Kumano Kodo, Japan Fully Guided 6 Day Hiking Tour
Walk Japan’s Sacred Pilgrimage With Confidence, Comfort, and Care
For over 1,000 years, emperors and pilgrims have walked the Kumano Kodo. Now it’s your turn, with expert guides, traditional inns, nourishing meals, and every detail arranged so you can focus on the journey.
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Why Choose a Fully Guided Kumano Kodo Tour with
Home Comforts Hiking
Walk Without Worry, Return Without Regret
You've dreamed of walking the sacred Kumano Kodo for years. But the reality hits: scarce mountain accommodation, complex Japanese booking systems, heavy backpacks, and the fear of getting lost. Your dream pilgrimage becomes a source of stress.
What if the hardest part was simply deciding to go?
With Home Comforts Hiking, every worry disappears. Your guesthouses are pre-booked, traditional meals await, and your luggage transfers daily so you walk light and free. Your English-speaking guide leads you to hidden shrines, shares ancient stories, and adjusts the pace to suit you perfectly.
This is your pilgrimage, elevated.
You'll still earn every triumph — the satisfaction of each completed stage, the deep connection of walking ancient paths. But instead of managing logistics, you'll be fully present for what matters: the silence of cedar forests, the warmth of mountain onsens, and the profound transformation that comes from walking in sacred footsteps.
The question isn't whether you can handle it alone. It's whether you deserve to experience it at its absolute best.
With Home Comforts Hiking, your Kumano Kodo becomes what it was always meant to be: not a test of planning skills, but a transformation of your soul.
Ready to walk without worry?
What Our Travellers Say
Day 1 — Arrival in Kii-Tanabe
Arrive via train from Osaka KIX Airport (hourly departures).
Hotel check-in from 4:00 pm; arrive before 4:45 pm.
Welcome briefing at 5:30 pm.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Kii-Tanabe.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kii-Tanabe.
Meals: Dinner (D), Lunch (L)
Day 4 — Kawayu Onsen to Koguchi
Breakfast and lunchbox provided by inn. Walk 14 km to Koguchi with scenic mountain views.
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Rated Moderate.
Accommodation: Minshuku in Takada (onsen, dinner, breakfast included).
Meals: B, L, D.
Day 2 — Takijiri to Chikatsuyu
Breakfast at hotel; lunch pack provided.
Bus (40 min) to Takijiri trailhead.
Walk 14 km to Chikatsuyu.
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Total ascent 930 m.
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First 1.1 km = 300 m ascent (steep, but paced slowly).
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Additional 630 m ascent spread across 11 km
Rated Hard.
Accommodation: Traditional Japanese inn with onsen at Chikatsuyu.
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).
Day 5 — Riverboat & Shingu Shrines
Riverboat ride to Shingu (bus alternative if unavailable).
Explore Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kamikura Shrine with guide.
Visit Castle Ruins and/or Asuka-Jinja Shrine, or enjoy free time.
Total walking: 4–5 km, Easy.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Local train to Kii-Katsuura.
Accommodation: Kii Katsuura traditional
Meals: B, L, D.
Day 3 — Hosshinmon Oji to Hongu & Yunomine
Bus or taxi to Hosshinmon Oji.
English-speaking Japanese guide joins for the day (groups of 12+).
Walk 7.5 km to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
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Rated Easy to Moderate.
Explore shrines and surrounding architecture.
Lunch at Hongu.
Walk 3 km to Yunomine Onsen.
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1 km flat, 1 km ascent (300 m), 1 km descent (200 m).
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Rated Hard (bus option available).
Accommodation: Onsen inn at Kawayu Onsen.
Meals: B, L, D.
Day 6 — Nachisan & Departure
Early morning visit to Tuna Market (Mon–Fri only).
Bus to Nachisan.
Walk the famous Diamonzaka Slope.
Explore Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, Seiganto-ji Temple, and Nachi Falls (tallest in Japan).
Total walking: 4–5 km, Easy to Moderate.
Bus return to Kii-Katsuura for lunch and onward travel.
Train journey (3.5 hrs) along the Kii Peninsula to Osaka KIX Airport.
Arrive ~5:30 pm for flights from 7:30 pm onwards.
Meals: B
Note: Itinerary may change due to weather or group requests, with adjustments discussed at daily briefings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the price?
Your guided tour includes accommodation on a twin-share basis, 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, daily luggage transfers on the trail, public bus fares used during the tour, a private taxi or bus on Day 3, an English-speaking guide for the full six days, and interpretive guiding on 2 to 3 shrine days for larger groups. You also receive route maps, trip notes, and practical safety information.
What is not included?
Airfares, train fares to Kii-Tanabe and from Kii-Katsuura, 2 lunches, drinks and snacks, personal incidentals, passport and visa if required, and travel insurance.
How much does it cost?
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2026 tours: AUD 2,790 per person, twin share.
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Single supplement: AUD 450.
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Prices are in Australian dollars.
How difficult is the hike?
