JAPAN: KUMANO KODO PILGRIMAGE TRAIL
The Kumano Kodo, is a great immersion into Japanese culture and provides an insight into Buddhist history and traditional Japan. The mountains, rural valleys, rivers and waterfalls of the Kumano Kodo Trail offer spectacular views. This Ancient Trail, is a pilgrimage route to Kumano, part of the mountainous Kii Peninsula, The well-maintained trail weaves its way through valleys, mountains and small villages. Along the way enjoy hot spring baths and delicious Japanese food.
Japan has been a country inhabited for at least thirty thousand years. During the last ice age, it was connected to mainland Asia by a land bridge allowing stone-age hunters to walk across. When the ice age ended around 10,000 BC Japan became a group of islands, which is how it sits today.
The Kumano Kodo's verdant mountains, quiet valleys, roaring rivers and plunging waterfalls provide a spectacular landscape to explore while thoroughly imbuing yourself in the region's rich, ancient history and charming rural life.
In 2018 a 'Dual Pilgrim' initiative was established which recognises pilgrims who have completed one of the options for the Kumano Kodo and one of the options for the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St James. The two main symbols of both routes: the Yatagasaru and the scallop shell appear on the Dual Pilgrim credential.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION SELECTED FOR AUTHENTICITY & COMFORT
DELICIOUS TRADITIONAL JAPANESE FOOD
The local cuisine is an integral part of the excitement and wonder of travel and your journey in Japan with us is no exception. From the freshest of seafood to the tastiest tempura and various other selections, the meals and food will be sure to impress.
ABOUT THE INNER & OUTER JOURNEY
You will enjoy the company of an experienced local leader throughout your journey who will share the history and culture as you walk.
Louise
Marra will be your co-host on this Inner and Outer Journey. Louise is passionate about helping people awaken to their own wholeness, wisdom and love.
She works with individuals, groups, organisations and communities to help them discover and live their full potential.
“Walking and being in nature allows us to heal and change our outdated patterns and versions of ourselves in favour of the larger self that is waiting
for us.”
Louise has worked for prime ministers, leaders, street kids, grass root groups, all types of individuals to help them and others create a better world.
Her style is to work with emergence and all the wisdom people bring to help create life journeys that are adventures!
Interacting with the unknown and sharing each others stories. The focus is on exploring, being reinvigorated, and rekindling creativity and the importance
of connection and conversation.
Each day we will take in the beauty and magic of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail whilst realising that it is not just that we walk, it is how we walk!
Louise will describe strategies each day to encourage awareness that is inspiring and to encourage more focus on the present rather than thinking of the past.
LOGISTICS ABOUT THE WALKING
To enjoy the walking, we recommend a reasonable level of fitness and that you feel comfortable with walking distances ranging from 9 km - 17km over the course of a day.
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1 / Night 1 & Day 2 / Night 2
ARRIVE KYOTO
Arrival and Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 / Night 3
TAKAHARA
Kii-Tanabe is the gateway town to the Kumano Kodo Trail and it is a city surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains on the other.
We will take a 40-minute bus ride to Takijiri Oji, to start the walk. Today’s walk is short in distance but a fairly steep uphill climb up to Takahara,
a small ridge-top settlement, noted for its ancient shrine and a spectacular view over the surrounding Hatenashi Mountain Ranges. Buddhist statues
and Oji shrines, line the route along the ancient highway as you climb upwards.
Hike from Takijiri Oji to Takahara - Total Walking Distance approx. 5km
Day 4 / Night 4
Leaving Takahara Village behind, we head further into the mountains along the old trail, continue to pass by reminders of the old highway, including an ichirizuka distance marker and the sites of old former tea houses. Tea houses were used by pilgrims in need of rest and shelter.
The trail then descends past the Three-Fold Moon viewing area, from here you can visit the famous Gyuba-doji statue. Follow the cobbled path and staircase to Chikatsuyu, a small village where you can get supplies and drinks.
Total walking distance - approx. 10km
CHIKATSUYU to YUNOMINE ONSEN
Day 6 / Night 6
YUNOMINE to KOGUCHI
This morning we will take a short bus ride from Yunomine to Ukegawa to begin our walk. This walking section, from Ukegawa to Koguchi is a gentle trek over the Hyakken-gura pass (today's highlight).
On the Hyakken-gura pass there is a Buddhist statue on a hilltop which has a backdrop of the most spectacular panoramic views of the 3600 peaks of Kumano.
The trail continues to rise and fall towards the Sakura-jaya teahouse remains, which offers more amazing views across the mountains. The trail continues on a forest track and eventually descends into Koguchi, a small and isolated village surrounded by mountains and rivers.
KOGUCHI to KII KATSUURA
Today we begin with a physically demanding uphill section that rises 800 metres to the Echizen-toge Pass. We pass the Jizo-jaya teahouse remains where it is said that this part of the trail is inhabited by spirits! We continue through forest until Funami Toge pass where we have views of the Pacific Ocean. We descend past Shrines and Temples and the spectacular Nachi-no-Otaki waterfall, the highest in Japan. Our final destination is Kii Katsuura, a small fishing village where we relax and enjoy the completion of your extraordinary Kumano Kodo walk!
OSAKA
Today after breakfast, we transfer back to Osaka, the former Imperial capital of Japan for more than one thousand years.
Day 9
Today your adventure on the Kumano Kodo Trail comes to an end, however your journey will live on through the memories of this unique destination.
Wandering the World hope you have had a journey of a lifetime and welcome your choice to wander with us again.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING:
PHONE: +61 (0) 402 910 552
EMAIL: Glenyce Johnson glenycej@wanderingtheworld.com.au
Or VISIT: www.wanderingtheworld.com.au
Full booking conditions and payment details available on request.
Wandering the World specialises in creating and tailoring exceptional walking, trekking and touring holidays in some of the most beautiful places on earth. This includes both escorted small group and self-guided trips, as well as individually tailored itineraries for privately organised trips.
We are passionate about sharing the places we love and offer our expertise to ensure our travellers enjoy rich and authentic travelling experiences.
Wandering the World select authentic and comfortable accommodation and our itineraries are focused on immersing travellers in the local culture and uncovering the hidden gems of a destination. We are committed to ensuring our travellers have a trip of a lifetime.
