Book by February 27, 2025, and save $1,000!
(New bookings only – discount already applied.)
Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
12 Days
Activities
Cultural
Cycling
Hiking
Physical Rating
Moderate
Be the First to Know
Interested in this trip? Get on the list for exclusive information and updates.
Meet the Dynamic Women of Japan
Sacred Japan is a beautifully balanced combination of relaxing walks, e-bike rides and intimate experiences with locals. Meet the strong and dedicated female free divers known as the ama-san, sea cucumber farmers and the women who harvest tea. On this journey we witness the passion of Japanese women who are carrying on generational traditions and Japanese heritage through sound, art, tea and sushi!
Discover Mystical and Ancient Marvels
Renew Your Senses
We walk along sections of the Nakasendo Trail, the cliffside Kuniga Coast Walking Track, Mount Daisen and through the tidy gardens, serene temples and shrines of Tadasu no Mori Forest. In the Oki Islands (a designated UNESCO Global Geopark), we e-bike and take in the wildness of the sea. We find deep purification in the onsens’ healing waters and in the arduous climb to a 1000-year-old temple on Mount Mitoku. This trip revolves around newness: we taste it in the flavors of Kyoto cuisine and see it in the emerald rice paddies and bamboo groves. Every day is a taste of something unfamiliar.
Read the Latest Stories
Sacred Indeed: Finding Peace in Japan
When I was fourteen, I was introduced to the concept of Zen meditation, a practice from the Japanese branch of Buddhism, through a spiritual leader in my community. He told…
More Trips Recommended for You
-
Japan Pilgrimage Trail
Japan
-
Departures:
Apr, Sep, Oct, May
-
Trip Duration:
10 Days
-
Bali Explorer
Bali, Indonesia
-
Departures:
Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct
-
Trip Duration:
11 Days
-
Northern Thailand Active Adventure
Thailand
-
Departures:
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
-
Trip Duration:
11 Days
-
Bhutan Hiking Adventure
Bhutan
-
Departures:
Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
-
Trip Duration:
13 Days
Itinerary
-
Day 1
Tokyo
今日は (Hello), Tokyo!
Upon arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) there will be one group transfer or, depending on your arrival time, an escort will meet you at the airport and accompany you on the train to the hotel. These transfers are included for those arriving the night before the trip begins and on Day 1.
Tonight, we meet our expert guide and gather at 5 p.m. for our inaugural Wild Women dinner in the glittery capital of Japan. Tokyo is the world’s most populous metropolis. The city is nearly vibrating with neon and yet there are countless green spaces and parks. It’s an endless mix of contemporary architecture, trendy cafes, electronic giants, anime, harajuku, Buddhist temples, Edo Castle and the spike of the 2,080 foot (634 m) Tokyo Skytree.
Packing Notes: After dinner, we will have time to repack our luggage for the next two nights on the Nakasendo Trail. Our guide will remind us of which items are essential and how to be best prepared for this next adventure. Our main luggage will be safely transferred to Kyoto.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Washington Shinjuku Hotel or Similar
Travel
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (airport transfer to hotel)
-
Day 2
Tsumago
The Nakasendo Samurai Trail
In the morning, we board an early express train to Shiojiri Station and can enjoy our boxed breakfast on board with a view! We then switch to a local train to our lunch stop in the old post town of Narai. After a traditional lunch we continue onward to Nagiso by local train to begin our grounding walk on the ancient trail. This historical route was one of just two trails that vitally connected Edo to Kyoto over a 336-mile (540 km) expanse with 69 shukuba (post towns) serving as station-like rest stops for travelers.
On our soulful journey, we visit the post towns of Shiojiri and Nagiso and walk in the ghostly footsteps of monks, merchants and samurai along time-worn mossy cobblestones through rural villages. The Kiso Valley is fragrant with Hinoki cypress, Japanese umbrella pines and cedars and dotted with several shrines.
