Japan

Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo Way

There is a Japan that exists far away from the modern era, where you can walk a 1000-year-old trail past ancient shrines, through thick forests and with endless mountain vistas. At the end of each day, soak in an onsen hot bath while you relive the day’s experiences and await a multi-course feast of delicious Japanese cuisine. That is the Kumano Kodo.

The Nakasendo Way is an ideal introduction to walking off-the-beaten-track in Japan. Step into a world of rural villages and delightful old post towns. Enjoy the stone paths and wooden buildings of a bygone era at the same time as you explore life in modern Japan.

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Japan

10 Days

Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo in Depth with Mike Rhodes

Challenging - Strenuous Group Guided
  • Hike the full length of the Nakahechi route
  • Gain a great understanding of this ancient pilgrimage trail
  • Be enlightened by the experience, enthusiasm and knowledge of your local guide Mike Rhodes
from

$4,750.00

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7 Days

Kumano Kodo

The 7 Day Trail – Kumano Kodo

Challenging - Strenuous Self-Guided
  • Walk the full length of the Nakahechi trail
  • Stay in traditional guesthouses
  • Gain insights into life in rural Japan and the spiritual history
  • Enjoy delicious handmade Japanese food with fresh local ingredients
from

$2,450.00

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10 Days

Kumano Kodo

The Extended Trip – Kumano Kodo

Self-Guided Strenuous
  • Hike the full length of the Nakahechi route
  • Enjoy a day on the challenging Kohechi route
  • Journey along the Kumano-gawa river in a traditional boat
  • Experience the life of a monk by staying in a Buddhist monastery
from

$3,595.00

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8 Days

Kumano Kodo

The Autumn Trip – Kumano Kodo

Challenging - Strenuous Group Self Guided
  • Stay in traditional guesthouses
  • Beautiful, changing colours are a highlight for people on this trek
  • Enjoy delicious handmade Japanese food with fresh local ingredients
  • A great option for solo travellers or enjoy the company and support of others
from

$2,790.00

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6 Days

Kumano Kodo

The Highlights Trip – Kumano Kodo

Moderate - Challenging Self-Guided
  • Stay in traditional minshuku and ryokan accommodation
  • Experience a traditional boat ride along the Kumano-gawa river 
  • Savour delicious Japanese food using fresh local ingredients
  • Visit all 3 grand shrines, collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan
from

$2,190.00

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8 Days

Kumano Kodo

The Spring Trip – Kumano Kodo

Challenging - Strenuous Group Self Guided
  • A great option for solo travellers
  • Stay in traditional guesthouses
  • Spring is a wonderful time to hike the Nakahechi Trail
  • Enjoy delicious handmade Japanese food with fresh local ingredients
from

$2,790.00

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8 Days

Kumano Kodo

The Dual Pilgrim Trip – Kumano Kodo

Challenging - Strenuous Group Self Guided
  • Participate in a Purification ceremony
  • Experience Kumano Hongu Taisha Spring Festival
  • Annual festival held in Hongu to honour the Kumano Deities
  • Receive a commemorative Dual Pilgrim shirt and Tenegui
from

$2,950.00

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9 Days

Kumano Kodo

Koyasan and Kumano Kodo

Challenging - Strenuous Self-Guided
  • Beautiful nature walking through rugged, forested mountains, quiet rural valleys and alongside rivers.
  • Visit temples, shrines and traditional gardens
  • Stay at a Japanese Buddhist temple
  • Learn about traditional daily rituals, join a spiritual ceremony
from

$3,195.00

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12 Days

Kumano Kodo

Nakahechi & Kohechi trip – Kumano Kodo

Self-Guided Strenuous
  • Challenging hike through the rugged forested mountains
  • Walk the full length of both the Nakahechi and Kohechi routes
  • Journey along the Kumano-gawa river in a traditional boat
  • Stay in a Buddhist monastery in Koyasan
from

$4,355.00

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7 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Self-Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way

Moderate - Challenging Self-Guided
  • A journey through the heart of Japan
  • Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
  • Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
from

$3,150.00

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8 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Group, Self-Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way

Group Self Guided Moderate - Challenging
  • Trek in a group of like-minded travellers
  • A journey through the heart of Japan
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
from

$3,250.00

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8 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Group Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way

Group Guided History Moderate - Challenging
  • Fully guided walk with our qualified Japanese guide
  • Dive into the colourful history of the Shogun/Samurai
  • Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
  • Visit 16 of the original post towns from the Nobi plain land to deep in the Kisoji valley
from

$4,200.00

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6 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Highlights Trip with Shimosuwa Onsen – Nakasendo Way

Group Guided Moderate - Challenging
  • Visit Shimosuwa, the only hot springs district
  • Understand the feudal history with our local guide
  • Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
from

$3,095.00

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5 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Kiso Valley Highlights Trip – Nakasendo Way

Moderate - Challenging Self-Guided
  • A short hike offering a great introduction to walking in Japan
  • Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
  • Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
  • Understand the history of the Nakasendo Way with our local guide
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
from

$2,095.00

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9 Days

Nakasendo Way

The Shimosuwa Trip – Nakasendo Way

Moderate - Challenging Self-Guided
  • Journey through the heart of Japan
  • Visit Shimosuwa, the only hot springs district
  • Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
  • Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
from

$3,795.00

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6 Days

Yoga, Meditation and Hiking

Japan – Yoga & Hiking

Guided Japan Moderate
  • Guided Shinrin- yoku (forest bathing) session
  • Simple beauty and elegance of Japanese style accommodation
  • Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
  • Savour exquisite and delicately presented traditional Japanese dishes
from

$4,290.00

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Not quite what you're after?

Tailor-made trips

If you don’t see the exact trip you’re looking for then consider a customised trip, individually tailored to your ideal walking distances and timeframes. Have a look at our tailor-made trips page on the link below and drop us a line:

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