Day 1. Arrival in Osaka
Arrive in Osaka and begin your journey with a deep breath in the city’s vibrant heart. Explore the energetic streets of Namba or the glowing canals of Dotonbori, where lanterns reflect in the water and the scent of grilled skewers fills the air. Ease into Japan’s rhythm with an evening soak at your hotel or a traditional sentō nearby.
Day 2. Osaka
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 or relax at a nearby sento before your pilgrimage begins tomorrow.
Day 3. Osaka → Kii Tanabe
Today you will ground yourself in the slow rhythm of the pilgrimage before your first steps on the trail 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 beofre you continue inland to a hot spring village with over a thousand years of history. Famous for its silky “beauty bath” waters, Ryujin was once a place of healing for emperors and pilgrims. Stay at a traditional ryokan, where steaming baths flow straight from the source and a seasonal kaiseki dinner awaits.
Day 4. Kumano Kodo, Chikatsuyu
After breakfast, transfer from Ryujin Onsen to Takijiri, the official start of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Begin your ascent through mossy forests to the ridge-top village of Takahara, where distant views open over the valleys. After a rest, stroll down to the bus stop and continue on to Chikatsuyu, your home for the night. Settle into a family-run guesthouse and explore the nearby gallery and quiet shops before a home-cooked dinner.
Day 5. Kawayu Onsen
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.
Day 6. Hongu → Koguchi
Ease into the morning with free time to soak again in Kawayu’s riverside hot springs or explore the sacred village of Hongu at your own pace. After lunch, transfer to Koguchi, a tiny hamlet nestled deep in the mountains and surrounded by cedar forest. The journey can be made by taxi or as a short half-day hike along the peaceful Kogumotorigoe trail. Tonight’s lodging is simple and rustic, offering hearty home-cooked food and a tranquil base for tomorrow’s final hike.
Day 7. Koguchi → Nachi Taisha → Kii-Katsuura
Today’s trail is a highlight of the entire Kumano Kodo. Hike the Ogumotorigoe Pass, a challenging but deeply rewarding route that weaves through dense forest and over ancient cobbled paths. As you descend, glimpses of the Pacific Ocean begin to appear—culminating in your arrival at the awe-inspiring Nachi Grand Shrine and the dramatic Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall. After time to explore the sacred site, continue on to the coastal town of Kii-Katsuura, where you’ll unwind with fresh seafood and the sound of the waves.
Day 8. Kii-Katsura → Kyoto
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.
Day 9. Kyoto
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.
Day 10. Kyoto
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.
Day 11. Kyoto
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.
Accommodations
Adumaya Ryokan
Ryujin Onsen
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Historic pilgrimage guesthouse with legendary spring water
Fujiya Ryokan
Kawayu Onsen
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Comfortable slope side hotel with hot spring baths
Hotel Ureshima
Kii-Katsuura
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Modern ryokan with cave-carved baths overlooking the Pacific
Travel your way...
Our hot-spring holidays are entirely bespoke. We start by listening closely to your wishes, then craft a personalised itinerary just for you, fine-tuning every detail.
Your thermal journey. Your rhythms. Your way.