Today’s journey ends in the Tsumago area. This old town is bewitching with its neatly restored lattice wooden houses, tiny shops, museums and car-free main road. Local laws prohibit any demonstration of modern life—including parked cars, phones and power lines.
Included Meals
Boxed breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Traditional Japanese Inn, Minshuku or local hotel in the Tsumago area (depending on location booked, a bus ride may be required)
Travel
3.5 hours Tokyo to Narai (express train), 1.15 hours Narai to Nagiso (local train)
The Walk
3.1 miles (5 km), approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the group’s pace, on paved road
-
Day 3
Magome
The Village of Kiso Valley
Today we walk from Tsumago to Magome on a trail that winds through immense forests, small villages along jade rice paddies and over Magome Pass (2,600 feet/790 m). We see the water wheel by the granary and the Odaki and Medaki Waterfall (Male and Female Waterfall). Legend has it that the waterfall’s natural power will reinvigorate the body, mind and soul and transport us into another world.
In Magome, we stop for lunch as we reach the end of our Nakasendo route. Traditional wooden houses line the street like Tsumago, sandwiched between rustic tea houses and soba (Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour) restaurants. After soaking in all there is to see in Magome, we head onwards to Ise.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Ancient Rest Inn Ikyu or similar
The Walk
5 miles (7.6 km)
Travel
3 hour transfer (private shuttle)
-
Day 4
Osatsu-Cho
Women of the Sea
We have an early bird start to see the sunrise on the “Soul of Japan.” The Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. We will take advantage of this serene time before the crowds arrive and have a leisurely breakfast back at our hotel after visiting the shrine.
Traveling by bus to Osatsu-cho, we meet the lean and mean Ama divers known as the “ama-san.” This group of free divers are celebrated for their unique culture, customs and exceptional pearl harvesting skills. Ama means “woman of the sea” in Japanese and these fearless pros routinely dive down to an astounding depth of 82 feet (25 m) without the aid of modern scuba equipment.
We enjoy tea and a grilled seafood lunch while chatting with the Ama divers and learn about their lifestyle. After this deep dive into extreme legendary female empowerment, we’ll board an express train to Kyoto and have dinner before checking into our hotel for the evening.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
TRavel
30 minutes (bus), 45 minutes (bus), 2.5 hours (express train)
-
Day 5
Shiga
The Women Tea Farmers
After breakfast, we’ll take two local trains to meet a local guide before traveling by private shuttle (30 minutes) to the Asamiya tea experience. Here, the surreal green tea plantations completely cover the hillsides in a mesmerizing way.
During this deeply steeped visit, we meet local women tea farmers or women who are in the tea business. In their skilled company, we learn how to pick and roast the green tea leaves and the fine art of brewing a perfect cup of tea during a tasting session. The tasting (accompanied by a homemade dessert!) will also help us discern the subtle differences and aroma of tea blends and how they are influenced by the seasons and weather conditions.
It’s a short shuttle to lunch at a nearby restaurant where the menu will revolve around dishes prepared with locally harvested tea leaves. After lunch, we visit two pottery studios and meet a talented female potter. It’s a slow and easy walking tour around the village.
After we return to our hotel, we will gather later for dinner and possibly another cup of green tea!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
Travel
25 minutes (train), 45 minutes (private shuttle), 30 minutes (train back to Kyoto)
-
Day 6
Kyoto
A Big Taste of Kyoto
We begin our day with a private traditional Japanese tea ceremony where we try our hand at making Japanese matcha. We learn more about Japanese tea, assist at a Matcha grinding demonstration and get to experience a real tea ceremony.
Afterwards, we have a 45-minute bus ride to Shimogamo Shrine. There will be time to explore the immaculate grounds and impressive architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The path along the Kamogawa River to Tadasu no Mori Forest next to the shrine is a tranquil one.
Next, we head to Enko-ji. A meditative stroll through the Zen temple’s gardens offers a beautiful dose of reflection and peace.
