OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The visit to the spiritual capital of Shingon Buddhism in Japan, the world heritage listed Koyasan, sets the tone for the rest of the walking. Koyasan, located at the top of Mount Koya is famous not only for its’ temples but also for its natural beauty. It is an ancient town that marks the end of the Kumano Kodo Kohechi route not to mention the many other excellent pilgrimage walks.
Hike along the Choishi Stupa route to Koyasan and the full Kumano Kodo Nakahechi as it cuts its way through mountains, forest, small villages and to beautiful Japanese temples brought alive by the Japanese monks that live there. In the evening relax and soak in an onsen while staying in character-filled Japanese accommodation, savouring elaborate traditional Japanese multi-course dinners and breakfasts.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KUMANO KODO NAKAHECHI:
- Take the extra time to walk both Koyasan and the 1200-year-old world heritage listed Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route at a slower pace all the way to Nachisan. Importantly you can take the options to shorten the walks each day if you wish.
- 2 night stay in a Koyasan Buddhist temple and participate (only if you wish to) in the temple morning rituals.
- 7 night stay in small traditional Japanese Ryokans or Minshukus savouring authentic Japanese dinners and breakfasts served in elegant tatami mat settings.
- Walk toward becoming a dual pilgrim by walking the Kumano Kodo (the other world heritage listed walk is the Camino de Santiago), with local 24/7 support on the ground for your safety.
- Walk pack free on well graded ancient trails, wondrous views, old forest and bathe in onsens each day.
- Walk with a company that has nearly 30 years of experience providing self-guided walks and are hands-on. We’ve taken the time to walk the Kumano Kodo trails multiple times to ensure we deliver the best possible experience.
WALK OVERVIEW
TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
10 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate to Challenging 
Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging
Distances are longer up to 20km. Steep hill sections and rough surfaces. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.PRICE FROM
$ 2855
per person twin/double share
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 610
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
ITINERARY
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Pack-free walking
-
25+ years experience
-
Customised
-
Eco Travel
- Walk the entire Kumano Kodo Nakahechi from end to end over via magnificent shrines ending at the glorious Nachi waterfall and temple complex plus substantial pilgrimage walks to Koyasan.
- Walk pack free with luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
- 7 nights stay in an intimate family run or smallish traditional Japanese lodgings with in-house onsens and 2 nights in a Buddhist temple in Koyasan.
- Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day on the walk. Plus 4 walkers lunches.
- Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days.
- Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes and maps.
- 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground.
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
OVERVIEW
In Koyasan you will stay in a Buddhist temple. This a real highlight as the feel is much different than you would normally expect at an accommodation. Please don’t be alarmed as they are very accustomed to receiving guests; most of the temples run like small hotels with staff to assist. A traditional Japanese breakfast and dinner will be supplied each day.
On the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi each night you will be staying in a lovely Ryokan or Minshuku. Ryokans are Japanese guesthouses that come in a variety of styles, from traditional wooden structures to more of a modern hybrid hotel.
Ryokans have Japanese style rooms with tatami mats, shoji sliding doors, and futons for sleeping. Few Ryokan Hotels have rooms with actual beds. The rooms may or may not have ensuites, but be prepared for a little luxury when it comes to the heated toilet seats. The bathing area is often the pride of the Ryokan, especially when they are located in an onsen area. These are usually communal and separated by the 2 genders.
Meals are elaborate affairs from a western point of view served in a traditional dining area. A traditional Kaiseki set meal is what is usually offered. Sometimes there is the option of a buffet at the larger Ryokans.
A Minshuka is a family-run accommodation that is often found in rural Japan. There is a fine line between a Minshuku and some smaller Ryokans, making it hard to distinguish between the two. Most Minshukus are very small with only a few Japanese style rooms, a bit like a Bed and Breakfast Japanese style. Staying at a Minshuku has its’ advantages as it is a good chance to meet the local people and get right up close to the Japanese culture. The atmosphere is often like that of a home with traditional meals served much like at a Ryokan but with even more intimacy. Be prepared as baths and toilets are often shared.
GENERAL INFO
AVAILABILITY
This walk is available all year round, but you may encounter some snow from December to February. Many people prefer to walk in spring to see the cherry blossoms and in autumn because of the change of seasons and the good weather.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On this walk, you will have to catch at least 3 buses; most of the rides are very short. These cannot be pre-booked and are by far the best way to get around the mountains. These bus fares are at your own cost.
