TESTIMONIALS

Kira and Micahl

The incredible agents at Kumano Adventures made our trip the experience of a lifetime! Not only did they plan an incredible itinerary for the Kumano area, down near Shirahama, but they also took care of booking our hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto. We stayed in some of the nicest places we've ever experienced!

On top of that, they set up once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from sushi making with a lifelong, world-traveled chef to two incredible museum tours and a geotour along the coast. They even made sure we had easy access to the beach and made plenty of time in the itinerary for us to enjoy the water!

Everything was tailored to our tastes and needs, and as someone with a myriad food allergies, I felt safe trying new foods knowing the the agents at Kumano Adventures reached out to vet the meals and speak with chefs ahead of time.

What an amazing trip! We cannot recommend working with Kumano Adventures enough—especially if you want a bespoke, tailored trip with agents who genuinely care about your experience!

Babette H.

What a vacation! My family and I have never been to Japan and didn’t know where to start. Giuliana listened to our interests and curated the perfect trip. The highlight was Koyasan, where we were able to meditate before walking the Kumano Kodo. Kumano Adventures was always easy to reach when we had questions. We will be using this service again when we return to Japan!

Olga K.

I can’t thank Giuliana and Kumano Adventures enough for organizing an unforgettable journey for my partner and me along the Kumano Kodo trail. From the charming Koyasan and mountain guesthouse to the enriching guides who shared the history of the trail, every detail was meticulously planned. The hot springs after days of hiking added a perfect touch of relaxation.

Little did I know, the adventure would culminate in a beautifully orchestrated surprise engagement proposal, expertly arranged by Giuliana. It was truly a magical experience, and I highly recommend Kumano Adventures for anyone seeking a thoughtfully crafted and personalized travel adventure.

Oliver C.

I had the absolute pleasure of using Kumano Adventures and Giuliana’s expert guidance with two friends in the southeast region of Japan, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. From fantastic restaurant recommendations to public transportation advice and tips, I never felt lost, uninformed, or uncomfortable.

Our trip officially started in Koyasan, a beautiful and sleepy mountain town south of Osaka, which also happens to be the birthplace of a major sect of Japanese Buddhism. While there, Kumano Adventures arranged for an excellent tour guide who taught us about nearly every detail of the town’s history; it was a perfect way to spend the day. Following the two-night stay in Koyasan at a Buddhist temple with onsen (Japanese natural hot springs), and some of the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had, we embarked on our two-day, 22+ mile hike on the Kumano Kodo trail. The Kumano Kodo is considered a pilgrimage, and shares a “passport” system with the Camino de Santiago in Spain. 

The hike was absolutely gorgeous and moderately difficult, which was perfect. Kumano Adventures planned this part of the trip beautifully: a taste of fantastic whiskey at the end of the hike from custom ceramic glasses made by a local artisan, an overnight stay at a wonderful guest house (also with onsen) on the Hiki River in Chikatsuyu Village, and finally an astonishing end to the hike with the world’s largest torii gate in Hongu—a sight truly to behold. This hike—and nearly every other activity over the next three days in Shingu—were truly eye-opening and life-changing in the most positive possible sense. And Giuliana made it all happen through her attention to detail, thoughtfulness, foresight, genuine compassion, and interest in me and my travel partners.   

I cannot recommend Kumano Adventures enough, and I fully plan to use them again myself. Giuliana is a kind, caring, and very organized person who will curate and tailor an unforgettable experience that you just won’t be able to shut up about (I definitely haven’t). Thank you, Kumano Adventures!

Gayle Y.

Kumano Adventures was recommended to me by a friend. She was very impressed with the quality and attention to detail of the planning of her trip. This was my first trip to Japan. Kumano Adventures was able to customize my trip down to Japan to the smallest detail. They arranged transportation, the meeting of the local Shingū people whom I knew from Zumba Shingū (an online international dance exchange), transportation to three different onsens and to Nachi Falls and Temple, and a Kumano River tour. I highly recommend this company for your next trip to Japan.

Lucia O.

Kumano Adventures gave our family the trip of a lifetime! Our family trip covered several cities in Japan, but the time we spent in Wakayama, Koyasan and Shingu was by far the most special and meaningful to us. It is a beautiful area with amazing forests, a spectacular coastline and charming towns. The guides for every activity were knowledgeable and friendly. The activities we selected (a cooking lesson, tea ceremony class, bike riding tour, stonework craftsman demonstration, and Kumano Kodo temples) gave us many opportunities to engage with local people and learn more about Japan and Japanese culture. Seeing the sights, taking photos and reading the tourist information was good, but being able to share stories, enjoy good food and great fun with our wonderful guides brought so much more to our Japan experience and it is what we cherish the most. Our only wish was that we had started our adventure in Wakayama sooner into our trip. It would have helped us understand more about things we saw elsewhere. Without a doubt, we would use Kumano Adventures again and again for any future visit to Japan.

Gayle M.

My trip was everything I wanted and more, thanks to Kumano Adventures! They know so much about the amazing Wakayama area—and are rightfully enthusiastic about it, and they are professional, personable, and knowledgeable, helping me to navigate the transportation and culture, and finding gem experiences in the area for me to try (like an onsen off the beaten path, and a really unique guest house in Shingu City). I highly recommend Kumano Adventures for your next trip to the Wakayama area and Japan! I will be back!​