After our Zen moment, we take a bus to the Gion district and will have the opportunity to wander through the streets, discovering more of this fascinating district before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Asai Kyoto Shijo or Hotel Vista Premio, Kyoto (Kawaramachi)
Travel
Tea ceremony to Shimogamo Shrine (45 min bus ride)
Enkoji to Gion (45 min bus ride)
-
Day 7
Misasa Onsen
Sacred Mitokusan
We take an express train into the countryside to Misasa Onsen. This region has been a sanctuary for those seeking restoration in the healing waters for over 850 years.
Mitokusan is a 1000-year-old temple built miraculously into a rock face of Mount Mitoku at 2,953 feet (900 m). It is considered one of the three most sacred sites of the Shugendo religion (a form of mountain asceticism-shamanism) and a pilgrimage to this temple is said to purify the “six roots of perception.”
Due to the technical nature of this ‘pilgrimage’, we won’t be embarking up the mountain, but we will enjoy the serene settings of the lower temple complex of Mitokusan and join the priests to make tracings.
In the evening we will have the opportunity to soak in the onsen at our hotel, fed by natural hot springs.
Included Meals
Breakfast, bento box lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Misasakan
Travel
4 hours (express train)
-
Day 8
Nishinoshima Island
Kuniga Coast Walking Trail
This morning, we have a private transfer to the port of Shichirui. Here, we board a ferry to the volcanic Nishinoshima Island. The Oki Islands and the Kuniga Coast cliffs are a designated UNESCO Global Geopark (sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development).
After lunch in the port area, we travel by taxi to the top of the Kuniga Coast Walking Track, which follows along the edge of Matengai Cliff at 843 feet (257 m) above the Sea of Japan. The short 1.2 mile (2km) trail cuts through cow and horse pastures to Tsūtenkyō Arch, Kuniga Bay and Kuniga Shrine and should take us around 90 minutes.
A short inter-island ferry takes us to our hotel on Ama Island which is within walking distance from the ferry.
Included Meals
Boxed breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Entô Hotel
Travel
2 hour (private shuttle), 3 hours (ferry), 7 minutes (ferry)
-
Day 9
Ama Island (Oki Islands)
Cycling the Oki Islands
After breakfast we explore this wind and wave-sculpted archipelago in the Sea of Japan by e-bike and meet women who are entrepreneurial and environmental stewards of this UNESCO designated Global Geopark. The cluster of islands are part of the Daisen-Oki National Park and only four of the Oki Islands are inhabited.
During the cycling tour, we have lunch midway with a group of local women working hard to maintain cultural traditions while also making positive, sustainable changes. We will also have the opportunity to learn how to make a small traditional craft with their expertise.
The afternoon is at our own leisure before dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Entô Hotel
biking
4 hours (biking)
-
Day 10
Mount Daisen
Forest Bathing
After an early bird breakfast (7 a.m.) we take a ferry from Hishiura Port back to the mainland and will have a bento box lunch on board. From Sakaiminato Port, a private bus will whisk us to the Mount Daisen region where we can explore the super scenic area on foot. We easily fall into the rhythms of the forest while experiencing the serenity and calm that surrounds the practice of Shinrun-yuko (forest bathing). The simple act of spending time in a forest is a therapeutic act and an all-natural prescription encouraged by Japanese doctors.
As the forest thins and opens up, we will absorb the stunning surrounding views of the mountains. In the fall, this area is known and loved for its transformation into autumn colours.
Included Meals
Breakfast, bento box lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Sanrakusou
Travel
Ferry (3 hours 30 min), bus shuttle from port
The walk
Approximately 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace
-
Day 11
Tokyo
Sushi Roll
In the morning, we transfer to the Yonago Airport to catch our flight to Tokyo.
With full memory cards and a highlight reel spooling in our heads and hearts, we’ll transfer to our hotel to refresh and have the rest of the day at leisure before we reset and enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Washington Shinjuku Hotel or Similar
Travel
1.5 hours (flight to Tokyo), 1 hr drive (from airport to hotel)
-
Day 12
Tokyo
決別 (Goodbye), Tokyo
After an early breakfast, transfers will be coordinated to Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). As we squeeze each other goodbye and share a few laughs and tears, it’s time to exchange contact info, photos and ideas for a reunion! Where next? Another pilgrimage perhaps?
