Name: Japan's Kumano Kodo
Brand: Exodus Travels
SKU: TOQ
Price: 8700 USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Overview

Highlights

Explore beautiful and fascinating Kyoto
Enjoy historic pilgrimage walks along the Kumano Kodo
Immerse in Japanese culture off the beaten track
Walk the Nakasendo Way from Tsumago to Magome
Learn about the pearl-collecting Ama Divers while staying in Toba
Stay in charming Kiso Fukushima

What's this trip about?

After uncovering ancient shrines and pathways in Kyoto, we head off the beaten track to the Kumano Kodo region, one of the most remote and rewarding pilgrimage routes in Japan. This moderately challenging walking trip focuses on beautiful scenery, nature and rural life, while following some of the most historic walks in the country. Staying in traditional ryokans along the way, we fully immerse in authentic Japanese culture and way of life. After, we visit Toba to learn about the pearl-collecting Ama Divers and embark on one last pilgrimage walk on the Nakasendo Way, before re-entering modern civilisation in Tokyo.Walk ancient pilgrimage routes along the Kumano Kodo

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights

Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max

Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17

Flights and transportN/A

Start CityKyoto

End CityTokyo

Travel Themes

Hiking & Walking

Activities

Hiking

Trip includes

All breakfasts, six lunches and nine dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Kyoto

With about 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japan’s cultural heritage and remains one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Unlike many other Japanese cities, it escaped the ravages of both the Second World War and modern urban develo...

Day 2 Hike to the Kibune shrine; onto Kurama temple; return to Kyoto

This morning, we set out on our first hike, visiting the northern mountains and the Kibune shrine, followed by the Kurama temple. Our first stop, however, is the Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion). From here, we climb up to the Daimonji mountain for an excellent view of Kyot...

Day 3 Walk on the ancient Yamanobe-no-michi

Leaving the north of Kyoto, we enjoy a pleasant hike on the Yamanobe-no-michi. The path is believed to be the oldest still in existence connecting Edo (present day Tokyo) with the western parts of Japan with a history of more than 1,200 years. Starting in present-day ...

Day 4 Morning walk to the Fushimi Inari shrine; free time in Kyoto before train to Tanabe

We have an early start to visit the most iconic sight in Kyoto: the Shinto shrine known as Fushimi Inari-taisha. Working folk have worshipped Inari, the deity of good harvest and business, since the seventh century. Even today, businessmen and entrepreneurs from all c...

Day 5 Start walking the Kumano Kodo. Bus transfer to Takajiri-oji; hike to Nonaka passing Takahara village

After an early breakfast, we take a bus to Takijiri-oji, the start point of the pilgrimage, from where we walk to Takahara. This is the steepest part of the trail, leading to Takahara Shrine, a Shinto shrine surrounded by ancient camphor trees. From here, we walk towa...

Day 6 Walk in the forest, crossing rivers and ancient shrines; transfer by local bus to Yunomine Onsen

Today we start with a 10-minute bus ride to the start of our hike. We first start walking uphill, and head towards the woods to see Tsugizakura-oji, a sub-shrine at the top of steep stairs leading into a thick forest of huge cedar trees believed. Next to the entrance ...

Day 7 Follow the old spiritual path from Ukegawa to Koguchi; transfer to Kawayu Onsen; enjoy views of the Kumano mountains

After breakfast, we take a bus from Yunomine Onsen to Ukegawa where today’s hike (mainly along unpaved road) commences. We pass the remains of the Matsuhata-jaya teahouse and Hyakken-gura, one of the top spots in Wakayama to see the Kumano mountains, which consists o...

Day 8 Walk past historic sites and enjoy wonderful views to Nachi Falls and Kumano Nachi Taisha

We rise very early and return to Koguchi to begin our hike. Today’s trail is one of the most challenging sections of Kumano Kodo, taking us through forested hills and along unpaved roads. However, a series of historic sites and wonderful views await as we pass Waroda-...

Day 9 Travel by train to Toba in the rural Mie prefecture; learn about the Ama Divers on Mikimoto Pearl Island

After breakfast, we get ready for a short walk to return to Katsuura station on foot (with luggage), where we begin our journey by train to Toba in the neighbouring Mie prefecture. The rural Mie prefecture has forested landscapes and Mediterranean-looking coastlines....

Day 10 Osatsu village followed by lunch at the Ama hut; visit Ise Shrine

This morning, we can relax in the ryokan or walk around the neighbourhood where there may be the chance to visit a local shrine and temple or, in warmer weather, enjoy a swim at the local sandy beach. Late morning, we take a short walk to visit the hut of an Ama Dive...

