AD Japan Kumano Kodo Hiking - Comfort Version 5D

In the Heian Period, ancient Japanese, both nobles and commoners, made pilgrimages from Kyoto or their own homes to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, and then took a boat to reach the Sotama Taisha Shrine. Like the Route of Santiago, there is more than one Kumano Kodo, and this time we focus on the Nakabe Road, an ancient road paved with mossy stone steps in the midst of greenery, encircling the three mountains of Kumano, the pilgrimage path of worship. It boasts historical monuments, stone monuments and nature's bounty of hot springs and waterfalls. The old path is intertwined and leads to various important Buddhist shrines, forming a unique network of pilgrimage paths covering the southern area of the Kii Peninsula and southern Osaka, with picturesque scenery of green mountains and green water along the way.

D1: China - Kansai International Airport - Kii-Tanabe
For your convenience and to ensure the smooth progress of your trip, we suggest that you choose a flight to arrive at Kansai international airport in the afternoon.Then take JR train to Kii-tanabe,where our team leader will greet you. (If you have any questions about purchasing JR tickets, please contact the staff for assistance.)

In the evening, experience the traditional food of the local countryside. To tasting the fresh seafood, the scattered izakaya will be the perfect place to create a tipsy night.Let's start a cultural journey of walking in Japan. We will not serve dinner after 19:30, please understand.

Additional option: Tea Ceremony

Please note: if you choose tea Ceremony , please fly to Kansai airport before 14:00. Due to time schedule and other difficulties, the tea Ceremony cannot be adjusted to another date.
Accommodation : HOTEL KII TANABE (or similar)
Meal : (On Own); Supper (Welcome Dinner)
- Reference Hotel Pictures
D2: Kii-Tanabe - Chikatsuyu-oji - Nonaka
After breakfast, we will arrive at Takijiri-oji by bus for a day's trekking. Pass through the Takahara plateau known as the "village of mist", then head to Gyubadoji, the iconic symbol on the middle side of the Kumano kodo, and then continue on to chikatsuyu-oji, where you will finish your first day of trekking.
Transport : Fengtian (0.5-1 hour)
Accommodation : (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Hotel Restaruant)
Trekking Distance : 14 kilometers
Trekking Time : 7-8 hours
Altitude Gains & Losses : +900／-800 meters
- Reference Hotel Pictures
D3: Nonaka - hosshinmon-oji - Kawayu Onsen
After breakfast in the homestay we will walk to Hosshinmon-oji. This is one of the important oji on the way. The oji is the site of Shinto shrine along the way. Since Heian Period in Japan, oji has served as a Courier station and a landmark to guide the direction on the pilgrimage. Finally, we drove to the hot spring hotel and had a rest.
Transport : Public Bus (0.5-1 hour)
Accommodation : MIDORIYA (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Hotel Restaruant)
Trekking Distance : 12 kilometers
Trekking Time : 5-6 hours
Altitude Gains & Losses : ＋600／－300 meters
- Reference Hotel Pictures
D4: Kawayu Onsen - Kumano Hongu Taisha - Hayatama Taisha - Katsuura
Continue to trekking to Kumano Hongu Taisha. It is one of the most important shrines in Japan and is known as a wonder of wooden structures. It is said to symbolize the intersection between the earthly world and the divine world, and has the largest Torii in the world. If you have completed the Santiago pilgrimage, don't forget to bring your certificate and we will collect your double pilgrimage certificate in Hongu Taisha. Arrive at the ferry in the afternoon and take the traditional boat to the Hayatama Taisha (The boat t is only available from the end of march to November every year, and it is possible to stop the ship in dry season, once we stop the ship, we will use the bus to go). Finally, we took the train to Kii Katsuura, which is also a hot spring resort.
Transport : Fengtian (0.5 hour), Public Bus (1-1.5 hours)
Accommodation : 越之湯Koshinoyu (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Hotel Restaruant)
Trekking Distance : 7 kilometers
Trekking Time : 2-3 hours
Altitude Gains & Losses : ＋360/－500 meters
- Reference Hotel Pictures
D5: Katsuura - Nachi Taisha - Katsuura; Departure or Extension Program
If we get up early, we can also visit the real fish market near the pork, where tuna caught in the nearby will be auctioned, and we will have a chance to witness the spectacular event (Not available on closed days or when catches are low). Head to Nachi Taisha from Daimonzaka, walk through dense forests and rugged paths.After visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and seiganto-ji ,we finished our half-day tour at Nachi falls. Let Japan's first waterfall to complete a wonderful trekking.

According to the flight situation, buy ceremony or leave by JR train, if you have enough time，you can go to Koyasan to participate in 2-day meditation journey. Please let us know in advance if you need to book an extended itinerary or stay in Kii Katsuura for another night.

It is highly recommended that you book flight after 18:00 PM, because the return flight on JR train will take 4 hours.
Accommodation : Own arrangement
Meal : Breakfast
Trekking Distance : 4 kilometers
Trekking Time : 1-2 hours
Altitude Gains & Losses : ＋200 meters