How difficult is the Kumano Kodo?
Difficulty level: Difficult. This route is not recommended for novice hikers as parts of the trail run along high mountain ridges with rough and uneven paths underfoot. As you walk the trail, visit the three sacred shrines in Wakayama including the Okunoin Temple, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and the Kongobuji Temple!
How much does the Kumano Kodo cost?
How much does it cost to hike the Kumano Kodo on a budget? Organised tours (including the “self-guided” ones) will often cost well beyond $2,000. When you organise your trip independently, you need to budget for far less.
Where is the Kumano Kodo trail?
Wakayama
The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage trail in the mountains of Wakayama (south of Kyoto) where you can walk with a light pack from guesthouse to guesthouse for a few days. It’s a brilliant way to experience Japan’s rural side and ancient religious traditions.
Which is better Kumano Kodo or Nakasendo?
The Nakasendo Way is (for most people) an easier hike than the more rugged Kumano Kodo. This ancient highway was established over 400 years ago to connect the two major cities of the time – Kyoto and Tokyo. This route is considered more of a cultural walk through old Japan than a strenuous hike.
How old is the Kumano Kodo?
1000 years
The pilgrimage routes to Wakayama’s Kumano Sanzan shrines in the Kii Mountains, known as the Kumano Kodo, is more than a heritage site with over 1000 years of history. It is home to the tale of Japan’s birth as a nation.
How do I get to Kumano Kodo?
How to get to Kumano. Kumano is easily accessible from many major cities, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Nagoya, as well as the Kansai International Airport, using the extensive rail and bus systems. When using the Shinkansen trains, the entire trip will be covered by your Japan Rail Pass.
How long does it take to walk the Nakasendo?
2-3 hours
The circular walk is 7km / 4.3 miles with 632m / 2,075 feet of ascent, 637m / 2,090 feet of descent and takes 2-3 hours. You can take this walk in the morning, before heading onwards to Yabuhara. After breakfast, walk the short distance to the small town of Kiso-Hirasawa, famous for its lacquerware.
Can you walk the entire Nakasendo way?
The Nakasendo Way is a fully-guided walking tour between the Nakasendo’s beginning in Kyoto and its end in Edo, modern-day Tokyo. Walk Japan’s pioneering walking tour of Japan, the Nakasendo Way provides a unique, intimate experience of Japan and its people.
What religion is Kumano Shrine?
A Kumano shrine (熊野神社, Kumano Jinja) is a type of Shinto shrine which enshrines the three Kumano mountains: Hongū, Shingū, and Nachi (Kumano Gongen (熊野権現)).
How do you get from Kumano Kodo to Tokyo?
The Kumano Kodo is quite a distance from Tokyo (about six hours by various train combinations), so your best bet is to spend the night before in Osaka, and take the ~2-hour train ride from Tennoji Station early in the morning.
What is the symbol of the Kumano Kodo?
A mythical three-legged crow is the symbol of the Kumano Kodo, as well as Japan’s national soccer team Since its earliest days, the Kumano region has been regarded as a spiritually powerful area where gods inhabit the very fabric of the natural landscape.
Where is the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Japan?
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route is one of the world’s premier spiritual roads. Winding through the mountains of Honshu’s Kii Peninsula, an area straddling Wakayama, Nara, Osaka and Mie prefectures, it’s been walked by pilgrims on their quest for enlightenment for over a millennium.
How to get to Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Japan?
Access Kumano Hayatama Taisha via a 15-minute walk from JR Shingu Station, also on the Kisei Mainline. For Kumano Hongu Taisha, it is a two-hour bus ride from JR Kii-Tanabe Station on the Kisei Mainline, to Hongu-Taisha-Mae.
How to get to Kumano Shrine in Japan?
To access Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Seigantoji temple, a bus from Kii-Katsuura Station on the Kisei Mainline to Nachi-no-Taki-mae takes 30 minutes. Access Kumano Hayatama Taisha via a 15-minute walk from JR Shingu Station, also on the Kisei Mainline.