Spend the day exploring Osaka at your own pace—visit the historic grounds of Osaka Castle, sample your way through Kuromon Market, or relax in the café-studded backstreets of Nakazakicho. In the evening, enjoy a final urban dinner before your pilgrimage begins tomorrow.

← →

Travel south by train to the small coastal town of Kii-Tanabe, gateway to the Kumano Kodo. The journey hugs the coast in its final stretch, offering sweeping ocean views. From there, a short bus ride takes you to the peaceful farming village of Kamiakizu, where tonight’s lodging is a beautifully restored former schoolhouse, built of cedar and cypress. Enjoy a hands-on cultural activity and a dinner made from local ingredients, rooted in the rhythms of rural life.

← →

Set out on one of the trail’s most iconic sections, passing cedar groves, ancient shrines, and quiet mountain passes. Today’s destination is Hongu, home to one of the Kumano Grand Shrines and a sacred heart of the pilgrimage route. From here, a short ride brings you to the riverside village of Kawayu Onsen, where you can soak in thermal water rising naturally through the gravel riverbed. Relax and reflect over a seasonal multi-course dinner.

← →

Enjoy a slower start with free time to explore the village or bathe again before choosing your next hiking route. For those craving more trail time, ascend the peaceful Kogumotorigoe path to Koguchi, a remote forested hamlet surrounded by mountains. For a gentler day, choose from a selection of scenic walks around Hongu before returning to a nearby inn or minshuku for another restful night.

← →

Today’s final trail section is one of the most rewarding. Climb to the Ogumotorigoe Pass, where glimpses of the Pacific Ocean shimmer between the trees. Your descent leads you to Nachi Grand Shrine and the iconic Nachi Falls—Japan’s tallest, cascading beside a vermilion pagoda. Stay nearby in the sacred village of Nachi or transfer to the coastal town of Kii-Katsuura, where you’ll dine on fresh seafood and sleep to the sound of the sea.

← →

Rise early to explore Kii-Katsuura’s lively morning fish market or wander through its covered arcades and backstreets. If time allows, visit Hayatama Taisha, the third of the Kumano Grand Shrines, before boarding a train for your return journey around the Kii Peninsula. Arrive in Kyoto by late afternoon and settle into a hotel that blends traditional comfort with modern style.

← →

Let Kyoto greet you with calm. Walk the Philosopher’s Path or visit the temple gardens of Nanzen-ji. In the afternoon, explore the crafts and quiet cafés of Gion, where lanterns flicker and geiko sometimes pass by at dusk. End the day with a soak and a peaceful meal to match the slower rhythm you've now embraced.

← →

Spend the day exploring Kyoto’s highlights at your own pace—visit Fushimi Inari’s red torii path, the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, or take a side trip to Arashiyama for a walk through its towering bamboo grove. Enjoy tea, temples, and tranquility as you soak up Kyoto’s timeless grace.

← →

On your final full day, choose depth over speed. Visit a favourite shrine, take part in a tea ceremony, or simply sit by the Kamogawa River and reflect on your journey. Tonight, celebrate the end of your pilgrimage with a farewell dinner—kaiseki-style, slow and seasonal.

← →

Depart Kyoto with a mind quieter, a body restored, and the trail’s rhythm still echoing in your steps

← →

11 Nights / 12 Days

Osaka (2) → Kumano Kodo (6) → Kyoto (3)

Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims through Japan’s sacred mountains, soaking in village onsen by night and hiking misty cedar trails by day. This soul-stirring journey blends tradition, tranquillity, and the quiet power of Japan’s spiritual heartland