CUSTOM TOURS
Private journeys shaped by your interests and our local knowledge
Kumano Adventures designs private journeys for travelers who want to walk historic trails, eat well, and connect meaningfully with the people who call this region home.
We focus on experiences shared through local relationships, creating a balance that’s respectful for the community and deeply rewarding for our guests and hosts. This approach allows us to offer access to places, people, and moments that aren’t publicly marketed or widely available, while ensuring that participation is always by choice and on the community’s terms.
Because of this, we work with a limited number of travelers each year and design every journey at a thoughtful pace.
What Private Travel Makes Possible
Traveling privately in Kumano allows for a rhythm and access that simply aren’t possible otherwise.
A day might begin on a quiet section of the Kumano Kodo, walking at a steady, unhurried pace. Later, you may swim in a mountain waterfall pool known only to locals, learn to make incense using traditional methods, or harvest ingredients with a farmer before sharing a meal together.
Some days lean outward, into the landscape. Others turn inward, toward craft, conversation, and rest. There is time to walk, time to eat well, and time to pause.
These experiences aren’t staged for tourism. They’re shared through long-standing local relationships, by invitation. Traveling privately allows us to design journeys that respect the rhythms of daily life in Kumano, while creating experiences that feel personal and deeply rewarding.
Each journey is shaped around your interests, comfort level, and sense of pace, with a balance of activity and restoration that feels considered and human.
What Makes Us Different
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Bespoke Itinerary Design
Your journey starts with a conversation. We’ll discuss your ideal pace, interests, and activity level to craft a day-by-day itinerary that reflects you—whether it's challenging hikes, serene temple visits, or deep dives into local cuisine.
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Hand-Selected Accommodations
From traditional ryokans with private onsen to charming family-run inns, we book rooms and properties specifically chosen to match your preferences and budget.
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Exclusive Local Experiences
Gain access to private guides, cultural workshops with local artisans, and reservations at restaurants that aren't in the guidebooks. We connect you with the heart of Kumano in a way that’s impossible to find on your own.
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Seamless Logistics, Handled
We take care of reservations for accommodations, private transport, luggage transfers between inns, and any special activities you choose.
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Personal Kumano Concierge
Throughout your journey, you’ll have dedicated trip support via WhatsApp calls and messages. Whether you need to adjust a reservation, ask for a recommendation, or need assistance, we're here to ensure your trip is effortless.
You could participate in a local festival...
Just like the locals, start with the purification rituals, don the traditional costume, and then hike with your group into the mountains to receive the coming year's hearth fire. It only happens once a year, and it's truly something that only a few can say they've done!
...walk through Kumano's geological history...
Access dramatic coastal formations and mountain terrain through short walks and hikes, ranging from 10 minutes to a few hours. Some locations are unmarked and accessible only with a safety-certified guide, offering a way to experience parts of the region that remain little visited.
...or take a deep dive into culture you want to know more about.
Spend time with local artisans, performers, and craftspeople through experiences shared by invitation. These moments are rooted in genuine exchange and mutual curiosity, offering insight into daily life, tradition, and craft.
Options may include one-on-one calligraphy, tea ceremony, tatami making, or rice planting, among others.
Is a custom tour right for you?
A custom journey with Kumano Adventures may be a good fit if:
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You’re interested in easy to intermediate hiking
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You value good food, thoughtful pacing, and meaningful connection
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You’re curious about daily life, craft, and tradition beyond tourist settings
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You’re planning between 9 to 12 months in advance and open to collaboration
We may not be the right fit if you’re looking for last-minute bookings, highly technical hiking, or standalone hotel reservations.
How the Process Works
We keep the planning process collaborative, flexible, and transparent.
1. Start with an inquiry
Begin by completing the inquiry form below. This helps us understand your dates, group size, interests, hiking comfort level, and budget expectations.
2. Complimentary consultation
If it looks like we may be a good fit, we’ll schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation call to talk through your ideas and answer questions.
3. Design phase
If you’d like to move forward, we request a $300 non-refundable deposit, which is applied toward the cost of your trip. We then work with you to shape and refine your itinerary until you feel confident and excited about the plan.
Because Kumano has limited availability, especially in spring and fall, we strongly recommend beginning this process 9–12 months in advance.
4. Booking & confirmation
Once you’re satisfied with the itinerary, we begin securing accommodations, guides, transportation, and experiences. This stage can take time, as availability is confirmed piece by piece.
5. Pre-departure & on-the-ground support
One to two weeks before your flight to Japan, we’ll meet for a pre-departure video call to review logistics, answer final questions, and ensure everything feels clear and calm.
During your journey, we coordinate via WhatsApp with you and our local partners to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Many guests feel a lasting connection to Kumano and choose to stay engaged with the region over time. For those who wish, we share updates through our newsletter, offering a way to remain informed about the area and the people they encountered along the way.
Pricing
Custom journeys with Kumano Adventures are priced per person, per day, based on the final itinerary.
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Minimum investment: USD $600 per person, per day
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A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to move forward beyond the initial consultation
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Final pricing reflects accommodations, transportation needs, guiding, experiences, group size, and travel dates
We don’t itemize pricing. Your itinerary is offered as a complete, thoughtfully designed package. If you have a preferred budget range, sharing it early helps us design responsibly within it.
Most travel companies use a cost-plus model, applying a markup to each hotel, transfer, or activity. While common, this can incentivize upselling. At Kumano Adventures, our priority is designing the trip that’s right for you, not adding services that don’t meaningfully enhance the experience.
Instead, we determine a holistic day rate, calculated per person per day, based on the overall complexity of your journey and the underlying costs involved. Factors such as accommodation style, seasonality, logistics, and level of support all play a role. This approach allows us to remain transparent, aligned with our clients, and focused on creating thoughtful, well-paced journeys rather than maximizing line items.
What Your Final Itinerary Includes
Your final digital itinerary is designed to be clear, practical, and easy to reference on the go.
✔️ Inclusions
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All accommodations
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Private guiding experiences
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Exclusive Kumano Adventures cultural experiences (focused on genuine cross-cultural connections with local people)
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Meals included in accommodations or as part of cultural experiences
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Luggage transportation (if noted, booked ad hoc)
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Restaurant reservations for key meals (if noted, booked ad hoc)
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Taxi reservations (if noted, booked ad hoc)
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Expertly curated itinerary design featuring personal local recommendations at a perfect pace
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Transportation advice (i.e., train recommendations based on your itinerary, how to pay for transportation)
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Bilingual support during your trip via WhatsApp
❌ Exclusions
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International and domestic flights
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Travel insurance (strongly recommended; we are a very small company and therefore have a strict cancellation policy)
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Local transportation and taxi costs (must be paid onsite)
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Food (unless included as part of your accommodation or a cultural activity)
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Hot spring entrance fees (paid onsite, usually around $10-$20 USD)
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Mobile connectivity (SIM cards, eSIMs, and pocket Wi‑Fi); guests are responsible for their own service
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Souvenirs, personal expenses
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Gratuities (not customary in Japan, but appreciated by tour guides)
LET'S START A CONVERSATION
Let us know exactly what you're looking for your custom journey