




Join certified mountain guide Hama on a thrilling 4-day Kumano Kodo trekking tour in Japan! Discover sacred sites and stunning landscapes on an unforgettable adventure!
Private
4 Days
Apr - Jun, Oct, Nov
Very high
Advanced
Explore the Kohechi Trail—a remote and challenging route of the Kumano Kodo that links the sacred sites of Koyasan and Kumano Hongu through deep forests, quiet villages, and mountain passes. Ideal for experienced hikers seeking solitude and spiritual depth
The Kumano Kodo is a UNESCO world heritage pilgrimage route that leads to the awe-inspiring Kumano Hongu Shrine. This ancient Shinto shrine is located in the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Pilgrims have walked to this shrine for over 1,000 years. On this trekking tour in Japan, we will get the chance to go down this route and explore the country’s natural beauty as well as some of its most sacred sites.
The entire trip will take place in rural Japan. Therefore, we will enjoy staying in very traditional and simple Ryokan inns where we will have the chance to try delicious local cuisine. Additionally, many of these inns also have in-house onsen hot springs, perfect for recovering after a long day outdoors. Our tour will combine both hiking and sightseeing. Please keep in mind that one of our tour days will be spent entirely hiking, therefore, you will need a good fitness level.
So, are you ready to discover some of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes and sacred places? Then book your place now and join us on this unique 4-day Kumano Kodo trekking adventure!
Meeting point
Distance: 17.2 km / 10.7 miles Elevation Gain: 690 m / 2,260 ft Elevation Loss: 840 m / 2,755 ft Hiking Time: ~6 hours
09:00 Meet your guide at the Koyasan Tourist Information Center 15:00 Arrive at Kawarabiso Lodge in Omata 18:00 Dinner (wild boar hotpot) Optional Hot Spring Visit: Hotel Nosegawa (10 minutes by bicycle or shuttle)
Bath Fee: ¥600 Towel Rental: ¥300 Lodging Cost: ¥10,500 per person Includes dinner, breakfast, and bento lunch
Distance: 12.9 km / 8.0 miles Elevation Gain: 740 m / 2,430 ft Elevation Loss: 1,090 m / 3,575 ft Hiking Time: ~5.5 hours
08:00 Depart after breakfast 10:45 Pass through Obako Path 13:15 Reach trailhead for Mt. Obako 14:00 Check in at Minshuku Yamamoto, a family-run farmhouse inn 17:30 Dinner Lodging Cost: ¥9,500 per person Includes dinner, breakfast, and bento lunch
Distance: 18.9 km / 11.7 miles Elevation Gain: 815 m / 2,670 ft Elevation Loss: 1,050 m / 3,445 ft Hiking Time: ~7 hours
08:00 Departure 10:15 Cross Miura Pass at 1,000 m / 3,280 ft 15:00 Arrive at Hotel Subaru, a mountain resort with hot spring Lodging Cost: ¥17,000–¥40,000 per person Includes dinner and breakfast; price varies by room type and availability
Distance: 15.0 km / 9.3 miles Elevation Gain: 1,075 m / 3,527 ft Elevation Loss: 1,170 m / 3,839 ft Hiking Time: ~7 hours
07:30 Departure 08:30 Pass through Hatenashi Village 10:20 Cross Hatenashi Pass at 1,040 m / 3,400 ft 13:20 Visit Sangenjaya Tea House Ruins 14:10 Arrive at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and explore Oyunohara 15:10 End of the hike
Accommodation
Ryokan (Japanese inn) or Hotel
Disclaimer
To ensure safety and enjoyment on this challenging route, participants must meet the following prerequisites:
This helps assess physical readiness for the Kohechi Trail Please note that the Kohechi Route is not suitable for beginners or casual walkers. It includes steep ascents and descents, remote terrain, and limited access to facilities.
Water bottle
Backpack
Poles
Sunglasses
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
4.5
(36)
Guide Agency
Languages
English | Japanese
Certificates
JMGA | UIMLA
Natalie
Hama doesn’t just show you Japan’s trails — he brings them to life. An incredible guide with genuine warmth, deep local knowledge, and an eye for the moments that make a trip memorable
Bethany
We had such an incredible experience hiking the Japanese Alps on our honeymoon and we are so thankful to Hama for making it extra special for us. Hama changed the route based on our experience, which opened up new challenges and beautiful scenery for us which we are grateful for. He is a very warm, kind and interesting person and we enjoyed sharing stories and cultural exchanges. He helped us hire equipment, booked mountain huts, and also stopped by an onsen after the hike. He went out of his way to make it as smooth as possible. It was invaluable to have his expertise and we felt very safe despite the snowy conditions. He has given us the confidence to go on more hiking trips. We absolutely loved his company. His love for Japan's incredible landscape shines through, and we cannot recommend him more highly as a guide.
Hayley
Hama was a wonderful guide for our 2-day Kumano Kodo trip. He was attentive to our needs and desires, and flexible to what we wanted from the trip. Hama speaks English well and was very knowledgeable about many topics, which made the experience much richer. The cultural exchange was great as we stayed at an onsen. The scenery and area are really spectacular and worth the long trip to get there.
Amelia
Hama is truly exceptional. He is patient, deeply knowledgeable, and remarkably well organized. Every aspect of the trip was thoughtfully planned and everything he arranged was of the highest quality. His knowledge of the trail is extraordinary. Every fact and story he shared added color and meaning to the journey in a way I never could have experienced alone. As a solo female traveler and a first-time through-hiker, finding a guide I could genuinely trust was incredibly important to me. Hama’s healthcare background, his love of hiking, and his friendly demeanor immediately gave me confidence. I felt completely safe in his care. I was also deeply grateful for the accommodations he arranged; many required a Japanese speaker to book, and I would not have been able to experience these authentic places on my own. Although this was my fifth trip to Japan, it felt like I was experiencing the country in an entirely new and more immersive way. On the final day, when I was exhausted and questioning whether I could continue, Hama struck the perfect balance between setting realistic expectations and encouraging me to keep going. His steady support made all the difference and I truly don’t think I could have completed the journey without him. I’m so grateful for his guidance! He made the experience not only seamless, but profoundly meaningful. I hope I can travel again with Hama in the future!
Chloe
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