Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
10 Days
Activities
Cultural
Hiking
Physical Rating
Moderate
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Step Back in Time
Japan is a rich tapestry of culture and tradition, from Osaka’s vibrant streets to Kyoto’s timeless beauty. In Japan, meditation and reflection aren’t just practices—they’re woven into the very fabric of life. And nowhere is this more evident than on the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. For four unforgettable days, you’ll walk this sacred route, from Takahara to the awe-inspiring Kumano-Nachi Grand Shrine.
As you move through camphor and bamboo forests and stand beneath the towering thousand-year-old conifers of the Kii Mountain region, you’ll feel the weight of history. You’ll follow in the footsteps of monks, philosophers, and the brave female pilgrims once banned from entering Koyasan’s holy sites. This is more than a journey—it’s a soul-deep connection to a land steeped in wonder.
A Transformative Pilgrimage
Enter a World of Deep Traditions
On this journey through Japan, we dive deep into the ancient practice of Shugendō, unravel the stories behind stunning shrines and temples, and explore the fascinating evolution of the Women’s Pilgrimage Course.
By night, we rest in traditional ryokans, sinking into the comfort of tatami mats, and at day’s end? It’s all about soaking in the rejuvenating onsens. Your taste buds (and soul) are in for a treat—get ready to discover local flavors and experiences.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Osaka
歓迎 (Welcome) to Osaka
Upon arrival at Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX), you will be transferred from the airport to our hotel by scheduled group shuttles or with an escort on the train.
At the hotel, we meet our Wild Women guide at 5 p.m. and gather for a trip debrief before sharing stories and laughs over dinner. This is just the beginning of our transformative pilgrimage together.
Tonight you will pack your ‘Day Pack’ with the items you will need for one night on the Kumano Kodo trail. Your main luggage will be transferred to your night 3 accommodation. Your guide will let you know which essentials you should bring with you and how best to pack.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Karaksa Hotel, Osaka or similar
Travel
Train (1 hour)
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Day 2
The Sacred Kumano Kodo
Soaking It In
After breakfast at the hotel, we board an early train to Kii-Tanabe, where we will also enjoy lunch nearby. We then take a bus to the Takijiri-oji bus stop.
We visit the Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center to learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage site and sacred pilgrimage route.
Takijiri-oji is one of the region’s five major oji (subsidiary shrines)—this is the main entrance to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. From this point onward to Takahara, the trail is very steep as we climb into the panorama of the Hatenashi mountain range.
Upon arrival in Takahara, we can soak in a traditional healing onsen (hot spring) before having a fun multi-course dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Kiri-no-Sato, Takahara or similar
Travel
Train (2.5 hours), bus (45 minutes)
The Walk
Takijiri-Oji to Takahara 4 km, around 2-3 h
Total elevation gain: around 430 mt
Total elevation loss: around 200 mt
All unpaved until km 3, then paved road until Takahara.
A rear view of a a woman soaking in an onsen bath outdoors enjoying the view out over the mountain trees.
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Day 3
Kumano
Forested Trails
On foot, we head higher into the mountains along the pilgrimage trail. We will pass by an earthen mound ichirizuka milestone marker, which serves as a reminder of the old Nakasendo highway, before stopping for a lunch of local flavours.
Pressing on through the serenity, we reach the Hashiori-Toge pass after a short climb. Our descent follows a cobbled path and staircase to Chikatsuyu. Our final stretch involves an ascent to Tsugizakura-Oji, beloved for its giant cedar trees and glass-clear springs. From here, we transfer by vehicle to our onsen, deep in the belly of the sacred mountains of Kumano.
At our ryokan (Japanese-style inn), it’s time to drift off to sleep.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel in Yunomine Area
The Walk
From Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji 13km, around 6-8 hrs
Total elevation gain: around 830 mt
Total elevation loss: around 650 mt
Unpaved trail up to Chikatsuyu and then paved road to Tsugizakura-oji.
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Day 4
Pilgrimage to Hongu Taisha
Walking with Reflection
We hop on a local bus (around 30 minutes) to Hosshinmon- oji to begin today’s walk. This route follows a ridge through small villages and verdant forests before descending to Hongu Taisha for lunch.
After lunch, depending on timing, we can take a bus or walk the Dainichi-goe route back, from Oyunohara to Yunomine. It is a short 1.2 miles (2 km) but relatively steep trail over Mt. Dainichi. Near the upper ridge there is a shrine that was historically associated with the Shugendo sect in the area.
