Life Where the Trail Meets the Sea For travelers drawn to quieter landscapes and coastal scenery, the Ohechi Route  on the Kumano Kodo offers a compelling alternative to the more widely traveled inland paths. If you have ever wanted to go fishing in Japan, this is a perfect option for your Kumano adventure. The Coastal Route of Merchants Running along the Pacific coastline, the Ohechi was historically used by merchants, connecting small fishing towns that once served as hubs of coastal trade....

Hongu Onsen Guide: What to Know (Hongu Town vs. The 3 Villages) Deciphering place names in Japan can be confusing. To help you plan the best visit, first, it's important to clarify the "Hongu Onsen" area. Hongu itself is the central town, is of course the location of the Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, and has many excellent lodgings (ryokan and minshuku) that feature their own private hot spring baths. However, the region's most famous and unique public onsen...

Kumano Hayatama Grand Shine When I first began designing trips in the Kumano region of Japan, I noticed something missing from most...