Kumano Kodou 2021 Trip Outline

Table of Content

Overview

Day

What

Hotel

Day 1

Flying in & spending the night

Day 2

Bus + Hiking --> Takahara

Day 3

Hike --> Chikatsuyu

Day 4

Bus + Hike --> Yunomine Onsen

Day 5

Boat + Bus --> Shirahama City

Day 6

Beach at Shirahama City

Day 7

Beach at Shirahama City

Day 8

Fly back

Plane Tickets

Tokyo --> SHM

Mon, May 24, 16:30 --> 17:40

SHM --> Tokyo

Mon, May 31, 09:20 --> 10:25

Day 1: Flying to Shirahama City

Flight

Haneda -> Nanki-Shirahama (SHM) Airport/ 南紀白浜空港
- 1 hr 10 min flight
- 23,000 per person
- 130*2

Overnight

Option 1: Asso Station/ 朝来駅 area
Option 2: Kii-Tanabe Station/ 紀伊田辺駅 area
- DJANGO

Day 2: Bus + Hiking; Shirahama City to Takahara Village

Bus

Naki-Shirahama --> Takijiri/ 滝尻 Bus stop
1.5 ~ 2 hour bus
91 Rapid (Kumano Kodo) for Shingu Station
Kumano Kodo Information Center/ 熊野古道館

Hiking: Takijiri-Oji to Takahara

Distance: ~4 km
Time: 2~3 hr
Elevation Gain: ~430 m
Elevation Loss: ~200 m
Short but steep uphill walk from Takijiri to the ridge top settlement of Takahara.
The trailhead is located behind the Takijiri-oji shrine pavilion.
The trail starts off with a challenging grade so set a slow, easy pace, watching your steps on the rocks and roots.

Overnight: Takahara Village

Day 3: Hiking; Takahara to Chikatsuyu

Hiking: Takahara to Chikatsuyu

TAKAHARA
Chikatsuyu
Distance: ~10 km
Time: 4~6 hr
Elevation Gain: ~590 m
Elevation Loss: ~640 m

Rest stop on Kumano/ 牛馬童子像休憩所

This walk continues into the forested mountains east of Takahara climbing up and over ridges into the next watershed, descending into the village of Chikatsuyu.

NOTE: The Michi-no-Eki rest area near numbered signpost 23 sells drinks, snacks, and simple meals.

Overnight: Chikatsuyu Village

Kumano Travel: Minshuku Momiji-no-Sato
Google Maps: Guest House Minshuku Momiji-no-Sato

Day 4: Hiking + Bus; Chikatsuyu to Hongu Taisha

Hike: Chikatsuyu to Kumano Hongu Taisha

There are 3x options for the hike!
For detailed comparison: Walk Options PDF
Bus Timetable #1

Overnight: Yunomine Onsen

Kumano Travel: Minshuku Kuraya
Google Maps: Minshuku Kuraya

Option 1: Full Walk; 25 km

Distance: ~25 km
Time: 9~12 hr
Elevation Gain: ~1210 m
Elevation Loss: ~1470 m

This is a challenging full day walk with many climbs and descents, finishing at the Kumano Hongu Taisha. ⚠️ Start early if attempting the full walk.

Option 2: Intermediate Walk; 17 km

Bus: Chikatsuyu to Doyukawa-Bashi

Doyukawa-Bashi/ 道湯川橋 Bus Stop
Ryujin Bus
Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
Arrive: 7:33 Doyukawa-bashi
Price: 280 yen

Hike: Doyukawa-Bashi to Hongu Taisha

Hongu Taisha
Distance: ~17 km
Time: 6~9 hr
Elevation Gain: ~770 m
Elevation Loss: ~1170 m

Option 3: Highlight Walk; 7.5 km

Bus: Chikatsuyu to Hosshinmon-oji

Hosshinmon-oji/ 発心門王子 Bus Stop
Ryujin Bus
Depart: 7:23 Chikatsuyu-oji
Arrive: 8:37 Hosshinmon-oji
Price: 960 yen

Hike Part 1: Hosshinmon-Oji to Hongu Taisha

Distance: ~7.5 km
Time: 2~3 hr
Elevation Gain: ~190 m
Elevation Loss: ~460 m

The section from Hosshinmon-oji and Hongu is popular with a diversity of forested trail and settlement scenery. This a good option to give more time to experience the shrines and sites in Hongu. Take a local bus from Chikatsuyu-oji to Hosshimon-oji.

Hike Part 2: Hongu to Yunomine Onsen