Kii Peninsula, Japan · Route map
Sacred Peaks and Ancient Trails
This route focuses entirely on the mystical Kii Peninsula to make your pilgrimage dreams feasible in six days. We have bypassed Kyoto and Tokyo completely to give your sacred hikes the dedicated time they deserve.
- 1
Koyasan
2 nights
Temple stay and misty cedar forests
- 2
Tanabe
1 night
Gateway to the ancient pilgrimage
- 3
Hongu
2 nights
Deep Kumano Kodo hiking and hot springs
- ✦3 stops · 5 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Ascent to the Sacred Mountain
Arrive into Osaka Kansai Airport
Flight · Morning · Kansai Airport
Land at Osaka's main international gateway to begin your journey south.
Express train and cable car to Koyasan
Transfer · Morning · Koyasan
Take the Nankai line to Gokurakubashi, then the scenic cable car climb.
Walk the historic Choishi Michi trail
Excursion · Afternoon · Koyasan
Hike the final section of the traditional pilgrimage entry path.
Pass through the Daimon Gate just as the afternoon light begins to turn golden.
Overnight in Koyasan temple lodging
Accommodation · Evening · Koyasan
Soji-in offers incredible shojin ryori Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and beautiful gardens.
Monastic Rituals and Mystical Forests
Morning Buddhist chanting ceremony
Excursion · Morning · Koyasan
Rise early to join the temple monks for their daily prayers and fire ritual.
Dress warmly as the temple halls can be very chilly in the early morning.
Wander through Okunoin Cemetery
Excursion · Afternoon · Koyasan
Walk among 200,000 towering cedar trees and ancient moss-covered tombs.
Walk all the way to Gobyo, the mausoleum where Kobo Daishi is believed to meditate eternally.
Evening stroll under lantern light
At leisure · Evening · Koyasan
The stone path through Okunoin is beautifully illuminated by hundreds of bronze lanterns after dark.
Overnight in Koyasan temple lodging
Accommodation · Evening · Koyasan
South to the Coastal Gateway
Scenic mountain bus to Tanabe
Transfer · Morning · Ryujin Onsen
Take the Ryujin Bus winding through the spectacular Kii mountain pass.
Grab a window seat on the left side for the best mountain gorge views.
Explore historic Tanabe and beach walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Tanabe
Visit the seaside gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
Stop by the tanabe tourist info center next to the station to collect your dual pilgrim passport.
Dine in the historic Ajikoji alleyway
At leisure · Evening · Tanabe
Shin-Sushika serves incredible local bonnetmouth sushi caught fresh off the tanabe coast.
Overnight in Tanabe
Accommodation · Evening · Tanabe
The Ancient Pilgrimage Trail
Local bus to Takijiri-oji
Transfer · Morning · Takijiri
A short ride from Tanabe to the official start of the Nakahechi trail.
Hike the Nakahechi trail to Takahara
Excursion · Morning · Takahara
A steep but atmospheric climb through ancient forest to a mountain hamlet.
Squeeze through the 'Kiri-no-Jizoh' rock crevice, once used to test the faith of pilgrims.
Bus from Takahara to Hongu Area
Transfer · Afternoon · Hongu
Overnight in Hongu Onsen area
Accommodation · Evening · Hongu
Choose a traditional minshuku in Yunomine Onsen to soak in Japan's oldest hot spring water.
The Grand Shrine and Riverbed Hot Springs
Hike the Dainichi-goe trail segment
Excursion · Morning · Hongu
A short, rugged trail connecting Yunomine Onsen directly to Hongu.
Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha & Oyunohara
Excursion · Afternoon · Hongu
Pay respects at the grand shrine and walk to Japan's largest Torii gate.
Look for the three-legged crow Yatagarasu, the sacred guide symbol of the shrine.
Soak in Kawayu Onsen's riverbed
At leisure · Afternoon · Hongu
Dig your own hot spring bath right in the gravel riverbed of the Oto River.
Overnight in Hongu Onsen area
Accommodation · Evening · Hongu
Departure from Western Japan
Express bus from Hongu to Tanabe
Transfer · Morning · Tanabe
Travel back to the coast to connect with the main train line.
Kuroshio Express train to Osaka
Transfer · Afternoon · Kansai Airport
Speed back along the scenic coastline to Kansai Airport.
Depart from Osaka Kansai Airport
Flight · Evening · Kansai Airport
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