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Kumano Kodo · Completely covered in 6 days

D1

Day 1 Osaka☆Meeting Day

All day

【Free gathering day】

Today is the gathering day. You will be free to go to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan to meet us. You will have free time all day.

Tips: If your flight arrives between 9:00 and 18:00, our tourists 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 the hotel to save you the trouble of transportation. P.S. If you encounter any inconvenience, you can always call the local tour guide to help you solve the problem.

Tourists arriving early can head to the Rinku Premium Outlets, Kansai's largest shopping mall for designer goods. Experience the warmth of Japanese hospitality and begin your Japan adventure. Arrive at your hotel later and rest early to recharge for the upcoming journey.



How to get to your destination:

This itinerary is for a destination in Osaka. You will need to book your own flight tickets. There are connecting or direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to Osaka Kansai International Airport (airport code KIX).

Visa Information:

This trip requires you to apply for a Japanese visa on your own. We recommend applying for a visa 7-15 working days in advance. The visa period must cover the travel date. China-TravelNote can assist you in applying for a visa.

D2

Day 2 Osaka → Inaba-no-ji → Kita-gungoshi → Shiomi-togekoshi → Takijiri-no-ji → Hidehira Sakura → Hotel

All day

Hiking information (data for reference only)

Hiking distance: 20 km

Hiking time: 9-10 hours

Cumulative elevation: +1200/-1000m

Today's stamping locations (13): Prince Inane; Kitagurokoshi; Shiomitogekoshi; Prince Takijiri; Prince Fushin; Takahara Kumano Shrine; Prince Daimon; Prince Jujo; Prince Osakamoto; Ushiba-doji; Prince Chikaro; Prince Tsugezakura; Prince Hidehira

After breakfast, we drove to the first three stamping points on Zhongbian Road to check in. The distance from the hotel to Prince Daoyegen is about 114km, and the drive takes about 1.5 hours.

We will then start our hike from Takijiri-oji, passing through Takahara, a plateau known as the "Village in the Mist," and head towards Gyubadoji, a landmark on the Kumano Kodo Central Trail. We will then continue towards Chikatsuyu-oji.

It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Xiuhengying to the rest hotel, which is about 62km away. In order to facilitate everyone's hiking and avoid packing, we have arranged the same hotel for everyone on Day 2-DAY 4.

Driving time: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes; approximately 176 km

Hiking: Hiking distance: 20 km Hiking time: 9-10 hours Total elevation gain: +1200/-1000m

Note: Considering the arduous journey, we will stay in the same hotel for DAY2-DAY4 to save you the trouble of packing.

D3

Day 3 Hotel → Snake-Shaped Ksitigarbha → Prince Tangfeng → Hotel

All day

Hiking information (data for reference only)

Hiking distance: about 17 kilometers

Hiking time: about 7-8 hours

Cumulative elevation: +700/-400m

Today's stamping spots (10): Snake-shaped Jizo; Prince Yukawa; Prince Pig Nose; Prince Hoshinmon; Prince Suiton; Prince Fushigi; Prince Batten; Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine; Old Shrine Grounds Daisaigahara; Prince Yumine;

After breakfast, we will take a bus from the hotel to the Snake-shaped Ksitigarbha, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and covers a distance of about 60 km. Our hike today will start from the Snake-shaped Ksitigarbha. We will pass 8 stamping points along the way. After arriving at Prince Tangfeng in the afternoon, we will take a bus back to the hotel to check in. The journey takes about 1 hour and the distance is about 49.5 km.

Driving time: about 2 hours and 15 minutes, about 110 km

Hiking: Hiking distance: about 17 kilometers Hiking time: about 7-8 hours Total elevation gain: +700/-400m

Note: Considering the arduous journey, we will stay in the same hotel for DAY2-DAY4 to save you the trouble of packing.

D4

Day 4 Hotel → Kiyokawa → Kogumotorikoshi → Koguchi → Hotel

All day

Hiking information (data for reference only)

Hiking distance: about 14 kilometers

Hiking time: about 6-7 hours

Cumulative elevation: +600/-700m

Today's stamping locations (5): Usugawa River; Ishido Teahouse Ruins; Owadase Ferry Ruins; Oguchi; River's Ancient Road

After breakfast, take a bus to Qingchuan and walk along the ruins of the Shitang Tea House to Xiaokou

After the hike, we returned to the hotel by car. We stopped by the ancient road along the way. The drive took about 55 minutes and the distance was about 43.8 km.

PS: The Xiaoyun section is quite difficult. If you feel that you can't continue the journey in Qingchuan, you can take a car to descend here. After entering the Xiaoyun section, vehicles cannot pass and you will not be able to descend.

Driving time: about 1 hour and 55 minutes, about 90 km

Hiking: Hiking distance: about 14 kilometers (Hongu Taisha Shrine - Yumine Hot Springs about 3.5 kilometers, Xiaoyun Takateshi about 12 kilometers) Hiking time: about 6-7 hours

Note: Considering the arduous journey, we will stay in the same hotel for DAY2-DAY4 to save you the trouble of packing.