Day 11 Scenic train journey to Kiso Fukushima

A long and scenic train journey with one change takes us to Kiso Fukushima in about 4hr 30min. Upon arrival, we take a short orientation tour with our leader. Kiso Fukushima is a delightful town in the Nagano prefecture on the railway line between Nagoya and Matsumot...

Day 12 Walk a section of the ancient Nakasendo Way from Tsumago to Magome

After an early breakfast, we travel by train to Nagiso in about 50 minutes. Upon arrival, we take a short ride on a local bus to Tsumago, a well-preserved post town. Tsumago had a golden era when merchants, nobles and other prominent people frequently passed through ...

Day 13 Train to Tokyo; free time to explore

After breakfast, we embark on our last scenic train journey to Tokyo in a little over three hours with one change en route. We may catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji on the way, if weather conditions permit. We recommend buying a bento on the way for lunch as the journey i...

Day 14 End Tokyo

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. For more information on returning home, see the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes. Alternatively, if you’d like to spend a little longer exploring, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Dates & Availability

Price from

$8,700

Price per day

$621

Japan's Kumano Kodo Reviews & Ratings

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Anonymous

Jan 2018

Japan's Kumano Kodoby Exodus Travels

Kumano Kodo: A fascinating insight in to Japan.

This was an excellent trip that we thoroughly enjoyed, giving an insight into contrasting landscapes/areas of Japan and to its culture and food. After initial expl...

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Details

Accommodation:

We spend eight nights in traditional guesthouses/ryokans in Japanese-style rooms (shared bathrooms) and five nights in comfortable hotels. For eight nights, we stay in ryokans, comfortable traditional inns where we experience the timeless rhythms and customs of the Japanese countryside. Ryokans, while comfortable and full of local character, do not run along the same lines as Western hotels and all have their own unique style. Some are more like Japanese B&Bs with a homestay feel and guests make their own Japanese-style beds up, while others are managed more like a standard hotel with bedding made up for guests. Rooms do not generally have private facilities and bedding is usually in the Japanese style with thick futon mattresses placed on tatami mats on the floor. Rooms are always doubles or twin-share but bathrooms and showers are generally communal. Please be advised, while females and males have access to separate bathrooms, inside showering and bathing facilities can lack the level of privacy you would be used to in a Western-style shared bathroom. This is very common in Japan and by staying in mostly traditional ryokans, there is the chance to have a very authentic cultural experience throughout the tour. In Kyoto, Tanabe and Tokyo, we stay in comfortable Western-style hotels with rooms that have private bathrooms. Single supplements are very limited and only available for five nights of the trip (three nights in Kyoto, one night in Katsuura and one night in Tokyo). Please advise at time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement (subject to availability). In Japan, often single supplements can be accommodated in either an actual single and/or double for sole use room in hotels. Onsen (Japanese public bath) For many visitors to Japan, the onsen is unfamiliar territory. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and the bathing facilities and inns frequently situated around them. The combination of a strict bathing etiquette, that nudity is compulsory, and that the water temperature is often hotter than most hot tubs can cause some reluctance for first timers. However, once the courage is mustered, you may discover that a dip in an onsen is a highlight of your visit to Japan. We can try onsens on a few occasions throughout the trip. Please note, you may be refused entry if you have large and visible tattoos. Some accommodations may have private baths available for reservation.

Group size:

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum number of people in group:

14

Trip Excludes:

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (single supplements valid 5 nights only)
Visas or vaccinations
Arrival & departure transfers (not available on this tour)

Meals included:

All breakfasts, six lunches and nine dinners are included. Japanese cuisine is usually one of the main highlights of any trip to Japan. It is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes, which are usually prepared with seasonal ingredients. Seafood is very common, and it usually comes grilled or deep fried. Sushi and sashimi aside, other staple dishes include soba or udon noodles, sukiyaki (meat, fish and vegetables cooked in broth) and yakiniku (grilled meat). The included breakfasts at the traditional guesthouses/ryokans are likely to be Japanese style. The included lunches mostly consist of bento boxes enjoyed during the walks or in some instances may be taken in small eateries where available. The included dinners are usually at ryokans (traditional guesthouses), which may include a kaiseki-style dinner, a multi-course meal including a dozen tiny dishes prepared with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. When food is not included, your leader can always recommend the best local eateries and arrange some group meals for a full immersion in the varied and excellent cuisine of Japan. Please note, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, is minimal or non-existent in Japan. However, there are several vegan restaurants in Kyoto and Tokyo. It may be a good idea to bring with you some foodstuffs that you normally consume or to supplement meals with snacks purchased in the local convenience stores. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any specific dietary requirements.

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Highlights

What's this trip about?

Travel Themes

Activities

Trip includes

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