On this tour, we will visit Kumano Hongu to walk the Kumano Kodo and to pray at Kumano Hongu Taisha.
On the first day, we will visit Kumano Hongu Taisha which is one of the Three Shrines in Kumano and its former site Oyunohara.
We will stay overnight at a peaceful hot spring resort which is just next to a beautiful river. This hotel’s main feature is the hot spring on the river bed.
On the second day, we will walk to final part of the Kumano Kodo for 3 hours to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Kii Tanabe station Take JR Express train Kuroshio No3 which arrives at Kii Tanabe at 11:21. I will be on the same train.
- At the ticketing gate
DAY1 Kumano Hongu Taisha
This Shinto shrine enshrines the spirits of wood and water and is the first destination of the Kumano Pilgrimage
Kumano is also said to be a sacred site for resurrection, a lot of people have come to this shrine to pray for rebirth. Here, you can even ask for a special prayer (some donation required).
Kumano Hongu Taisha former site Oyunohara
This is the sacred place where the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine stood until it was swept away by a flood in the 19th century.
A sacred atmosphere surrounded by rivers and forests envelops you.
Kumano Hongu World Heritage Center
We will learn about the UNSECO World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and the Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" at this educational facility.
Kawayu Hot Spring Resort "Midoriya"
We will stay overnight at Kawayu Hot Spring Resort Midoriya. This hotel features hot springs on a beautiful and quiet river bed.
Day 2 Kumano Kodo between Hosshinnmon Oji and Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
We will start pilgrimage at Hosshinmon Oji. Oji is a small shrine which enshrines Kumano Deities. There are ninety-nine Oji along the Kumano Kodo. Hosshinmon Oji is one of the five most important Oji.
After praying at Hosshinmon Oji, we will head to Kumano Hongu Shrine for another three hours. It is the 7km long final part of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route.
Ending Point
JR Kii Tanabe station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
Insurance
Food and beverages
Transportation
Accommodation
Ask for details
As we will walk a lot, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Food and drinks are NOT included.
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, Kyoto, Osaka and other places as I was 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.
If you need a good guide in the Tokyo area, I have a friend on GoWithGuide I can recommend you!
Hong wei C.
“An enriching experience”
The tour lead by Hiro for me and my partner was relaxing and informative. We had the option to rent a car, hence it saved us a lot of time and we spent quite a while to explore the areas without feeling rushed. Hiro was very patient and explained about Buddhism and the historical significance of Mount Koya. The explanation was clear and was easily relatable as we can match it to what we see. Thank you Hiro for bringing us around!
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words, it was very nice meeting you today. It is good to know that you liked Koyasan, it's culture, food and others. Enjoy Wakayama Castle and Wakayama Ramen tomorrow!
Ellen T.
“Excellent day out with our guide Hiro!”
We had a fantastic day with our guide Hiro. We visited the Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama the Okochi Sanso Garden, Ryion-ji Rock Garden and the Golden Pavilion. Hiro coordinated the whole day and gave us lots of interesting information about each area. Hiro was very friendly and personable and spoke prefect English. Our family are very interested in the culture of Japan and had lots of questions and Hiro was very knowledgable and happy to answer them. We highly recommend Hiro as a guide for your day out.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was very nice meeting you and your family today. I am very glad to know that you liked the tour. There are a lot more to see in Kyoto. I hope that you will have anoffer nice day in Kyoto tomorrow and have nice days in Osaka as well. Hiro
Christian W.
“Interesting day trip to Mount Koya”
We had a great day with Mr. Hiroyuki, traveling from Osaka to Koyasan and spending the whole day there. We learnt a lot about the concepts of Buddhism and Shintoism, their history and how they developed and partially mixed. He knows a lot about it and explains it very well and understandably, writing down the main facts. Easy to follow. Of course their was plenty of time to ask questions and learn. Thanks for the very interesting day.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was really nice meeting you and your family, I am glad to know that you liked the tour. Did you go back to the Temple Complex after dark? Did you see a monk ringing the bell there? It is a quiet and beautiful place, isn’t it? You had a right choice. Koyasan is a place for people like you and your family. Hiro
$794/ per group