Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan & Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Hike

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14 days 13 nights

fromUSD $9850.00

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Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your driver just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. Proceed to your hotel by private car. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be free for leisure.

Hotel Granvia Osaka or similar class

After breakfast, travel to one of Japan’s most ancient capitals: Nara. Here, you can hike through the Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest. The forest has remained mostly untouched since hunting and logging were outlawed in 841. This has left the forest to flourish, including some rare foliage. You’ll hike from Nara park to the summit of Mt. Wakakusa where you will be able to get excellent views. Then, we will visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and a landmark of Nara, Todaiji Temple. Our last destination for the day will be Kasuga Grand Shrine, the family shrine for the powerful Fujiwara clan during the Nara and Heian periods, with unique architectural traits and an area filled with various styled lamps.

Breakfast

Hotel Granvia Osaka or similar class

This morning, you will transfer to Kudoyama by train with your guide. The journey will take approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. From there, you will hike the Koyasan Choishi-michi Trail to the Daimon gate. The trail is approximately 23.5km (14.6 miles) long and takes around 7 hours to complete in full. There are other optional starting points which make the trail shorter. Tonight, you will be staying at a temple where you will be able to enjoy the simpler things in life. Your dinner will be similar to a Japanese kaiseki dinner, with more focus on natural flavor. This form of cooking is referred to as Shojin Ryori, or Monk’s Food. As is tradition among practicing Buddhists, your meal will be vegetarian. After dinner, you can continue to experience the monk’s life at the evening ceremonies. After relaxing at the temple lodgings for a while, venture back out to Okunoin where you can visit the graveyard by night.

Breakfast / Dinner

Sekishoin or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Osaka to your hotel in Kawayu Onsen. Please pack your essentials for 3 nights in a small bag to carry with you.

After morning prayers and breakfast at the temple, tour the Kongobuji Temple constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to commemorate his mother after death. The Banryutei Rock Garden behind Kongobuji Temple is a large Zen garden beautifully composed to represent dragons emerging from clouds in the sky. Danjo Garan is one of the two most sacred sites on Mt Koya. In the 9th century, Mt Koya’s temple complex was founded on this very ground. At that time, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony and then dedicated his life to the construction of Danjo Garan. In the afternoon, you will transfer to Ryujin Onsen by bus – a 2-hour journey.

Breakfast / Dinner

Ryujin Onsen Kamigoten or similar class

After breakfast, travel to Takijiri-oji Shrine to begin your pilgrimage of the Kumano Kodo. Takijiri-oji is the point where most pilgrims begin their trek. The trail from Takijiri-oji to Nonaka is approximately 17km (10.5 miles). In Chikatsuyu, you will be able to rest after your long day of hiking in one of the Minshuku-style accommodations. These are traditional Japanese bed- and-breakfast style inns and typically offer similar amenities as a Ryokan. Enjoy dinner in your room before taking a much-needed rest.

Breakfast / Dinner

Chikatsuyu or similar class

Continue your hike from Nonaka’s Tsugizakura-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine. This journey is about 21km (13 miles). You can spend the night in Kawayu Onsen where you can enjoy the traditional ryokan-style inn and soak in the soothing onsen hot spring.

Breakfast / Dinner

Kawayu Onsen Fujiya or similar class

After enjoying breakfast in your hotel, you will be bussed back to the Kumano-kodo. From the bus stop at Ukegawa, you will hike the Kogumotori-goe section to Koguchi. This section is about 13km (8 miles). You will spend the night in Koguchi.

Breakfast / Dinner

Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Kawayu Onsen to your hotel in Kyoto. Please pack your essentials for 3 nights in a small bag to carry with you.

Today, you may hike the Ogumotori-goe section to Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine from Koguchi. This length of trail is approximately 14km (8.7 miles). Once you arrive in Nachi, congradulations! You are now a successful pilgrim of the Kumano-Kodo. You will be spending the night at another traditional ryokan inn.

Breakfast / Dinner

Nachi Katsuura Onsen Hotel Nakanoshima or similar class

Depart the Kumano-Kodo area and travel to Toba via ferry. Upon arrival, you will then go to Ise to visit Ise shrine. This is considered the most important shrine in the Shinto religion and was originally build in 4 BCE. The structures here, as in many shrines, are ritually re- build every 20 years and based on the designs from the 7th century CE. You may then walk along the Oharaimachi – the traditional route to the inner Ise shrine. About 1 km (.6 miles) long, you will now find many shops and restaurants lining the road.