Included Meals
Breakfast
What’s Included
- An awesome English-speaking local female Japanese guide
- Eleven nights’ accommodation in hotels, including three nights in a traditional tatami-style room (*Optional private single upgrades are only available for eight of the eleven nights and are subject to availability)
- All ground transport including trains, local buses, private car and ferries
- Domestic flight from Yonago Airport (YGJ) to Haneda Airport, Tokyo (HND)
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 12
- Private traditional tea ceremony
- Asamiya tea experience (4.5 hour plantation tour and tasting)
- Bikes and helmets (e-bikes will be provided on the Oki Islands)
- Entry to onsens (hot springs)
- Admission to shrines and temples
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
At some of the boutique accommodations we use we are unable to secure private rooms. On this trip the private upgrade is for eight out of the eleven nights, on the other three nights you may have a roommate. We are staying in unique small accommodations with limited space.
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 Tokyo, Japan (airport codes: NRT or HND) and finishes in Tokyo, Japan (airport codes: NRT or HND).
Onsens
Most ryokans have ‘onsens’ – which are public bathing areas, sometimes filled with heated mineral water, and sometimes fed by local hot springs. You will be provided with a small and large towel. Onsens are gender segregated (women’s and men’s). When you enter the change rooms, there will be lockers for your clothing. Find a shower stall and rinse down well, using the soap and small towel provided. Then find your way into the onsen for a quiet soak. It’s important to be mindful of other women using the onsen and to keep voices low. These are quiet spaces.
A common question asked is whether you can enter an onsen if you have a tattoo. It is an unwritten rule that public onsens do not permit those who have tattoos on their body. If you choose to enter a public onsen with a tattoo, chances are, no one will notice (especially if it’s small and inconspicuous), but if you are asked to leave, you should respectfully do so.
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 walk a lot and do some exploring by bicycle. 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, multi-activity adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Walking distances on this trip vary: On the Nakasendo pilgrimage, you can expect to walk up to 4 miles (6.5 km) a day
- On other days, the walking duration can be 1-2 hours on the Kuniga Coast Walking Track or up to 3 hours walking in the Mount Daisen area
- There are also shorter walking tours through villages and to the shrines
- Some days involve extensive travel via express train, local buses and ferries (something to be aware of if you are prone to motion sickness)
- For the Day 10 cycling tour of the Oki Islands, there will be several breaks and a stop for lunch – e-bikes are provided this day
- Up to three nights will be spent in accommodations offering tatami rooms, which are traditional Japanese rooms with tatami (rush reed) flooring and low futon mattresses.
- 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.)
Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
12 Days
Activities
Cultural
Cycling
Hiking
Physical Rating
Moderate
Be the First to Know
Interested in this trip? Get on the list for exclusive information and updates.
Step Back in Time
Travel deep into the colorful and cultural pockets of Japan from Osaka to Kyoto. This country is deeply steeped in tradition and ceremony—meditation and reflection are at the heart of Japanese culture. The ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is testament to this. Spend three days on this sacred path, walking from Takahara to the Nachi Grand Shrine. The landscape will startle you at every turn—from the camphor and bamboo forests to the thousand-year-old conifers of the Kii Mountain region. Follow in the shadowed footsteps of monks, philosophers and the female pilgrims who were once forbidden to enter the holy sites of Koyasan.
A Transformative Pilgrimage
Enter a World of Deep Traditions
On this journey into Japan, we learn about the religious practice of Shugendō, hear the stories behind the elaborate shrines and temples and witness the evolution of the Women’s Pilgrimage Course. We sleep in traditional ryokans on tatami mats, attend a fire ceremony and create parchment-like washi-paper. At day’s end, it’s all about purifying in the healing waters of the onsens. Introduce your palate and senses to some truly unexpected local flavors and surprises.