D5

Day 5 Hotel → Okumotorikoshi → Jizo Teahouse Ruins → Seigantoji Temple → Ichino-no-Oji → Hamanomiya-Oji → Katsuura Seaside Hot Spring Hotel

All day

Hiking information (data for reference only)

Hiking distance: about 22 kilometers

Hiking time: about 9-10 hours

Cumulative elevation: +1300/-1200m

Today's stamping locations (8): Jizo Teahouse Ruins; Seigantoji Temple; Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine; Hiryu Shrine; Tafuki Prince; Ichino Prince; Potala Temple; Hamanonomiya Prince

After breakfast, we'll head to the entrance of Daiunto-etsu to begin today's hike. This section of the hike is quite steep, so be prepared. We'll continue to Nachi Taisha Shrine. Along the way, we'll pass the ruins of the Jizo Teahouse, Nachi Taisha Shrine, Seiganto-ji Temple, Hiryu Falls, and Tafuku-oji before descending Daimonzaka. We'll take a bus to Ichino-oji to check in. We'll continue by bus to Potalazan-ji Temple to conclude the day. Overnight at Katsuura Hotel.

Driving time: about 1 hour and 45 minutes, about 50 km

Hiking: Hiking distance: about 22 kilometers Hiking time: about 9-10 hours Total elevation gain: +1300/-1200m

Note: Tonight's hotel will be changed to a special hot spring hotel, so please pack your luggage in advance before departure

D6

Day 6 Tuna Auction → Kokogo Pass → Koyasaka → Hayatama Taisha Shrine → Complete Expedition Certificate → Osaka Airport Transfer

All day

Hiking information (data for reference only)

Hiking distance: about 6 kilometers

Hiking time: about 3-4 hours

Cumulative elevation: +300/-300m

Today’s stamping points (5): Kogoko Pass; Konosaka; Asuka Shrine; Kamikura Shrine; Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine

Get up early to visit the tuna auction, then take a bus to Kokogo Pass and Koyasaka Pass to check in and get stamps. The drive takes about 20 minutes and is about 13 km. Then go to Hayatama Taisha Shrine for a hike, collecting stamps from Kamikura Shrine and Asuka Shrine along the way. After the hike, go together to get a certificate of complete trekking.

Afterwards, we will be dropped off at Kansai Airport (the journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, covering a distance of about 187 km. If there is no traffic, we will arrive at the airport around 20:00. For tourists returning on the same day, we recommend booking a flight after 22:00 or a flight returning the next day). For those who are not returning to China on the same day, we will continue to take the bus back to downtown Osaka, ending our 6-day pleasant trip.

Driving time: about 4 hours, distance about 200km

Hiking: Hiking distance: about 6 kilometers Hiking time: about 3-4 hours Total elevation gain: +300/-300m

Time difference: Japan is one hour ahead of China, but the time difference is not significant (for example, 13:00 Beijing time is equal to 14:00 Tokyo time).

Q: Do I need to bring trekking poles? Are there any local rentals?

It is recommended to bring trekking poles. There is no local rental. Trekking poles need to be checked in when flying and cannot be brought into the cabin.

Q: Can I bring 26-inch and 28-inch luggage? Can I bring one 20-inch piece and one 26-inch piece?

Each person is only allowed one piece of checked luggage, with no size restrictions and within 15kg

Q: Can I pick up my luggage every day?

Luggage can be picked up every night, and there is a special luggage transfer vehicle to help transport it to the next accommodation. When hiking, you only need to carry a single day's equipment.

Q: Do I need to bring cash on the road? Are there places to eat or do I need to prepare in advance? When should I buy?

You'll need to bring cash, as there are no shops along the way, only vending machines that accept cash only. We recommend changing at least 20,000 yen to buy water along the way. If you need to buy other things, you can change accordingly. Meals are included in the itinerary, except for the first and second nights, which require you to bring your own. Meals for the second night can be purchased on the evening of the meeting day.

Q: Do I need to purchase transportation tickets in advance for arrival and departure?

It depends on your itinerary in Japan. If you only participate in the Kumano Kodo itinerary, you do not need to purchase a transportation ticket.

Q: Is there a washing machine in the accommodation?

Some hotels and B&Bs have laundry rooms and offer paid laundry services (Note: Do not put glued outdoor clothing in the dryer to prevent the glue from coming off).

Q: Does the property provide disposable toiletries and slippers?

Some hotels provide them, but we strongly recommend that you bring your own toiletries and non-disposable slippers. Protecting the environment starts with you and me!

Q: Do I need to bring a swimsuit to the hot springs? Can I bring my cell phone into the hot springs?

You are not allowed to wear clothes in the hot springs, and it is not recommended to bring mobile phones to the hot springs

Perhaps you've experienced the bustling streets of Tokyo and wandered through Kyoto's 3,000 temples and shrines. But deep down, you long for a hidden gem of Japan, a tranquil place nestled deep in the mountains. It's an ancient trail, the Kumano Kodo, which has traversed Japan for millennia.

Like the Camino de Santiago, the Kumano Kodo has more than one route. This time, we'll focus on the Nakabe Road, a path of mossy stone steps amidst verdant foliage that encircles the Kumano Sanzan Shrines (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha). The area boasts historical monuments and stone monuments, as well as natural hot springs and waterfalls. The complex network of ancient routes leads to important Buddhist shrines, forming a unique network of pilgrimage routes that span the southern Kii Peninsula and southern Osaka, offering breathtaking scenery amidst verdant mountains and clear waters.

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