ACCESS
Travelling to the start of the walk
The walks starts in Koyasan makes it way to Kii Tanabe on Day 3 and ends with a stay in Nachi-san or Kii-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 of the walk in Koyasan. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel. 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.
By plane (and rail): The easiest option is to fly into Osaka and then catch trains to Koyasan. Many airlines fly to Osaka, below are possible websites that provide several different carriers to choose from.
https://www.kayak.com/flights
www.google.com/flights
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. We can provide more comprehensive information if you wish, so please ask one of our destination consultants.
Hyperdia 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 15 minutes beforehand and buying a ticket. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs about $40.
Travelling from the end of the walk
By rail: The train from Kii-Katsuura back to Osaka takes about 4 hours and costs about $50.
By plane: See above.
WALKING
The walk is moderate to moderate to challenging with some long days if you wish. Full day walks average about 17 km with 5 –9. hours walking each day however they can be as long as 24kms (You can shorten most days). The walking is over well-maintained paths but expect each day to start with some reasonable elevation gains. All good though as the tracks do flatten out.
This is a historic route with stacks of small temples (Oji) and statues to admire along the way. For much of the time you are walking under forest canopy which makes for mild conditions other than the height of summer.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
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 outside onsen in the cool of the night is one of those real authentic Japanese experiences that you can look forward to after a big day on the track.
As walkers, we believe spring and autumn to be the best time as the weather is perfect for walking.
See the weather information about Osaka’s average weather at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy for travel overseas, as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. We want to help make insurance more affordable by offering you a discount on policies purchased through NIB Insurance. This applies to any NIB policies issued via this link. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track related questions ask Magnus, Brett or Tash who have all walked the track. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
MAP
DEPARTURE DATES
-
DATESAVAILABILITYPRICESingle OccupancyDETAILS
-
1 May 2019 - 30 Apr 2021AVAILABLEfrom
$2855
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$610
Overview
SELF GUIDED
10 DAYS
Moderate to Challenging
Book now
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The visit to the spiritual capital of Shingon Buddhism in Japan, the world heritage listed Koyasan, sets the tone for the rest of the walking. Koyasan, located at the top of Mount Koya is famous not only for its’ temples but also for its natural beauty. It is an ancient town that marks the end of the Kumano Kodo Kohechi route not to mention the many other excellent pilgrimage walks.
Hike along the Choishi Stupa route to Koyasan and the full Kumano Kodo Nakahechi as it cuts its way through mountains, forest, small villages and to beautiful Japanese temples brought alive by the Japanese monks that live there. In the evening relax and soak in an onsen while staying in character-filled Japanese accommodation, savouring elaborate traditional Japanese multi-course dinners and breakfasts.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KUMANO KODO NAKAHECHI:
- Take the extra time to walk both Koyasan and the 1200-year-old world heritage listed Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route at a slower pace all the way to Nachisan. Importantly you can take the options to shorten the walks each day if you wish.
- 2 night stay in a Koyasan Buddhist temple and participate (only if you wish to) in the temple morning rituals.
- 7 night stay in small traditional Japanese Ryokans or Minshukus savouring authentic Japanese dinners and breakfasts served in elegant tatami mat settings.
- Walk toward becoming a dual pilgrim by walking the Kumano Kodo (the other world heritage listed walk is the Camino de Santiago), with local 24/7 support on the ground for your safety.
- Walk pack free on well graded ancient trails, wondrous views, old forest and bathe in onsens each day.
- Walk with a company that has nearly 30 years of experience providing self-guided walks and are hands-on. We’ve taken the time to walk the Kumano Kodo trails multiple times to ensure we deliver the best possible experience.
WALK OVERVIEW
TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
10 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate to Challenging
Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging
Distances are longer up to 20km. Steep hill sections and rough surfaces. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.PRICE FROM
$ 2855
per person twin/double share
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 610
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
Itinerary
ITINERARY
What’s Included
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Pack-free walking
-
25+ years experience
-
Customised
-
Eco Travel
- Walk the entire Kumano Kodo Nakahechi from end to end over via magnificent shrines ending at the glorious Nachi waterfall and temple complex plus substantial pilgrimage walks to Koyasan.