More Trips Recommended for You
-
Sacred Japan
Japan
-
Departures:
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
-
Trip Duration:
12 Days
-
Bali Explorer
Bali, Indonesia
-
Departures:
Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct
-
Trip Duration:
11 Days
-
Northern Thailand Active Adventure
Thailand
-
Departures:
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
-
Trip Duration:
11 Days
-
Bhutan Hiking Adventure
Bhutan
-
Departures:
Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
-
Trip Duration:
13 Days
Itinerary
-
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 shuttles.
At the hotel, we meet our energetic Wild Women guide and gather for a trip debrief before sharing stories and laughs over dinner. This is just the beginning of our transformative pilgrimage together.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Karaksa Hotel, Osaka
Travel
Train (1 hour)
-
Day 2
The Sacred Kumano Kodo
Soaking it in
After breakfast at the hotel, we board an early train to Kii-Tanabe and 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 five major oji (subsidiary shrines) in the region—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. Surrounded by the fragrance and shade of the camphor forest, we encounter our first challenge: climbing through the narrow crack of the massive boulders that create the Tainai-kuguri cave. In Japanese, Tainai means “birth canal” and kuguri means “to pass through.”
Upon arrival in Kiri-no-Sato we can soak in a healing traditional onsen (hot spring) before a fun multi-course dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Kiri-no-Sato, Takahara
Travel
Train (2.5 hours), bus (45 minutes)
The Walk
4 miles (6.7 km), or approximately 2.5 hours
-
Day 3
Kumano
Relics and Ryokans
On foot, we head higher into the mountains along the forested Nakahechi trail, passing abandoned beehives, a former teahouse, shrine gates and kilns. A female yamabushi (a mountain ascetic who practices Shugendo religion) will join us for a section of the walk.
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 up to Tsugizakura-Oji, beloved for its giant cedar trees and glass-clear springs. From here, we transfer by vehicle to Yunomine Onsen, deep in the belly of the sacred mountains of Kumano. It is said that the waters here change color seven times in a single day—it’s thought to be one of the oldest hot springs in all of Japan. At our ryokan (Japanese-style inn), it’s time to drift off on tatami mats made from Japanese rush grass.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Yunominesou, Yunomine Onsen
The Walk
7.7 miles (12.4 km), approximately 5 hours
-
Day 4
Pilgrimage to Hongu Taisha
Walks, Washi and Calming Waters
We hop on a local bus to Hosshinmon-oji to begin today’s walk. This meandering route follows a ridge through small villages and verdant forests.
In Hongu Taisha, we have the option to try Otonashi, a Japanese washi paper-making experience. This paper is made from local wild plants like the paper bush, which has a parchment paper-like bark.
After lunch, we can take a bus or walk the Dainichi-goe route back to Yunomine Onsen. It’s a short but relatively steep section with uneven steps over Mt. Dainichi. Near the upper ridge, there’s a shrine that was historically associated with the Shugendo sect in the area.
Tonight is all about recharging and reflecting in the healing hot waters in Yunomine Onsen. Before bed, our guide will offer instructions on what to pack for the next two nights.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Yunominesou, Yunomine Onsen
The Walk (optional)
1.2 miles (2 km)
-
Day 5
The Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine The Fossil Seawaters
The Fossil Seawaters
After breakfast, we take a bus to Michinoeki Kumano-gawa where we take a traditional wooden flat-bottomed boat down the Kumano River to the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine and the natural wonder of its 800-year-old Nagi-no-Ki conifer tree.
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.
We have a traditional dinner and soak again this evening. The hot spring in Katsuragi is known for its powerful high salt concentration of “fossil seawater” (ancient seawater).
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Katsuragi Onsen Happunoyu
Travel
Bus (25 minutes), boat (90 minutes), private shuttle (30 minutes to shrine and 3 hours to hotel)
The Walk
1.4 miles (2.2 km), approximately 3.5 hours
-
Day 6
Katsuragi to Koyasan
Teahouses and Temples
We board an early morning train to Kii-Hosokawa station and begin our five-hour pilgrimage in Chioshi Michi at Kii-Hosokawa station and finish at the Daimon Gate, the entrance to Koyasan.
