We wanted to spend time on the Kumano Kodo trail while in Wakayama. Hiroyuki not only led us on a great hike, he also served as a photographer so we finally have pictures of the two of us together on this Japan journey. Plus, his knowledge of the area made every stop interesting and fun!

Hiroyuki T.

I was a long day but I am glad that you liked the rocks, fishing villages, tuna lunch, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, Shrines and the Waterfall. I was very surprised to see that your husband is fit enough to walk through all the uphill and the downhill. He is 7 years older than me, but he is fitter than me. Tell him to stay fit so that he will be able to come back to Wakayama to stay at Marriott.

Arine C.

5 / 5

Dec 5, 2025

Kumano Kodo Trail between Takijiri and Takahara

Dec 5, 2025

Kumano

3 hours

Customized

“Kumano Kodo Customised Tour”

Keiji is a friendly & experience tour guide. He shared lots of interesting local cultural & custom along our tour. He is also taking good care of customers by pr

Thomas C.

5 / 5

Nov 19, 2025

Kumano Kodo Entance Course, NYTimes Must Travel Experience

Nov 19, 2025

Kumano

6 days

“Great experience - Koyasan and Kumano Kodo with Keiji”

We had done hiking in Japan before - Nakasendo as well as Mount Hangetsu on Lake Chuzenji - but Kumano Kodo was a highlight of hiking. Over a couple of months we had been able to plan the route with our guide Keiji. He was great help in finding the right accommodations, organize transportation, and plan the three day hiking on Nakahechi trail. Everything worked perfectly, and we appreciated Keiji’s insights and knowledge of the origins of this unique 1’000 year old pilgrimage route, as well as his guidance at the temples of Koyasan. Starting on the holy mountain, and spending a night in a temple - Shukubo Yochiin was excellent - was a great preparation for the quite demanding hikes on the Nakahechi trail. We had respect for the challenges - doing about 55km and 2’700 meters in elevation requires a bit of preparation - but thanks to Keiji’s intimate knowledge of the trail and his ease of communicating with hikers from other groups, it was an immensely satisfactory experience. Doing Kumano Kodo in mid-November, lucky with great weather, was a wonderful experience, and part of this was the joy of meeting people from other countries equally enjoying the hikes, the shrines and temples, the extremely well kept trails, and the (almost) spirituality of the forests. Thanks for making our journey a success Keiji! Thomas C.

Keiji H.

Thomas, his wife, and I enjoyed a beautiful six-day trip to Koyasan and Kumano Kodo during the late autumn, when the autumn leaves were at their peak. Before the trip, we spent three months discussing the details online, searching for hotels and temple lodging with limited availability due to the busy season, deciding which hiking routes to take, and figuring out logistics like river descents, luggage transfers, and transportation via trains and taxis. During the trip, we didn't have big troubles, and any small issues were resolved through open communication between the guests and the guide, finding solutions together. As they frequently enjoy hiking in Switzerland, Thomas and his wife handled the demanding Kumano Kodo hike—55 km and 2,700 meters of elevation gain over three days—effortlessly. They enjoyed conversations with other hikers in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. They also have a deep understanding of Japanese religion and culture, so they truly enjoyed conversations about the Buddhist teachings, paintings, and artworks at Koyasan, as well as the natural beauty along the Kumano Kodo. During our breaks and meals, I had the privilege of hearing about their extensive professional and research experience, which broadened my perspective. I also learned about their life in Switzerland and their past travels around the world and Japan. Both Thomas and his wife were kind to everyone we met, including the locals, hotel staff, and taxi drivers, engaging in warm and heartfelt conversations. I hope they return next time in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Thank you for the opportunity to guide. Keiji H.