Day 1 Kii-Tanabe ★Meeting Day (by public transportation)
All day
Today is the full-day gathering
day in Osaka. Tourists will purchase their own flights and arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Upon arrival, take public transportation to Kii-Tanabe Station and proceed to the meeting hotel. Upon arrival, present your passport and check in.
After checking in, please purchase your own snacks and water for the second day's hike
. A pre-trip meeting will be held in the evening to discuss travel precautions.
Get some sleep early to prepare for the second day's hike
. A complimentary travel journal has been prepared for you to collect stamps from various attractions along the way. Sign up for the China-TravelNote itinerary, so you don't need to bring your own!
Airport Pickup Arrangement: If
your flight arrives between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, our tourist staff will meet you at the airport and guide you to public transportation (transportation costs are at your own expense). If your flight arrives later, we will provide you with detailed directions to your hotel.
P.S. If you encounter any inconvenience, please feel free to call the local tour guide to help you resolve the issue.
Visa Information:
This product requires you to apply for a Japanese visa yourself. It's recommended to apply 10-15 working days in advance, and the visa date must cover your travel dates. China-TravelNote can assist you with this process; search for "Japan visa" for details.
We promise a full refund if you present your visa rejection documents three days in advance, provided they haven't been rejected. (Note: This does not include situations where the visa application cannot be processed due to incomplete documents, insufficient visa time, or other reasons.)
丨Pre-trip instructions:
After payment for the activity, you can check the Japan pre-trip guide in the order to help you prepare for the trip; 5-7 days before the departure of the activity, we will send a travel text message (including the meeting hotel, how to join the group, and the tour guide), so please pay attention to the text message and the website notification; 1-3 days before the activity, the itinerary will be sent in the order, and the group will be notified again with the instructions for filling out the Japan entry card, etc.
Registration Instructions:
Kumano is limited and will close once all seats are filled. The website states that each group can accommodate up to 25 people, but the number of seats per group may vary slightly depending on availability. We recommend registering 20-30 days in advance to reserve a spot. If the group is not full, the closing date is 5 days in advance. The actual number of seats available will be determined based on the actual number of guests.
Day 2: Kii-Tanabe → Tajiri-Prince → Chikaro-Prince
All day
Hiking information
Hiking distance: 16 km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Cumulative ascent and fall: +1000/-800 meters
After breakfast, we'll take the MRT to Takijiri-oji and begin our day of hiking! We'll pass Takahara, known as the "Village in the Mist," and then head to Gyubadoji, a landmark on the Kumano Kodo Nakabe Road. We'll then continue towards Chikatsuyu-oji, where we'll conclude our first day of hiking and stay overnight at a nearby guesthouse.
Special Note: While B&Bs don't have private bathrooms, they offer excellent sanitation. Depending on booking availability, they may sleep two or four people. B&Bs are a part of the Kumano Kodo culture, and their facilities and experience differ significantly from those of hotels. Different B&B owners offer unique experiences. We've reserved the unique Jinlu Prince B&B for a complete experience of the Kumano Kodo's charm.
Day 3 Kinro Prince → Hoshinmon Prince → Fukufu Prince → Hiraiwaguchi Bus Stop → Mineeyu Hot Spring
All day
Hiking information
Hiking distance: about 24 kilometers
Hiking time: about 8 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +960/-300 meters
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we'll board a bus (the bus leaves at 7:23 AM and only runs once, so please be on time) to the hiking starting point, Tsugizakura-oji. Today's activity will be the most intense of the trip. We'll then hike to Hosshinmon-oji, one of the most important Oji shrines along the way. Oji shrines are ruins along the route, serving as post stations and landmarks along the way since the Heian Period. We'll then continue past Fushimi-oji and arrive at either the Hiraiwaguchi Bus Stop or the Kumano Hongu Taisha Bus Stop to catch a bus to the hot spring hotel for a relaxing soak.
PS: The last bus from Hiraiwaguchi Bus Station leaves at 16:53. Please pay attention to the time and follow the queue closely to avoid missing the last bus.
Day 4: Minaeyu Onsen → Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine → Hayatama Taisha Shrine → Koyasaka → Katsuura
All day
Hiking information
Hiking distance: about 12 kilometers
Hiking time: about 4 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +560/-500 meters
In the morning, you can use the hot spring water to boil eggs and vegetables before continuing your hike to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. This important shrine is considered a marvel of wooden architecture. It's said to mark the intersection between the mortal world and the divine realm, boasting the world's largest torii gate.
If you have already completed the Camino de Santiago, please bring your certificate with you. We will collect your double pilgrimage certification at the Hongu Shrine.
In the afternoon, we arrived in Shingu City by bus. We first visited Kamikura Jinjya Shrine. Perched midway up Mt. Gongen, the shrine is said to be the sacred site where the deities of the Kumano Sanzan first descended. It serves as the main shrine of Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine. To reach the shrine, one must climb over 500 steep stone steps along the Kumano Kodo Trail. From the summit, one can overlook Shingu City and Kumano Beach.
Walk to Hayatama Taisha Shrine for worship.
China-TravelNote Summer Exclusive (April 2nd - October 7th): Koyasaka
After leaving Hayatama Taisha Shrine, continue your hike to Koyasaka, a truly hidden gem of the mountains and sea. Half of this area is a bamboo forest, and half is the Pacific Ocean and a black sand beach. The rustling of leaves and the echo of waves crashing on the beach fill your ears, creating a condensed experience of both mountain and sea. (Due to early darkness in autumn and winter, groups visiting after October 7th are not permitted.)
Finally, we took a train from Miwazaki JR Station to Kii Katsuura, a hot spring resort, for a rest.
Day 5 Katsuura → Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine★Dissolution Day
All day
Hiking information
Hiking distance: about 4 kilometers
Hiking time: about 2 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +200 meters
If we get up early, we can also visit the real fish market by the harbor, where tuna caught in nearby waters will be auctioned, and we will have the opportunity to witness this spectacular scene (*you cannot visit the fish market on holidays or when the catch is low).
Afterwards, we'll take a bus to Daimonzaka. From the Daimonzaka Trail, we'll head to Nachi Taisha Shrine. Afterwards, we'll dress in Heian-era ceremonial attire and embark on a two-hour pilgrimage, concluding at the station.
Today is the end of the tour. We will depart by JR Line, depending on flight availability. Please let us know in advance if you would like to book an extension or stay overnight in Katsuura.
For tourists returning to Osaka that day, our guide will assist you in purchasing JR tickets, so there's no need to worry.
Friendly Reminders:
1. The group will disband at Kii-Katsuura JR Station around 1:00 PM. The return journey by JR line takes 4 hours, so we recommend purchasing a return ticket for the next day.
2. Accommodation is not included for this night; please arrange your own accommodation based on your flight or schedule.
