Trip Overview
Group Size
6–8 guests
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Optional Koyasan Extension: +3 days / 2 nights
Confirmed
When 6 Travelers Book
Activity
Easy–Moderate hiking ≤ 6 mi / 10 km
Price (USD)
From $2,799 USD per person
(shared double room)
From $3,639 USD per person
(private single room)
Trip Dates
May 24 to May 28, 2026 (end on May 30 with Koyasan extension)
October 4 to October 8, 2026 (end on October 10 with Koyasan extension)
Please include the name of the tour you are interested in and the dates you would like in order of preference
Discover the sacred heart of the Kumano region—where hot-spring rivers meet cedar-lined pilgrimage trails and waterfall shrines. You’ll walk a highlight section of the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo, soak in the Kawayu river onsen (hot spring), and explore all three grand shrines with expert local guidance.
Between hikes, dive into hands-on culture: craft traditional grass sandals (seasonal), sample local specialties, and unwind in a seaside onsen resort. Evenings bring chef-driven dinners and cozy guesthouses.
Most importantly, this journey brings you to all three of the Grand Shrines of Kumano (Hayatama Taisha, Hongu Taisha, and Nachi Taisha)—the ultimate purpose of pilgrimage to this sacred region for over 1,000 years.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Nachi-Katsuura
Arrive on the coast and settle into your onsen resort. If time allows, rent a bike to explore the town (not included), stroll by the sea, or enjoy your first soak before meeting your fellow travelers and trip leader for dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Nachi-Katsuura Onsen Resort (or similar)
Day 2
Nachi-Katsuura / Daimonzaka / Nachi Taisha
Meet up with a local guide and visit Kumano Nachi Taisha (one of the three Grand Shrines). Start by hiking Daimonzaka—a historic, cobblestoned pilgrim slope shaded by giant cedars—up to the Nachi shrine area. Walk up to Seiganto-ji (a Buddhist temple beside the shrine with the iconic vermilion pagoda) and the Nachi Waterfall lookout. Enjoy lunch with a view and return to Katsuura for a relaxed evening in your resort hot springs. Rejoin your fellow travelers for a wonderful dinner together.
Hike: Daimonzaka to shrine precincts & viewpoints — ~2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi), 45–90 min, steady uphill on ~300 stone steps; walking around the shrine/temple and waterfall paths is an additional ~400 stairs
Exclusive Experiences: Guided Daimonzaka, Nachi Shrine, & Waterfall pilgrimage walk
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Nachi-Katsuura Onsen Resort
Day 3
Nachi-Katsuura → Shingu
Transfer to Shingu for hands-on cultural experiences—today is devoted to culture and craft. Choose between two half-day cultural activities such as grass-shoe (waraji) making, Japanese calligraphy, tea ceremony and kimono/yukata lessons, or culinary workshops with local artisans. In the evening, visit Hayatama Taisha (your second of the three Grand Shrines). Afterward, there is an optional sunset hike to Kamikura shrine—an iconic viewpoint over Shingu and the sea. Enjoy dinner together at a wonderful local restaurant.
Hike: Kamikura shrine: ~0.5 km (0.3 mi) each way, 15–25 min up, ~120 m / 400 ft gain; very steep stone stairs
Exclusive Experiences: Hands-On Cultural Workshops
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Shingu guesthouses (shared guesthouse or Buddhist temple stay; upgrade to Kamikura Hideaway +$300, subject to availability)
Day 4
Hosshimon Shrine / Hongu / Shingu
Starting at Hosshimon shrine, walk alongside a local guide on a shady, scenic section of the Kumano Kodo. Stop by the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center for Dual Pilgrim recognition (for eligible guests who have also completed the Camino de Santiago). Then, ascend the many stairs to Kumano Hongu Taisha—your third and final Grand Shrine. Continue with your guide to the largest torii ( ⛩️) gate in the world. In the afternoon, take a bus to Kawayu River for natural river hot springing in the forest. Evening time, travel back to Shingu for a final dinner together.
Hike: Hosshimon-oji → Hongu — ~7–10 km (4–6 mi), ~3–4 hrs, mostly rolling forest path with gentle ascents/descents
Exclusive Experiences: Guided Kumano Kodo hike
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Shingu guesthouses
Day 5
Nachi-Katsuura / Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast together in a local cafe before choosing your onward path:
Option A: Conclude your tour in Nachi-Katsuura and depart by train.
Option B: Extend your journey with two nights at a temple-stay in Koyasan (see below)
Option C: Add a private guided hike or cultural experience before same-day departure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Koyasan Extension
Price: Additional $1199 USD per person (shared double room) Additional $1859 USD per person (private single room)
Day 5
Shingu / Koyasan
Travel by train to Gokurakubashi and ride the mountain cable car up to Koyasan, the birthplace and modern-day headquarters of Shingon Buddhism (note that this is unguided, but we will provide you with all the information you need to travel to Koyasan). Check into your temple lodging (shukubo) and drop your bags. You'll have free time in the afternoon to recuperate from the journey or stroll around the mountaintop. After a seasonal shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) dinner, enjoy a night walk through Okunoin, Japan’s largest and most atmospheric cemetery, illuminated by stone lanterns before getting an early night's rest.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Shukubo (temple lodging with private ensuite).
Day 6
Koyasan
Wake early to join morning meditation, prayers, or, when available, a fire ritual with resident monks—quiet, contemplative, and profoundly memorable. After a temple breakfast, enjoy a guided visit through Okunoin cemetery during the day, and learn about the samurai and other key historical figures honored there. Witness the procession of the monks feeding of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, who is believed to be in eternal meditation.
After lunch, explore the Danjo Garan temple complex (ceremonial heart of Koyasan) and the famed rock garden of Kongobu-ji (head temple of Shingon Buddhism).
Afternoon free time options include a shakyo (sutra-copying), a meditation session, browsing Reihokan Museum (treasures of esoteric Buddhist art), or exploring on your own. Temple dinner in the evening.
Exclusive Experiences: Guided tour of Koyasan
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Shukubo (temple lodging)
Day 7
Koyasan / Departure
Enjoy a final serene morning before descending by cable car to Gokurakubashi. Connect by train toward Osaka, Kansai International Airport (KIX), or wherever else your travels may take you.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transparency
At Kumano Adventures, we want to ensure this experience aligns with what you're looking for. Each of our trips is thoughtfully designed, and this one has its own distinct pace, focus, and level of activity.
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Accommodations: In many traditional Japanese inns, you'll sleep on a futon (cushoned mat) laid out on a tatami (woven straw) floor. While it may be different from what you're used to, many guests find it to be a cozy and restful experience. If you have concerns about comfort or mobility, please let us know—we’re happy to discuss options to help you rest well.
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Meals: A typical Japanese meal includes a variety of small dishes featuring seasonal vegetables, seafood, and meat—often with a special emphasis on seafood and beef. Unlike in many Western restaurants, substitutions are not commonly offered, and menus are often fixed with limited options for customization. It’s important to know that traditional Japanese cuisine may not easily accommodate celiac or strictly vegetarian diets.
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Hot springs: In Japan, hot spring bathing is traditionally done without bathing suits and is typically enjoyed nude in gender-separated baths. For those who prefer more privacy, many facilities offer the option to reserve private hot spring rooms, where you can relax in comfort on your own or with a travel companion. Your trip manager can help you reserve space.
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Itinerary Changes: While we do our best to stick to the planned itinerary, sometimes unexpected changes come up—due to weather, local circumstances, or the availability of our partners on the ground. When that happens, we’ll let you know as soon as we can. Our priority is always to provide you with the best experience possible, even if that means adjusting plans along the way.
