PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On this walk, you may have to catch a few buses with your guide and on your rest day; most of the rides are very short. This is by far the most eco-friendly and also the best way to get around the mountains. Do make sure you take sufficient change.
HOW TO GET START AND FROM END OF WALK
Travelling to the Start of the walk
This walk starts in Tanabe and ends in Nachi-san or Nachi-Katsuura. You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk (i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start in Tanabe on the first day and then onwards from your last accommodation on the last day). This is not difficult and to make it easy, we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.
By Air: The best option is to fly into Osaka and take the train from there. You can take the train direct from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kii-Tanabe (train station). Take a local train from Osaka city for a few stops and then hop on the Kii Peninsula JR West train. The train station is at the airport, and there are English-speaking staff at the ticket office. You might consider spending some time in Osaka or Kyoto. Osaka is a very interesting city and has many beautiful temples and of course Osaka Castle. In spring, it is particularly beautiful. It also has a sophisticated restaurant culture and markets that seem to go on for kilometres, literally. Kyoto is stunning and if you haven’t visited it before then we highly recommend spending some time there.
By rail: Japan has one of the best train systems in the world, so it’s very easy to catch a train to any destination in the country. An express train is the fastest way to travel to the area. Travelling in Japan on trains is a seamless experience, and it is not necessary to always pre-purchase tickets. There’s plenty of Rail staff that speak English well enough to direct you the right way and to converse with you about how to buy your ticket. We can provide more information if you wish, so please ask one of our destination consultants.
Japan Transit Planner is a great website resource to figure out when and where your train departs. It might be best to buy your train ticket on the JR train network when you first arrive in Japan so you can relax. However, the trains run often and are so efficient that you shouldn’t have any trouble just arriving 20 minutes beforehand and buying a ticket. JR passes can be a convenient and reasonable way to get around the area. There are two regional JR passes that cover the Kii Peninsula: Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass.
The journey from Osaka to Tanabe takes about 1 – 2 hours. You can take the train direct from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kii-Tanabe (train station). Take a local train to Hineno station then hop on the Kii Peninsula JR West train. The train station is at the airport, and there are English-speaking staff at the ticket office.
If you stay in Osaka, then you’ll need to catch the Subway (Osaka Metro Midosuji) to Tennoji station. The tickets can be purchased locally. From Tennoji, it’s a JR train service to Kii-Tanabe bound for Shirahama.
Travelling from the end of the walk
By rail: The train from Kii- Katsuura train station (which is a short distance from Nachisan) back to Osaka takes about 4 hours. You can also choose to go to Tokyo or anywhere else for that matter, in Japan. However, you most likely will need to travel through a major city to get there.
By Air: See above
WALKING
This 61km walk is moderate to challenging. Walks average about 17 km with 5 –9 hours of walking each day, with the longest being 24 km. The walking is over well-maintained paths, but expect each day to start with moderate elevation gains. We recommend training and having a good level of fitness to complete this walk comfortably.
This historic route has stacks of small temples (Oji) and statues to admire along the way. For much of the time, you are walking under a forest canopy which makes for mild conditions other than the height of summer.
Please refer to Gear Advice in our FAQ section for what to bring.
WEATHER
From the end of March, the temperature begins to increase. In summer, it’s quite warm and humid but still good for walking, particularly if you enjoy warmer temperatures and taking a dip in a stream.
The walk is offered in winter, but bring some warm clothes and good rain gear. The area is just as beautiful if not more and is not busy at all. Soaking in an outside onsen in the cool of the night is one of those authentic Japanese experiences you can look forward to after a big day on the track.
As walkers, we believe any time is good for walking, but spring and autumn are the most popular as the weather is ‘perfect’ for walking.
See the weather information about Osaka’s average weather at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
INFORMATION PACK
For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know that you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks from departure outlining all the fine details and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can contact us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
LUGGAGE
During the tour your luggage will be transferred ahead of you to each accommodation. We allow for 1 piece of luggage per person with a maximum weight of 20kgs. If you are staying in Japan longer and have extra luggage then this can also be transported to each accommodation at a small extra cost which can be paid for during the tour. Please advise us if you will have extra luggage with you. Please note each item can weigh up to 20kgs maximum.
David L
The change in our itinerary to move to the fujiraya was excellent. The hotel was great. Lovely onsen, dig holes in the river bed put the front for a hot foot bath, and the degustation style dinner and breakfast was amazing.
The boys in the taxis were out front early and totally up too speed with where to drop us off each morning. Finally the bento boxes were fantastic too each day.
We had an awesome time. Thanks
Marian P
Walking the Kumano Kodo is like stepping back in time, into an ancient forest. It may be gruelling at times but it is also very peaceful. The Ojis that dot the path remind you of the sacred nature of the undertaking and that it has been a pilgrimage for many hundreds of years.
AusWalks provided detailed walking notes, and transport information and the accommodation providers also helped with any issues. We met some great people and had some lovely meals.
Stephen B
Auswalk guided walk of the Kumano Kodo in early March 2025 was a great success. Waka, our Japanese guide, was attentive, knowledgeable and paved the walk according to our group needs and abilities. Her knowledge of the terrain, vegetation, religious shrines was exceptional.
Michael P
Our guide was great . Good organising skills, very informative, kept and right pace and informed us along the way . 5 / 5 stars from me!!!
Michael F
We enjoyed our afternoon and evening in Tanabe, and our accommodation was very comfortable. The briefing session was helpful and comprehensive. We found the accommodation and food provided along the walk to be outstanding. The traditional boat cruise on our rest day was excellent and we recommend it – it was very easy to get back from Shingu to Hongu. We also met lots of friendly and interesting fellow hikers during our time on the walk. Overall, the Auswalk Kumano Kodo experience was one of the highlights for us of our first visit to Japan.
Keith S
A beautiful walk, through stunning cedar forest. A well-prepared and well-marked trail. Very enriching cultural component including Japanese style accommodation and meals, and the whole Buddhist/Shinto religious overlay. The major shrines are worth the walk. We found that out hosts were very knowledgeable, and gave very firm advice.
Christopher R
We loved the Kumano Kodo walk. It was both quite hard and extraordinarily beautiful. Our accommodation in traditional ryokan and minshuku added to the whole experience.
Martina B
We were very impressed with Auswalk’s detailed information. They included special accommodation which we enjoyed very much.
Sarina T
My husband would do walks after hearing how easy this walk was carrying just a day pack and having beautiful accommodation -in Europe, Australia etc and also, the option of eating Vegan food. We haven’t been able to book tours here due to the inability to eat no meat/dairy -it’s actually so easy, but people seem to be thrown by this -your team handled it though very well.
Patricia G
A very well organized and coordinated journey.
Rachel S
As I was short on planning time I decided to use Auswalks which was a great way to take the stress out of my walk along the Kumano Kodo. The notes and instructions were more than adequate, accommodations very homely and charming and communication with the company was very easy so it supported what is a very beautiful walk.
Kim M
We’re in our late 70s, enjoyed the whole time. We walked the 1st section 14k, then 7k second day. On our rest day we also walked around hongu from accommodation. Enjoyed the next day hike. Missed the last long hike and caught 3 buses to the nachi waterfall. Heard the last long walk was harder and more of the same, our legs had worked hard over the week, so we decided the down hill would be to much. Walking notes were good. Our walk was good overall.