Embark on a spiritual journey through the three main shrines of Kumano Kodo.
Embark on a spiritual journey through the region of HigashiKishu and Wakayama prefecture. Soon after your arrival, make a local sushi specialty named Mehari Sushi with your own hands in a culinary workshop. Later, start following the ancient pilgrim’s footsteps by walking the famous Kumano Kodo route at the Matsumoto-Toge pass. At the end of this short course, you will reach the dynamic rock formations of Onigajo, eroded by strong wind and sea over many millennia. End your day in a modern Japanese ryokan and recharge yourself at its hot springs.
Itinerary highlights
Self-guided or fully guided tour covering the three grand shrines of Kumano.
An Authentic Kumano Kodo hiking experience at Matsumoto Toge Pass
Make your own local sushi experience
Traditional sailboat experience
Day 1 - Kumano
Soon after your arrival, make a local sushi specialty named Mehari Sushi with your own hands in a culinary workshop. Later, start following the ancient pilgrim’s footsteps by walking the famous Kumano Kodo route at the Matsumoto-Toge pass. At the end of this short course, you will reach the dynamic rock formations of Onigajo, eroded by strong wind and sea over many millennia. End your day in a modern Japanese ryokan and recharge yourself at its hot springs.
Suggested attractions
Onigajo
world heritage site with 14 million years history featuring extraordinary wild caves and cliffs created by nature through geological protrusion, erosion and weathering.
Mehari Sushi experience
Make a local sushi specialty named Mehari Sushi with your own hands in a culinary workshop.
Matsumoto Pass Kumano Kodo
Follow the ancient pilgrim’s footsteps
by walking a section of the famous Kumano Kodo route
Ichigimomen Textile Workshop
Make your own perfume pouche
or making a decorative frame from scraps of fabric
Suggested accommodations
Kumano Club Resort
A Luxury resort that brings together the best of the Kumano region: local products, experiences, and scenery.
Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryuso
Hot spring ryokan which features open-air baths overlooking the picturesque scenery of Kitayama River, as well as kaiseki cuisine prepared with local seasonal ingredients.
Options
Local stay — Stay at a modern Japanese ryokan and recharge yourself at its hot springs.
Day 2 - Shingu
On the 2nd day, visit the town of Shingu and ride on the traditional "Sandanbo" Sailboat while appreciating the scenery on both sides of the bank of the Kumano river. Soon after the end of your boat tour, visit the first grand shrine of the Kumano Kodo, the Hayatama Taisha. Following, enjoy a lunch at a traditional unagi shop and proceed to the second grand shrine of the day, the Kumano Hongu Taisha, famous for the largest Torii shrine gate in the world. Come back to your hotel by private transportation for the night.
Suggested attractions
Kumano Hongu Taisha
The Kumano Hongū Taisha is a Shinto shrine in Tanabe, Wakayama, and is located deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula.
Kumano River Sandanbo
Ride on the traditional "Sandanbo" Sailboat while appreciating the scenery on both sides of the bank of the Kumano river.
Hayatama Taisha
Kumano Hayatama Taisha is a Shinto shrine in Shingu, Wakayama. It is located at the mouth of the Kumano-gawa River, where the water flows from the heights of the Kii Mountains into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
Suggested accommodations
Kumano Club Resort
A Luxury resort that brings together the best of the Kumano region: local products, experiences, and scenery.
Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryuso
Hot spring ryokan which features open-air baths overlooking the picturesque scenery of Kitayama River, as well as kaiseki cuisine prepared with local seasonal ingredients.
Day 3 - Nachi
On the 3rd day, end your spiritual journey by visiting the last grand shrine located halfway up Nachi Mountain, the great Nachi Taisha. Here you will also enjoy the view of the tallest single-tiered waterfall in Japan and its neighboring Seigantoji temple and its iconic bold red pagoda. At the end of your visit, proceed with your journey to Nagoya or Wakayama prefecture.
Suggested attractions
Nachi Taisha & Seigantoji temple
The Kumano Nachi Taisha is a Shinto shrine and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed holy sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountains of Japan.
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