A female yamabushi (mountain ascetic practicing the religion of Shugendo) will join us today on a section of the walk, accompanied by her daughter. Back at our hotel we can spend our evening soaking and reflecting in the healing hot waters of the Yunomine region.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel in Yunomine Area
The Walk
From Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu Taisha 7.5km, around 3 hrs, total elevation gain: around 190 mt, total elevation loss: around 460 mt, mix trail: half paved road, half unpaved trail.
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Day 5
The Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine
Ancient Shrines
After breakfast, we have a one-hour transfer to Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine, where we will have time to stroll around these ancient grounds.
After absorbing the spiritual magnitude of it all, we travel by private van to the Kumano-Nachi Grand Shrine and walk the Daimon-zaka Shrine Approach. Daimon-zaka (“large gate slope”) is a 1,969 foot-long (600 m) cobblestone staircase of 267 stairs, connecting the base of the valley to Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji Temple and the Nachi waterfall. At the slope’s base, the Meitosugi (“husband and wife cedar trees”) have roots that entwine beneath the path—a reminder of the Kumano Kodo’s beauty above, below and unseen. It’s a three and a half hour journey (by private van) to our Shukubo. After settling in, we will gather for a traditional dinner and later, an onsen soak.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Shukubo or Temple stay, Koyasan
Travel
Private shuttle (1 hour to shrine and 3 hours and 30 min to hotel)
The Walk
Nachikatsura to Kumano-Nachi Taisha: 1.5 km (30 min)
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Day 6
Women’s Pilgrimage Course
A Grounding Journey
It will be an early but beautiful start before breakfast as we quietly join the Gonbyo (a monk’s morning prayers).
Later, we start the Nyonindo trail, a section of the lotus flower-shaped Women’s Pilgrimage Course. This trail leads around the perimeter of Koyasan, past the ruins of Nyonindo, to the entrance of the enormous Okunoin cemetery. Among the 200,000 gravestones is the tomb of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
We will have the option to return to the hotel by bus or on foot. If our stars (and timing) align, we may be able to join the monks for an afternoon Ajikan meditation.
At our temple stay in Koyasan, we enjoy a healthy menu of seasonal vegetables, seaweed and edible wild plants.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Shukubo or Temple stay, Koyasan
Travel
Bus (20 minutes)
The Walk
From Fudozaka-guchi to Okunoin bus station 6.9 km, around 3h
Elevation gain of ~420 mt
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Day 7
Mount Hiei Bound
Meandering and Museums
This morning, we must pack our small daypacks for tonight’s stay. Our guide will remind us of what essentials we will need, as we will not be able to access our main luggage until Day 8. Our group’s main luggage will be safely forwarded to our accommodations in Kyoto.
There is an optional short morning walk along the Fudozaka Trail for those who want to see the last remaining Nyonido. The trailhead for this 1.6 mile (2.5 km) route leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station (the lower station of the Koyasan Cable Car). We must take a public bus (45 minutes) from our accommodation to reach this point. The Fuozaka Trail is steep but paved and ends at the Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo temple hall, the only surviving Nyonindo (“woman hall”) built around Koyasan’s perimeter. Historically, the seven women halls welcomed female visitors who were banned from entering the temple town before 1872.
From Nyonindo, we can continue walking (20 minutes) to the Koyasan Reihokan Museum. Built in 1921, the museum’s collection includes thousands of religious works of art, statues, mandalas and scrolls displayed in three exhibition halls.
After lunch, we have a three-hour private transfer to the Mount Hiei area. Upon reaching our accommodations, we will have time to enjoy the amenities and surroundings of our hotel before gathering again for dinner.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel in Mt. Hiei area
Travel
Private transfer (3 hours) and/or 45 minutes (bus and cable car) for those who opt for the Fudozaka Trail walk
The Walk
1.6 miles (2.5 km), optional
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Day 8
The Sacred Gyoja Pathway
Monks and Mountains
This morning, we take the Sakamoto Cable Railway and will be joined by a Dai Ajari to walk the sacred Gyoja Pathway in Hieizan (Mount Hei). A Dai Ajari is a priest who has completed an extreme feat of endurance—the challenge is so daunting that only 51 monks have achieved this elite status in 450 years. They are considered to be living saints or Buddhas within Japan.
We follow in the industrious footsteps of the monks who trained on this mountain of ancient cedars, known as Buddhism’s rocking cradle.