This 15-mile (24 km) route is known for its 180 stone pillars (known as chioshi) that pepper the trail—we will walk a 8.7 mile (14 km) section of this mystical trail. Our guide will share stories like that of Jison-in Temple, where Kobo Daishi Kukai’s mother could not enter due to the prohibition against women in Koyasan. She passed away here, and Kobo Daishi built the Miroku-do Hall here for her. The temple has been affectionately called Nyonin Koya (Women’s Koya).
At Eko-in Temple we enjoy a healthy menu of seasonal vegetables, seaweed and edible wild plants. The Buddhist monastery offers morning religious services and Goma prayers, meditation and sutra copying.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Eko-in Temple, Koyasan
Travel
Train (1.5 hours)
The Walk
8.7 miles (14 km), approximately 5 hours
-
Day 7
The Women’s Pilgrimage Course
A Grounding Journey
We have the option to attend an early religious service and the Goma (Homa) fire ceremony that follows. After breakfast, a private meditation is led by one of the monks of Koyasan.
Later, we follow the lotus flower-shaped Women’s Pilgrimage Course around the perimeter of Koyasan, past the ruins of Nyonindo, to the entrance of the enormous Okunoin cemetery. The tomb of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, is located among the 200,000 gravestones.
The entire route is 10.6 miles (17 km) and offers a grounding journey along ribbons of streams, old-growth forest, historic shrines and the iconic red torii gates of the Kii mountains. Around 1872, female pilgrims were finally allowed to enter the holy sites of this mountain temple complex.
After this incredible walk, we board an express train and make our way to Kyoto, to check into our hotel, refresh and relax.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Vista, Kawaramachi or similar
Travel
Express train (3 hours)
The Walk
4.3 miles (7 km), approximately 2.5 hours
-
Day 8
Kyoto
Finding Zen
We board a train or 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, we are treated to a captivating Geisha dance performance and seasonal dinner in Gion, the Geisha district of Kyoto.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Vista, Kawaramachi or similar
The Walk
Short and sweet but profound! It’s 1.2 miles (2 km).
-
Day 9
The Sacred Gyoja Pathway
Monks and Mountains
We have another early bird morning departure to Hieizan Sakamoto Station via train. At Mt. Hiei, we accompany a Dai Ajari to walk the sacred Gyoja Pathway. A Dai Ajari is a priest who has completed an extreme feat of endurance and is considered a living saint or a Buddha within Japan. To achieve such status is so difficult that only 51 monks have been successful in this training in over 450 years.
We follow in the industrious footsteps of the monks who trained on this mountain, immersed in the full rhythm of nature before visiting the Dai Ajari’s temple to share our feelings and thoughts about the essence of spiritual practices and take part in his unique incantation.
After this guided tour, we return to Kyoto brimming with reflections. Later, we gather for our last dinner together to share some laughs, epiphanies and favorite trip moments.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Vista, Kawaramachi or similar
Travel
Train (30 minutes)
-
Day 10
Departure
決別 (Goodbye) Kyoto
After an early breakfast, we have a group transfer 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 pilgrimage perhaps?
Included Meals
Breakfast
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- An awesome English-speaking 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
- Traditional boat tour of the Kumano River (90 minutes)
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
- Private group meditation
- Japanese washi paper-making lesson (30 minutes)
- Geisha dinner show
- Entry to onsens (hot springs)
- Admission to shrines and temples
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
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.
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.
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. Still have concerns? 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 1.4 to 8.7 miles (2.2 to 14 km) and involve steep climbs, uneven steps, cobblestone, and slippery moss-covered paths
- The Kumano Kodo section will involve walking 18 miles (29 km) over the course of 4 days
- Some days involve long train travel of up to 5 hours and several modes of transportation. Please pack efficiently and choose sensible luggage that suits boarding trains and buses
- 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
