning's creation into delicious desserts.
Exclusive Experience: Artisanal Seaweed Jelly (tokoroten) Workshop
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Local ryokan in Susami
Day 3
Kumano Kodo Ohechi Route / Susami
Today you’ll walk a lesser-known section of the ancient pilgrimage network, the Kumano Kodo Ohechi route. With your local guide, you'll traverse the beautiful Nagaizaka Pass, soaking in rich forest air and learning about the history of this section of the Kumano Kodo.
We’ll stop for lunch in a small mountain village beside the train tracks, where a local host cooks a traditional meal next to a quiet forest shrine. Fresh river fish and rice—steamed the old-fashioned way in a wooden hangiri over an open fire—are served by a stream and waterfall surrounded by trees. It’s a peaceful setting with great photo opportunities as the trains pass through the landscape.
As evening falls, unwind at your cozy ryokan, letting the day’s adventures melt away as you soak in the rejuvenating warmth of a natural hot spring bath.
Hike: Nagaizaka Pass — ~8 km (5 mi), ~2.5 hrs, gentle forest trail with a 700m climb and 1.3km descent
Exclusive Experience: Guided Nagaizaka Pass Hike & Outdoor Cooking
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Local ryokan in Susami
Day 4
Phoenix Fold National Geopark / Susami
Travel by private bus to the trailhead for the Phoenix Fold, one of Japan’s most spectacular coastal geological formations. This area, part of the Nanki Kumano Geopark, is a nationally designated protected site recognized for its rare and beautiful rock formations—and can only be entered with a certified Geopark guide.
Your expert guide will lead a short but adventurous hike through this remarkable landscape before the day concludes with a guided night walk through Susami, where you’ll discover the quiet magic of the countryside after dark—the sounds, wildlife, and atmosphere of rural Japan at night.
Hike: Phoenix Fold — ~2 km (1.2 mi) round trip, ~1.5 hrs, includes forest trail, steep switchbacks, and scrambling over a rocky coast
Exclusive Experience: Guided Phoenix Fold Geopark Exploration
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Local ryokan in Susami
Day 5
Susami
Begin the day by joining local lobster fishermen at dawn, helping them remove the day’s catch from their nets. You’ll be rewarded with a seaside barbecue breakfast featuring fresh fish—an especially sustainable experience, as these delicious bycatch fish are typically released back into the ocean before they can reach market freshness. By enjoying them here, you’ll help reduce waste while savoring rare coastal delicacies, all while the fishermen warmly share their gratitude for your help.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Japanese tradition by making mochi (rice cakes) from scratch—steaming the special rice and pounding it with traditional tools—and learning the local craft of incense making, offering your creation in a peaceful natural setting.
You’ll end your time in Susami with a joyful mochimaki, a celebratory tradition where you’ll toss your freshly made mochi into the air for locals to catch, sharing laughter, connection, and a heartfelt farewell to this welcoming seaside community.
Exclusive Experience: Community Mochi Making & Mochimaki Celebration
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Local ryokan in Susami
Day 6
Shingu
Bid farewell to Susami and take a scenic 2-hour morning train journey along the rugged coast to Shingu. Here, you’ll meet a prefecture-registered master artist for a private calligraphy lesson and performance. Afterward, your guide will lead you up the iconic 538 stone steps to the cliffside Kamikura Shrine for stunning views. You will have a chance to visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha (one of the three Grand Shrines) before taking a final train to Nachi-Katsuura and checking into your ocean-view hotel room.
Exclusive Experience: Private Calligraphy Workshop with a Master Artist
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Ocean-view hotel with private outdoor hot spring in Nachi-Katsuura
Day 7
Nachi
Your journey culminates at the spiritual heart of the Kumano region. A short bus ride brings you to the start of the Daimonzaka, a beautiful flagstone path lined with 800-year-old cedar trees. You'll walk this ancient approach with your guide to Kumano Nachi Taisha, the adjacent Seiganto-ji Temple, and the awe-inspiring Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall. After a full day of exploration, your guide will return with you to the hotel. You'll enjoy one final farewell dinner together before departing the next day.
Hike: Daimonzaka Trail — ~3.7 km (2.3 mi), ~3.5+ hrs, mostly stone paving and paved roads with gentle uphills and stairs
Exclusive Experience: Guided Pilgrimage to Nachi Falls & Grand Shrine
Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation: Ocean-view hotel with private outdoor hot spring in Nachi-Katsuura
Day 8
Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast together at your hotel before choosing your onward path:
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Option A: Conclude your tour in Nachi-Katsuura and depart by train.
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Option B: Extend your journey with two nights at a temple-stay in Koyasan
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Option C: Add a private guided hike or cultural experience before same-day departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