Breakfast / Dinner

Toba Kokusai Hotel or similar class

Before leaving Toba, visit Mikimoto Pearl Island where the pearl industry was perfected. In 1892, one of the local merchants, Kokichi Mikimoto, discovered a way to farm perfectly round pearls. Since then, the technique has spread around the world. In the afternoon, you will transfer to Kyoto. Please note, optional experiences may require an additional day. One such experience is to visit a traditional home to learn some of the iconic traditional arts of Japan – Kimono, Green Tea Ceremony, Origami, Calligraphy, and Ikebana.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Tour the historic city of Kyoto, beginning with a walking tour of the Arashiyama district. First, visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park - an open area where hundreds of monkeys roam freely. Then, cross the Togetsukyo Bridge over the Hozu River, past several small shrines, tea shops and private houses before arriving at Tenryuji Temple. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the traditional rock landscape garden design. Then proceed through the dense bamboo grove, to Jojakkoji temple. Founded in 1596, this temple has a serene atmosphere and excellent views over Kyoto. Further into the forest, you will find Gioji temple which is known for its moss garden dotted with lovely maple trees. Then, stroll along the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street – preserved in the style of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). At Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, you can see the famous 1200 stone statues of devoted Buddhists, each featuring a different expression. Our last temple of the day will be Daikakuji – the former residence of an emperor which was converted to a temple in 876.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Continue to explore Kyoto beginning with the Fushimi Inari Shrine – renowned for its trail of thousands of torii gates. After hiking through the gates, head to the Fushimi Sake District – known for its clear waters and home to over 40 traditional sake breweries. You will then be free for leisure in the afternoon. Alternatively, you can add the following experiences to your day. One option is to try on the traditional garment of Kimono. Many visitors to Kyoto will wear a Kimono for the day to complete the traditional atmosphere that the city is known for. You can also experience Zen meditation in a temple with local monks, a traditional green tea ceremony, or a Kaiseki dinner with a Geisha performance.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Today, you will be able to enjoy a walking tour of southern and eastern Kyoto. You will begin your tour at Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple in Japan that is best known for its large wooden stage that overlooks a hillside of natural scenery. Leading up to the temple are Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, these streets are filled with preserved buildings that remind us of Japan’s past. Many of the buildings are selling souvenirs and Kyoto- specific wares. Then, enjoy a stroll down Ishibei-koji lane. This traditional street can be easily missed as you walk past, but as your guide leads you down the correct path, you will step back into old-Kyoto on the pedestrian-only walkway. Travel to Kodaiji Temple – a lavish temple built in the memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Here, we can experience Zen meditation. Afterwards you will visit Maruyama Park, home to one of the largest weeping cherry blossom trees and the most popular cherry blossom viewing location in Kyoto. Next, marvel at Chion-in temple which received particular favor from the Tokugawa shogun and was built up by the master artisans of the early Edo Period. After a short walk, you will arrive at the Shoren-in Temple complex. Situated against the Higashiyama Mountain range, Shoren-in’s main hall exudes a palpable sense of calm. Visit Heian Shrine – dedicated to Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei, famous for its large torii gate. While at Nanzenji Temple, a famous Zen temple converted from the retirement villa belonging to Emperor Kameyama, we can enjoy the views and unique architectural traits of ancient Japan. Next, we will stroll along the Philosopher’s Path which runs along a water canal lined hundreds of cherry blossom trees. Visit Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple modeled after the Golden Pavilion. This was built as a retirement residence for Ashikaga Yoshimasa and filled with beautiful moss gardens and varies temple structures. Finally, make your way to the peak of Mt. Daimonji for one of the best aerial views of Kyoto. The summit reaches 466 meters (1,528 feet) and is considered a premier place to see the autumn leaves change colors.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

After breakfast, you will be free for leisure. You may make your own way to Osaka Kansai Airport via Haruka Express Train – train tickets included.

Breakfast

Note: If you would like for a private airport transfer to be included, please contact us to make the arrangements.