Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Kyoto, Japan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, step out onto the streets for your first taste of this beautiful city. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (translating to the ‘tranquillity and peace capital’) in AD 794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years before the emperor and government relocated to Tokyo. Because of this, Kyoto is home to over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens. After the meeting tonight, maybe head out for your first taste of local Japanese food. As the millennium-long home of the imperial kitchen, Kyoto is known as the centre of Japanese culinary tradition, so you’re sure to have a delicious meal wherever you go.

Get active this morning with a walk to the eighth century Shimogamo Shrine – located at the intersection of the Kamo-gamo and Takano rivers. The shrine is dedicated to the god of harvest and holds many rites around purification and agricultural produce, and this visit will introduce Shintoism – an Indigenous belief system connecting ancient past and present Japanese culture together. Continue to the renowned Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, to see Japanese garden design at its best and learn about the key principles of Japanese Zen. After, take a short but steep hike up behind Ginkaku-ji for some scenic views over Kyoto. On your way back to the hotel, walk along Philosopher’s Path, lined with cherry blossom trees, and if there’s time, stop by two other Zen temples. Today’s introduction to the importance of Buddhism and Shintoism in Japanese culture will inform some aspects of your hiking trails in the days to come, so listen up!

Take a train to Kii-hosokawa Station in the Koya-san district, ready for your forest trek. Koya-san is the name given to a monastic complex in the Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park and is one of Japan’s most sacred sites. Begin your trek on the Koya-san Choishi Michi trail, passing by stone signposts (choishi), which stand every few hundred metres to help the original pilgrims find their way. You’ll reach Daimon Gate – a two-storey crimson gate that marks the entrance to Koya-san. Being the centre of Shingon Buddhism, Koya-san is steeped in centuries of history, and you’ll be able to learn about its role as an active spiritual centre this afternoon. Tonight, you’ll stay in traditional shukubo (temple stay) accommodation and tuck into a shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) meal provided by your hosts.

This morning, you’ll have the chance to participate in the monastery’s morning prayers, before making tracks to Yunomine Onsen by private vechicle. This journey weaves through the Koya-san and Kumano Kodo mountains. Yunomine is an ancient onsen town that forms part of the Kumano Kodo trail, which you’ll be trekking in the coming days. Yunomine Onsen has such a long history that one of its onsen baths, Tsuboyu, is a UNESCO a World Heritage-listed site. Historically, pilgrims would perform purification rituals in the hot spring water as part of the religious process of their pilgrimage. You’ll also get to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha – one of the three grand Shinto shrines on the Kumano Kodo.

Embrace an early start as you set out this morning to hike part of the historic Kumano Kodo – one of only two UNESCO World Heritage-listed pilgrimage routes in the world (the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain)! This morning, transfer to Ukegawa by bus, then begin hiking to Koguchi. The first 5 km are a gradual uphill to Hyakken-gura, then it’s an undulating trail to the Sakura-toge Pass for around 3.5 km. After this, it will mostly be downhill until you reach Koguchi. Today’s trails are surrounded by natural forest, full of cedar and cypress trees, and upon reaching the Hyakken-gura peak, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the mountainous terrain of Wakayama.

Get ready for another full-day hike on the sacred Kumano Kodo. For around the first 3 hours, it’s a steep uphill climb, rising to over 800 m. After reaching the Echizen-toge Pass, follow the ridge of the forest for another couple of kilometres until you reach the highest point at Funami-jaya teahouse (868 m). Continue mostly downhill to Nachi Taisha – another of the three Kumano shrines and probably the most photographed because of the waterfalls that cascade in the background. Enjoy the peaceful scenery and sense of accomplishment before heading by local bus to Kii Katsuura this afternoon. Your accommodation this evening is a Japanese-style guesthouse.

In the morning, visit the local tuna market at Kii Katsuura, where tuna from the cool waters of the Pacific is traded daily. Then, hop on a train and rest your legs for the long journey to Osaka. You’ll arrive around lunchtime, then you’ll head out on a walking tour with your leader to the famous Dotombori neighbourhood – the city’s most popular shopping, food and entertainment district. At night, this district is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku crab. Tonight, maybe get together for a night of food, drinks and karaoke!

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end and you’re free to depart at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore Osaka further, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.