Kumano Kodo
Description
- Name Kumano Kodo
- Length of trail 258 km, 160 miles
- Length in days 13 days
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
258 km, divided into 23 legs
熊野古道
Kumano Kodo is the pilgrimage road that leads to Kumano Sanzan: the three grand shrines of Kumano - Hongu-taisha, Hayatama-taisha, Nachi-taisha. Kumano is located on the Kii-peninsula south of Kyoto and Osaka.
The trails (it's a collection of them) are very old, dating back to the 17th century. Often, the cobblestones you are walking on, have carried the feet of centuries of pelgrims.
The temples are located lovely in the dense forests of the Kii Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Best time is spring, when flowers bloom. Winter and autumn are good too. Summer is pretty hot.
Opinions

- Ruth Schmidt February 2020
- Rate 10
- Positive The people in the little villages are so incredibly friendly, and the scenery is spectacular (even in winter, when I went).
- Negative There is nothing to dislike about these trails, but they are very very steep and there are a lot of stairs, so be prepared for a workout.
Map
Links
Facts
- Kumano Kodo -"Ise-ji Route": What is Kumano Kodo?
Home page of this pilgrimage road. Everything you need to know.
- MT. KOYA, YOSHINO AND THE KUMANO TRAIL - Japan | Facts and Details
Several hiking possibilities on Kii peninsula are explored in this web article.
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books

United Kingdom
- Japan Is Very Wonderful
- The Guide to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and the Kumano Kodo Read more

United Kingdom
2019
- Japan's Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
- The UNESCO World Heritage trek Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Japan's Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage | Cicerone
- Guidebook to walking Japan's Kumano Kodo, a network of ancient pilgrimage trails on the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka. Covering the Nakahechi, Kohechi and Iseji trails, as well as Koyasan and the Choishimichi route, the guide has all the practical information needed, along with notes on the routes' rich history and culture. Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

Netherlands
- Wanderlust
- Explore the world one step at a time. Wanderlust presents legendary walking routes with inviting maps, practical tips, and inspiring landscape photographs.The exciting Canyon Trail in Zion-National Park, the spectacular El Caminito del Rey in Spain, the pilgrim trail on the holy Kumano Kodo in Japan or a mythical hiking path in the land of the... Read more

Belgium
- Wanderlust
- Explore the world one step at a time. Wanderlust presents legendary walking routes with inviting maps, practical tips, and inspiring landscape photographs.The exciting Canyon Trail in Zion-National Park, the spectacular El Caminito del Rey in Spain, the pilgrim trail on the holy Kumano Kodo in Japan or a mythical hiking path in the land of the... Read more

Netherlands
- Kumano Kodo - Ustrade Color
- Do you like hiking? Do you enjoy mountainous and isolated trails? Did you already walk the Camino de Santiago? Are you interested in Japanese Culture? Do you enjoy thousand years old Historical and Cultural Temples and Shrines? Then you will enjoy reading this book about the KUMANO KODO, thousand-year-old Pilgrimage trails in the Kii Mountains... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Kumano Kodo - Ustrade Color
- Do you like hiking? Do you enjoy mountainous and isolated trails? Did you already walk the Camino de Santiago? Are you interested in Japanese Culture? Do you enjoy thousand years old Historical and Cultural Temples and Shrines? Then you will enjoy reading this book about the KUMANO KODO, thousand-year-old Pilgrimage trails in the Kii Mountains... Read more

Netherlands
- Kumano Kodo - Ustrade B/W
- Do you like hiking? Do you enjoy mountainous and isolated trails? Did you already walk the Camino de Santiago? Are you interested in Japanese Culture? Do you enjoy thousand years old Historical and Cultural Temples and Shrines? Then you will enjoy rea Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Kumano Kodo - Ustrade B/W
- Do you like hiking? Do you enjoy mountainous and isolated trails? Did you already walk the Camino de Santiago? Are you interested in Japanese Culture? Do you enjoy thousand years old Historical and Cultural Temples and Shrines? Then you will enjoy rea Read more
Walking holidays
Netherlands
- Japan - Honshu
- Wandel naar de top van Mount Mitsutoge en geniet van Mount Fuji. Het merengebied rondom deze iconische berg in Japan is de opmaat voor uitdagende wandelingen in de Kiso vallei en op het Kii-schiereiland. Verken de mooiste etappes van de Nakasendo-trail, een oude handelsroute tussen Kyoto en Tokio waaraan nog steeds een paar verstilde dorpjes... Read more