Japan's Kumano Kodo

13 nights from £6099

13 nights

Japan's Kumano Kodo

Walk Japan's ancient pilgrimage routes along the Kumano Kodo and enjoy on this tour.



£6099 pp excluding flights £469 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
After uncovering Kyoto’s most ancient shrines and pathways, we head off the beaten track to the Kumano Kodo region; one of Japan's most remote and rewarding pilgrimage routes. This moderate walking trip focuses on beautiful scenery and nature, rural life, and following in the footsteps of religious pilgrimages on some of the country’s most historic walks. Staying in traditional ryokans along the way, this journey invites full immersion into the authentic Japanese culture and way of life. Afterwards, we visit Toba to learn about the famous Ama Divers and embark on one last pilgrimage walk on the famous Nakasendo Way, before entering back into the modern civilisation of Tokyo!



  • Sleep in traditional Japanese ryokans, guesthouses and inns
  • Historic pilgrimage walks along the Kumano Kodo
  • Walk the Nakasendo Way from Tsumago to Magome
  • Be immersed in Japanese culture off the beaten track
  • Explore the beautiful and fascinating Kyoto
  • Learn about the famous Ama divers whilst staying in Toba
  • Stay in charming Kiso Fukushima 
  • Beautiful scenery and nature

We spend eight nights in traditional guesthouses
yokans in Japanese-style rooms (shared bathrooms) and five nights in comfortable hotels.



For eight nights, we stay in ryokans, comfortable traditional inns where we experience the timeless rhythms and customs of the Japanese countryside. Ryokans, while comfortable and full of local character, do not run along the same lines as Western hotels and all have their own unique style. Some are more like Japanese B&Bs with a homestay feel and guests make their own Japanese-style beds up, while others are managed more like a standard hotel with bedding made up for guests.



Rooms do not generally have private facilities and bedding is usually in the Japanese style with thick futon mattresses placed on tatami mats on the floor. Rooms are always doubles or twin-share but bathrooms and showers are generally communal. Please be advised, while females and males have access to separate bathrooms, inside showering and bathing facilities can lack the level of privacy you would be used to in a Western-style shared bathroom. This is very common in Japan and by staying in mostly traditional ryokans, there is the chance to have a very authentic cultural experience throughout the tour.



On Day 5, we stay in Nonaka-Chikatsuyu. Please note, due to the smaller sizes of accommodation in this area, bigger groups may be accommodated across two minshuku inns in a neighbouring village (five-minute drive). However, the group still has meals together in one of the accommodations if bigger groups stay in two inns.



In Kyoto, Tanabe and Tokyo, we stay in comfortable Western-style hotels with rooms that have private bathrooms.



Single supplements are very limited and only available for five nights of the trip (three nights in Kyoto, one night in Katsuura and one night in Tokyo). Please advise at time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement (subject to availability). In Japan, often single supplements can be accommodated in either an actual single and/or double for sole use room in hotels.



Onsen (Japanese public bath)

For many visitors to Japan, the onsen is unfamiliar territory. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and the bathing facilities and inns frequently situated around them. The combination of a strict bathing etiquette, that nudity is compulsory, and that the water temperature is often hotter than most hot tubs can cause some reluctance for first timers. However, once the courage is mustered, you may discover that a dip in an onsen is a highlight of your visit to Japan. We can try onsens on a few occasions throughout the trip. Please note, you may be refused entry if you have large and visible tattoos. Some accommodations may have private baths available for reservation.

More tours like this
10 nights

Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

Journey the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

£3649 pp excluding flights £365 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
11 nights

Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail

Encounter Japan's fascinating blend of ancient and modern influence on a walking holiday that uncovers the country's history and explores its beautiful landscapes.

£4249 pp excluding flights £386 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
10 nights

Japan’s Cultural Treasures

Discover the cultural heritage of Japan on this exciting journey through the country’s main island of Honshu.

£6295 pp including flights £630 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • image
  • icon5

Save up tp 45%

13 nights

Ultimate Japan

Discover more than just chaotic cities and mountainous landscapes on this ultimate 15-day adventure through Japan.

£5389 pp
£2964 pp excluding flights £228 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
7 nights

Best of Japan - 8 days

Enjoy and explore the adventure on this Best of Japan - 8 day tour

£1955 pp
£1760 pp excluding flights £251 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
15 nights

Ancient Empires—Beijing to Tokyo

Ancient Empires—Beijing to Tokyo. Explore two ancient nations on this unique journey.

£4099 pp
£3607 pp excluding flights £240 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
7 nights

Japan Highlights 8D/7N

Starting in Tokyo, travel on bullet trains to the cities of Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka, seeing the Japanese countryside along the way. Enjoy your free time and appreciate the amazing culture,

£1418 pp excluding flights £203 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
19 nights

Ancient Empires of China & Japan

The ultimate tour for those wishing to combine the very best of two ancient nations. Join us on an incredible journey from Beijing to Tokyo by road, boat, rail and air on this epic three-week tour!

£7490 pp
£6690 pp including flights £352 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • image
  • icon5

15%* OFF!

7 nights

Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek

Stray off the tourist trail with an eight-day trekking adventure on some of the ancient pilgrim routes in Japan

£2485 pp
£2112 pp excluding flights £302 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
10 nights

Classic Japan

A tale of four iconic cities and two former capitals – your epic journey through Japan blends old and new, with soul-stirring visits to ancient centres and modern cities

£5125 pp
£5025 pp excluding flights £503 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
6 nights

Independent Tokyo & Kyoto City Stays

£2313 pp
£2069 pp excluding flights £345 per night
What’s included
  • image
7 nights

Japan in a Week

Kon'nichiwa Japan! We may only have a week, but what a week it is

£1575 pp
£1418 pp excluding flights £203 per night
What’s included
  • image
  • icon5
tour hound
Why TourHound?