Hiking 50 Miles in Japan | Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) | Nakahechi Route in 4 days

The Kumano Kodo ( 熊野古道 ) is an ancient trail in Japan that connects the Kumano Sanzan: Kumano Hongo Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. The Nakahechi route, which we hiked, traverses the Kii Tanabe Peninsula, and covers over 70km.
Some of our favorite parts of the journey were our welcoming hosts, refreshing Onsen (hotsprings) in Yunomine, the local food, hikers from around the world (the two we spent the most time with were traveling from Australia!), and the calming nature of the hike. Unlike the Rufugios we have stayed at on other adventures, the lodging on Kumano Kodo is typically hosts who let travelers stay with them for the evening.
Some tips for your journey:
Takeaways:
💮 DO carry a stamp book and collect as many as you can. We always had something to look forward to as we walked.
🛖DO book your huts in advanced. This gave us peace of mind knowing we had a secure place to sleep each night.
💶DO bring cash as some places don’t accept cards.
🧭DON’T worry about getting lost. Grab one of the trail maps available at the guest houses, or download a gpx of the trail/have a map. It is pretty well signed throughout but always best to have this handy.
🗣️DO learn some basic Japanese.
🍝DONT bring a lot of snacks, we didn’t eat one protein bar. Unless you have a specific diet to follow, there are stops sprinkled along the trail to stop at for food.
🎒DONT overpack, you can wash & rewear clothes.
🖤 DONT rush. Take your time, soak it all in. Talk with other people at the houses and on the trail.
Here are the places we stayed along our pilgrimage:
1. Nagano Guest House - we stayed here after taking the train to Kii Tanabe, the day before our hike. Our host, Simon, picked us up from the station and brought us to his farming village, then drove us to the start of the trail the next day! It was the perfect start to our hike.
2. Old Trail Guest Home. The food here was exquisite! The hosts were a couple, one from France and one from Japan, who cooked and shared their entire home with us. Even if you're not staying the night here, stop by for some fresh European cuisine (even pizza)!
3. Iseya, Yunomine - this was a huge inn, with an 24 hour Onsen for the guests! Soaking in the hot springs after a long day of hiking was the perfect ending to the day.
4. Shingu Air BnB. We weren't able to get lodging in Koguchi, so we instead took bus from the trails end to Shingu, which is a fisherman's town on the coast. We enjoyed some of the best sushi in the world just next to our hostel-style air bnb. Also, staying in Shingu allowed us to visit the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three famous shrines of the Kumano Kodo.
5. Bonus - After our hike we stayed at Jegumu, an Air BnB on a farm with two lovely hosts Chizuru and Shinya. After the long four days of hiking, this was the perfect way to unwind and recharge, and we enjoyed farm grown meal prepared by Chizuru, as well as an amazing breakfast with fresh honey from the beehive just outside. Definitely stay at Jegumu after your hike!
#kumanokodo #virtualtour #nakahechi #dualpilgrim #japan #pilgrimage #worldheritge #spirituality #trekking #hiking #walkjapan

[@irinaportugez927]

Very beautiful! Thank you. And it's nice to look at you, you radiate kindness and beauty.

[@chasethealberts]

Thanks for watching!