Overall the guided itinerary is rated moderate, with some steep and hilly sections that can feel hard for inexperienced or less fit hikers. We walk about 50 km over five hiking days, typically 7 to 15 km per day. The average group pace is about 2.5 km per hour with regular breaks to enjoy views, villages, and shrines. If you want longer distances or the full Nakahechi, consider our self-guided tours.
What are the accommodation arrangements?
We stay in small village guesthouses where availability is limited. Rooms are twin share. Solo travellers are paired with the same gender; if pairing is not possible, a single room may be arranged with the single supplement. Bedding, linen, and towels are provided. Pillows in Japanese inns can be firm, so bring your own if you prefer. Many properties have onsite onsen baths, and some villages have excellent public onsens nearby. Most minshuku have shared bathing in gender-segregated onsen areas. Morning bathing is often unavailable, but wash basins are provided.
What Meals Are Included?
Breakfast (B) is included daily, usually Japanese style, sometimes with a Western option.
Dinner (D) is included on five nights, including a welcome dinner in Kii-Tanabe on the first night.
Lunch (L) is included on three trail days and again in Shingu; on the other days you can buy lunch at local shops or cafes.
Snacks and drinks are not included.
Dietary requests: We pass requests and allergies to our hosts. Vegetarian options are available in many places. Please note that katsuo dashi (fish broth) is common in Japanese cooking and can be difficult to avoid completely.
Is the water safe to drink?
Yes. Tap water in the Kumano area is high quality. Bring bottles or a hydration bladder and refill each morning.
How does luggage transfer work?
Luggage transfer is included on all guided hikes. Each guest can check one bag up to 20 kg. Leave your bag at reception by around 8:30 am and it will be delivered to the next inn. You carry only a daypack while walking.
Good to know: Only one checked bag per person is allowed for transfer. Even with transfer, you still need to move your own bag up and down stairs and to and from stations. Pack light. Most inns have washing machines and dryers.
What should I bring?
A small daypack with rain cover, one 20 kg bag for transfer, hiking clothing, sturdy shoes, rain jacket, hiking poles, swimsuit, toiletries and personal medication, money card, passport and visa if required, travel insurance documents, phone or camera with chargers. Yukata robes, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided at the inns. If you prefer a soft pillow, bring your own.
When should I book?
Book any time up to one month before the tour start date. That said, our fully guided tours often book out quickly, so the sooner you book, the more likely you will be able to join the tour of your choice. Tour dates are usually posted to our website at least 12 months in advance.
How do I book and pay?
You can book online or contact us directly. A AUD 500 per person deposit secures your place.
The remaining payment is due one month before the tour date. This is how you can pay:
Australian customers can pay by bank transfer:
Home Comforts Hiking | BSB 923100 | Account 36237075
Overseas customers receive a PayPal invoice in AUD. You do not need a PayPal account and can pay by Visa or Mastercard. You may also pay in Australian Dollars via a transfer service such as Wise or through your bank:
Home Comforts Hiking | BSB 923100 | Account 36237075
The SWIFT Code for ING Bank Australia is INGBAU2S
Cancellations and Refunds
Please see our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
When should I book my flights?
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Book flights after your trip is confirmed. If you are flying home the final day, aim for departures after 7:30 pm from Osaka Kansai International Airport. The train from Kii-Katsuura to KIX takes about 3.5 hours and typically arrives around 5:30 pm.
Where do we meet on Day 1 and where does the hike finish?
We meet at our hotel in Kii-Tanabe. Buy your JR train ticket to Kii-Tanabe (Wakayama Prefecture) at Osaka Kansai International Airport, then travel by limited express. Please arrive at the accommodation by 5:00 pm. Trip briefing is at 5:30 pm.
The hike finishes at Kii-Katsuura around 12:30 pm on Day 6. From there you can take the afternoon train to KIX or continue your Japan journey. We can help with tickets.
Group size and guides
Some departures are led by our local English-speaking Japanese guide, Yoko Murakami, who has more than ten years of Kumano Kodo experience.
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Tours with Yoko have a maximum of 8 guests. If fewer than 8 guests are booked, a small-group surcharge may apply to cover guide costs.
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Fully guided tours with 12 guests or more have a second guide.
If you prefer no guide or guiding on only some days, see our self-guided tours.
What pace do you set and what if I am slower?
Your guide sets a slow to moderate pace with frequent breaks for water, photos, and shrine visits. If you need extra support, your guide can adjust the plan, suggest a bus segment, or arrange a shorter route so the experience stays safe and enjoyable.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes. If we cannot confirm your chosen dates and accommodation, your deposit is fully refundable. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for cancellation cover, medical situations, and valuables.
Top tips for a smoother trip
Test your shoes before you travel. Pack light. Carry snacks and water each day. Use Google Translate for quick conversations. The Japan Transit app is excellent for transport info. ATMs are widely available at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. Ponchos work well over a daypack in rain. Bamboo hiking poles can be bought or borrowed locally. There are no public rubbish bins on the trail, so carry out your rubbish and dispose of it at your inn each evening.
Need help right now?
We are here to help with planning, dates, and practical questions.
Reach out to our Guides directly.
Trip Dates
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