Walk the Kumano Kodo

Embark on an incredibly rewarding hike through the Kii Peninsula Mountains along an ancient pilgrimage trail known as Kumano Kodo. The “Kodo” (old ways) are a key part of the region’s World Heritage destination and have been in use for 1,000 years. The pilgrimage routes were developed as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the centre of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, collectively known as Kumano Sanzan.The Kii Peninsula points south away from Kyoto and Osaka and is one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan, despite its proximity to these great cities. From the 11th century, successive emperors and their families made the long and difficult pilgrimage to Kumano from Kyoto. Our trip focuses on the Nakahechi-do, which weaves its way through the forested mountains and small villages to the Grand Shrine of Hongu, before finishing near the Pacific Ocean at Nachi Grand Shrine.Explore the fascinating city of Kyoto before beginning your Kumano Kodo journey and end with two nights in Osaka. Famous for its beautifully built Buddhist temples and traditional teahouses, Kyoto is a great introduction to your Japanese adventure. From here, you can visit the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and tranquil gardens.Osaka is known as the food capital of western Japan, inheriting its name in part from the fantastic Dotonbori area in the south of the city. Countless restaurants line the Dotonbori-gawa River offering dinner with views. The city is also home to Osaka-jo – a symbolic castle, re-built to its grand size after repeated fires.