Kumano is an important part of the World Heritage site “the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Kumano is in Wakayama Prefecture and I worked for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred site very well.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Osaka
Hotel pick up (time TBD)
In this tour, we will make a pilgrimage on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route Daimon-zaka to Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine, Nachi-san Seigantoji Temple and Nachi Waterfalls.
Shintoism, a religion unique to Japan, is rooted in nature worship. People feared and worshiped nature, which brings both blessings and calamities to them as gods and goddesses. The mountainous Kumano is full of natural wonders. Nachi waterfalls which is 133m high was a wonder for ancient people, people worshipped the waterfall itself as a goddess. As Shinto was organized, people built a shrine here. It is the origin of Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine.
I will meet you at your hotel in downtown Osaka
We will take the 7:40am JR train from Osaka and arrives at 11:40am JR Kii Katsuura (Kumano).
Kumano Kodo Daimonzaka Pilgrimage (1.5km 1hour)
Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine
Nachi-san Seigantoji Temple
Nachi Waterfalls
JR Kii-katsuura station
This tour will be finished at JR Kii-katsuura station.
You will be able to explore Kumano more or you can go back to Osaka by the 18:04 train which arrives at Osaka at 22:02pm.
Ending Point
At your hotel or JR stations, or other places (ask for details)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee, hotel pick up in Down Town Osaka
Insurance
Transportation approx JPY16,000 per person for round trip plus the same amount for guide
Lunch for guests and guide
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Please be NOTED that the price does NOT include transportation cost for both clients and GUIDE.
Transportation fare; approx JPY16,000; JPY14,200 FOR GUIDE
Lunch and dinner are also NOT included in the guiding fee.
Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
As this is a walking tour, comfortable shores are recommended. In this tour we will make a pilgrimage to Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine for 1.3km for 1 hour. The Daimon-zaka is a short (600m long and 267 steps) but scenic cobblestone staircase that runs from the valley bottom to the Nachisan Shrine-Temple complex. And we will walk on another 467 steps approach to Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine.
Hi!
I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations.
I am very good at cultural heritages.
And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area.
I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government.
I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional.
I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
Miriam R.
“A wonderful experience ”
Hiro, thank you for expertise, wealth of knowledge, patience, and flexibility. We had a fantastic time seeing Kyoto with you. You are an excellent guide!
Wendy M.
“Great day in Okayama and Kurashiki”
We had a great day out with Hiroyuki. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and took us to places we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Hiroyuki T.
It was a very beautiful day. I had a wonderful time both in Okayama and Kurashiki with you. It was really nice spending time with people who know how to enjoy culture. I hope see you again sometime in the near future. Hiroyuki TSUI
Brandon P.
“Had such a great time!! ”
Thank you so much, Hiro-san, for your insightful guidance through Nara. The group had a fantastic time and truly appreciated your deep knowledge and engaging explanations of the history behind each location. Your presence made the experience all the more enriching! I highly recommend Hiro-san to anyone looking for a knowledgeable guide in Kyoto and Nara. The experience is well worth the small extra cost, as it transforms your visit from simply seeing the sights to truly understanding their rich history. Hearing the stories behind each location makes the journey even more captivating and memorable.
Hiroyuki T.
Brandon san, Thank you very much for another kind message. It was really nice to had been with you and your group in Kyoto and Nara. Your group showed a lot of interest and respects to our culture and history. I really appreciated it. I hope I can be of help to you in the future again. Hiro
$343/ per group