- Walk pack free with luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
- 7 nights stay in an intimate family run or smallish traditional Japanese lodgings with in-house onsens and 2 nights in a Buddhist temple in Koyasan.
- Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day on the walk. Plus 4 walkers lunches.
- Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days.
- Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes and maps.
- 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground.
Accommodation & Dining
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
OVERVIEW
In Koyasan you will stay in a Buddhist temple. This a real highlight as the feel is much different than you would normally expect at an accommodation. Please don’t be alarmed as they are very accustomed to receiving guests; most of the temples run like small hotels with staff to assist. A traditional Japanese breakfast and dinner will be supplied each day.
On the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi each night you will be staying in a lovely Ryokan or Minshuku. Ryokans are Japanese guesthouses that come in a variety of styles, from traditional wooden structures to more of a modern hybrid hotel.
Ryokans have Japanese style rooms with tatami mats, shoji sliding doors, and futons for sleeping. Few Ryokan Hotels have rooms with actual beds. The rooms may or may not have ensuites, but be prepared for a little luxury when it comes to the heated toilet seats. The bathing area is often the pride of the Ryokan, especially when they are located in an onsen area. These are usually communal and separated by the 2 genders.
Meals are elaborate affairs from a western point of view served in a traditional dining area. A traditional Kaiseki set meal is what is usually offered. Sometimes there is the option of a buffet at the larger Ryokans.
A Minshuka is a family-run accommodation that is often found in rural Japan. There is a fine line between a Minshuku and some smaller Ryokans, making it hard to distinguish between the two. Most Minshukus are very small with only a few Japanese style rooms, a bit like a Bed and Breakfast Japanese style. Staying at a Minshuku has its’ advantages as it is a good chance to meet the local people and get right up close to the Japanese culture. The atmosphere is often like that of a home with traditional meals served much like at a Ryokan but with even more intimacy. Be prepared as baths and toilets are often shared.
General Info
GENERAL INFO
AVAILABILITY
This walk is available all year round, but you may encounter some snow from December to February. Many people prefer to walk in spring to see the cherry blossoms and in autumn because of the change of seasons and the good weather.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On this walk, you will have to catch at least 3 buses; most of the rides are very short. These cannot be pre-booked and are by far the best way to get around the mountains. These bus fares are at your own cost.
ACCESS
Travelling to the start of the walk
The walks starts in Koyasan makes it way to Kii Tanabe on Day 3 and ends with a stay in Nachi-san or Kii-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 of the walk in Koyasan. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel. 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.
By plane (and rail): The easiest option is to fly into Osaka and then catch trains to Koyasan. Many airlines fly to Osaka, below are possible websites that provide several different carriers to choose from.
https://www.kayak.com/flights
www.google.com/flights
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. We can provide more comprehensive information if you wish, so please ask one of our destination consultants.
Hyperdia 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 15 minutes beforehand and buying a ticket. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs about $40.
Travelling from the end of the walk
By rail: The train from Kii-Katsuura back to Osaka takes about 4 hours and costs about $50.
By plane: See above.
WALKING
The walk is moderate to moderate to challenging with some long days if you wish. Full day walks average about 17 km with 5 –9. hours walking each day however they can be as long as 24kms (You can shorten most days). The walking is over well-maintained paths but expect each day to start with some reasonable elevation gains. All good though as the tracks do flatten out.
This is a historic route with stacks of small temples (Oji) and statues to admire along the way. For much of the time you are walking under forest canopy which makes for mild conditions other than the height of summer.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
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 outside onsen in the cool of the night is one of those real authentic Japanese experiences that you can look forward to after a big day on the track.
As walkers, we believe spring and autumn to be the best time as the weather is perfect for walking.
See the weather information about Osaka’s average weather at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy for travel overseas, as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. We want to help make insurance more affordable by offering you a discount on policies purchased through NIB Insurance. This applies to any NIB policies issued via this link. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track related questions ask Magnus, Brett or Tash who have all walked the track. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
Map
There are no any content available.
MAP
Departure Dates
DEPARTURE DATES
-
DATESAVAILABILITYPRICESingle OccupancyDETAILS
-
1 May 2019 - 30 Apr 2021AVAILABLEfrom
$2855
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$610
blog
ENQUIRE NOW
If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.