Walk the Kumano Kodo
A thousand years of pilgrimage through cedar forest, mountain passes and hot spring villages.
A guide to walking the Kumano Kodo, Japan's sacred pilgrimage trail
The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes threading through the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka. For more than a thousand years, emperors, monks and ordinary walkers have followed these stone-paved paths to the three grand shrines of Kumano — Hongu, Hayatama and Nachi.
Today it remains a walk unlike any other: cedar forest and mist, moss-covered shrines and roadside statues, hot spring villages where you soak away the day's climb, and guesthouse dinners that are a highlight in themselves. It is one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world on the UNESCO World Heritage list, twinned with the Camino de Santiago.
This site is written and maintained by RAW Travel, who have sent more walkers to the Kumano Kodo than any other operator. Use it to plan your own trek — or let us arrange everything for you.
Ancient pilgrimage routes
A network of trails across the Kii Peninsula, walked for over 1,000 years and UNESCO World Heritage listed alongside Spain's Camino de Santiago.
Traditional guesthouses
Ryokans and minshukus with tatami rooms, hot spring bathing and warm family hospitality. Beds are limited, so book well ahead.
Regional Japanese food
Multi-course dinners of local produce and river fish, and the Buddhist vegetarian cuisine of Koyasan's temple lodgings.
Easy to reach
Kansai International Airport, Japan's excellent rail network and a short local bus put you on the trailhead within hours.
Choose your Kumano Kodo trail
Each of the historic pilgrimage routes has its own character, length and level of difficulty.
Nakahechi
The most walked and best supported route, running inland from Takijiri-oji over the mountains to Kumano Hongu Taisha, then on to Nachi.
- Distance
- 68 km
- Duration
- 4–5 walking days
- Grade
- Strenuous
Kohechi
A demanding north–south crossing from Koyasan to Hongu with three high passes and very few facilities. For strong, experienced walkers.
- Distance
- Approx. 70 km
- Duration
- 3–4 walking days
- Grade
- Very strenuous
Iseji
Links Ise Jingu with Kumano along the eastern coast, with cobbled passes, sea views and terraced rice fields.
- Distance
- Approx. 170 km
- Duration
- Section walks
- Grade
- Moderate
Ohechi
The quiet coastal route between Tanabe and Nachi, with ocean panoramas from Tonda-zaka and Nagai-zaka.
- Distance
- Approx. 90 km
- Duration
- Section walks
- Grade
- Moderate
Everything you need to know before you go
Practical, first-hand information gathered over a decade of walking and running trips on the Kumano Kodo.
The Kumano Kodo routes
Nakahechi, Kohechi, Iseji and Ohechi — distances, difficulty, stages and maps for each of the ancient pilgrimage trails.
Kumano Sanzan shrines
The three grand shrines of Hongu, Hayatama and Nachi, plus Koyasan — the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage.
Kumano Kodo accommodation
Traditional ryokans and minshukus with authentic Japanese hospitality, onsen bathing and great regional food. Numbers are limited, so book early.
Kumano Kodo food
Fresh regional produce, river fish and the vegetarian temple cuisine of Koyasan — walking the Kumano Kodo is also an exploration of tastes.
Getting to the trailhead
Kansai International, Japan's rail network, regional rail passes and the local buses that link the trail towns.
Practical considerations
When to walk, what the trail is like, what gear to bring and the cultural pointers that make the trek safe and enjoyable.
Self-guided Kumano Kodo tours, on demand
Hand-picked guesthouses, luggage transfers, track notes, our navigation app and Japanese staff on the ground.
Kumano Kodo trail
Full self guided Kumano Kodo walks and tours along the Nakahechi route inc. Grand Shrines. Flexible itenaries with the experts at RAW Travel.
Tour details
Kumano Kodo, Koyasan & Kyoto
Walking and trekking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. Information on self guided Kumano Kodo, Koyasan & Kyoto tours with custom and flexible itinerary options.
Tour details
Kumano Highlights
Let RAW Travel help you explore Japan's 1200 year old Pilgrimage walk, the Kumano Kodo trail through rugged mountains
Tour detailsI thoroughly enjoyed the walk, the lodgings, the food... the whole experience was great! First multi day walk on my own, enjoyable and very satisfying. The 2nd night's accommodation was terrific, the host couple were wonderful.
Jennifer Campbell — November 2025
Ready to walk the Kumano Kodo?
RAW Travel has sent more walkers to the Kumano Kodo than any other operator, with our own Japanese staff on the ground, hand-picked guesthouses, luggage transfers and detailed track notes.