The Enryakuji Temple is a national treasure that has served as the nerve centre for the study and practice of Tendai Buddhism. The sprawling grounds include large halls and pagodas dedicated to the founders of each of the Buddhism sects, ascetic training buildings and monk and pilgrims quarters. The designated UNESCO World Heritage Site once had nearly 3,000 sub-temples with thousands of monks in residence. We will visit the Eastern Area’s Main Hall and the Western Area.
After lunch, we have a 30-minute bus ride to the Dai Ajari’s temple, Kakusho Ritsuan, where we take part in a memorable Kaji incantation prayer before returning to Kyoto by train, brimming with reflections.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Vista, Kawaramachi or similar
Travel
Bus (30 minutes), Train (15 minutes) Hieizan Sakamoto station to Kyoto station at EOD back to hotel)
The Walk
Dai Ajari walk: ~5.5km, 8h (total tour duration including lunch break and stops)
Elevation gain of ~730 mt
Elevation loss of ~525mt
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Day 9
Kyoto
Finding Zen
We will take a shared taxi to the Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains.
From here, we walk the Philosopher’s Path, a 1.2-mile (2 km) canal-side trail in the footsteps of Nishida Kitaro, a famed philosopher and founder of the Kyoto School of Philosophy. It’s easy to detour from this path as several shops, shrines and spiritual sites are found on the side streets here.
The path ends at Nanzenji, a Zen garden. One of the charms of Nanzen-ji is the ambient tea room with a waterfall view near the front of the temple complex. A regional favorite and Junsei specialty is the yodofu tofu—a hot dish with kombu (seaweed). Take a moment here to absorb the serenity and have a calming green tea.
Tonight, for our final meal together, we are treated to a Geisha or Maiko performance and seasonal dinner in the Gion district of Kyoto. In Kyoto, Geisha are called Geiko and apprentice Geiko are called Maiko. These artists are highly trained practitioners of traditional Japanese arts and customs of hospitality.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Vista, Kawaramachi or similar
TRAVEL
Taxi (30 minutes)
The Walk
Short and sweet but profound! It’s 1.2 miles (2 km).
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Day 10
Departure
決別 (Goodbye) Kyoto
After an early breakfast, transfers will be coordinated as needed to Kansai International Airport (KIX), where we will squeeze each other goodbye.
After this remarkable 10-day journey together, it’s time to exchange contact info, photos and ideas for a reunion! Where to next? Another pilgrimag,e perhaps?
Included Meals
Breakfast
What’s Included
- An English-speaking Japanese female guide
- Nine nights’ accommodation in hotels, including four nights in traditional tatami-style rooms (*Optional private single upgrades are only available for seven of the nine nights and are subject to availability)
- All ground transport including trains and buses
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers
- Activities as outlined in the trip itinerary,
- Meals as outlined in the trip itinerary
- Admission to shrines and temples
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
At some of the boutique accommodation we use we are unable to secure private rooms. On this trip the private upgrade is for seven out of the nine nights, on the other two you may have a roommate.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) and finishes in Kyoto, Japan, with a transfer back to Osaka Kansai International Airport (airport code: KIX).
The Kumano Kodo
Please note that the distance covered on the Kumano Kodo on this trip does not qualify for a dual pilgrim status if you have a Compostela from the Camino de Santiago. You must walk 62 miles (100 km) on the Kumano to receive this unique designation.
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we spend many days hiking. Yes, some of it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an active hiking adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Walking distances on this trip vary from .9 to 8 miles (1.5 to 13 km) and involve steep climbs, uneven steps, cobblestone, and slippery moss-covered paths
- The Kumano Kodo section will involve walking 16 miles (26 km) over the course of 4 days
- Some days involve long train travel of up to 3 hours and several modes of transportation. Please pack efficiently and choose sensible luggage that suits boarding trains and buses
- On this pilgrimage trail, you will be carrying essential items only (in your day pack) for a total of 2 nights on trip and your main luggage will not be with you during those nights. Please refer to the itinerary for those nights without your luggage.
- Four nights will be spent in accommodations offering tatami rooms, which are traditional Japanese rooms with tatami flooring. These Washitsu-style accommodations have sliding doors (fusuma) versus hinged doors
- Expect a menu and flavors that may be unfamiliar to you
- If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to enter certain onsens
- Physical Rating: Moderate (Good level of fitness required. Trips are moderately challenging with an average of 4 to 6 hours of activity each day.)
