Kumano Kodo
Pilgrim trails through forest to mountain shrines.
Why Japanese travelers love itWalking to Hongu is a spiritual reset, finished with a soak at Yunomine.
The Kumano Kodo are old pilgrimage routes through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, one of only two pilgrimage routes on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The Nakahechi route leads to Kumano Hongu Taisha. Nearby, Japan's tallest torii stands at Oyunohara, and Yunomine Onsen has a tiny bath used for centuries. Walk a short section in a day, or several days from inn to inn.
Best time: Spring and autumn for walking. Summer is hot and humid; winter is quiet and mild at lower levels.
Weather
Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Kurisugawa AMeDAS (JMA), on the Nakahechi route).
Top 5
- Kumano Hongu TaishaThe main shrine of the three Kumano shrines.
- OyunoharaThe original shrine site with a 33-meter torii.
- Hosshinmon-oji to HonguA final 7 km walk, about two hours.
- TsuboyuA tiny World Heritage bath at Yunomine; wait your turn.
- Chikatsuyu to HonguA full day of about 24.5 km; carry lunch.
A simple day
- Bus from Kii-Tanabe to Hosshinmon-oji.
- Walk the trail to Hongu, about two hours.
- Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha.
- See the great torii at Oyunohara.
- Bus to Yunomine for an onsen night.
Where to stay
- Yunomine OnsenSmall inns around the hot spring.
- Hongu areaGuesthouses near the shrine.
- Kii-TanabeCity base with trains and buses.
Getting there
Shin-Osaka → Kii-Tanabe: about 2h20 by Limited Express Kuroshio, then a 1–2 hour bus to the Hongu area.
psst — skip this mistake: Starting a long section late in the day. There are few shops on the trail and buses are infrequent.