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Nature & Outdoor

Kumano Kodo Hongu Loop and Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine

Nature & Outdoor

Kumano

English

8 hours

Private tour (only you and your group)

Up to 10 people

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.

Hiroyuki T.

4.94 / 5

(89 reviews)

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

At JR Kii-Tanabe station (or at your hotel in Osaka, JR Osaka station, JR Tennoji station or JR Wakayama Station, ask for details)

10:00 AM

JR Kii-Tanabe Station

I will meet you at JR Kii-Tanabe station ( I can meet you at your hotel in Osaka, JR Tennoji station, JR Osaka station or JR Wakayama station early in the morning. Ask for detail).

Kumano is a sacred site for both Japanese indigenous religion Shintoism and Buddhism. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes connect ancient capital Kyoto and Kumano. People make a pilgrimage to Kumano from all over Japan. In this tour, we will walk on Kumano Kodo to make a pilgrimage to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine from Hossinmon Oji.

Why is Kumano so sacred? Why Kumano is a sacred site for two different religions? How had it become so? I will answer to these interesting questions on the spot.

12:30 PM

Hossin-mon Oji on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route

Hossinmon Oji marks the entrance to the most sacred area of Kumano.

Pilgrims who walked through Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route renewed their spirit here and continued their pilgrimage to Kumano. We also walk on the pilgrimage route for 4 km from here to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.

On the way, you will be able to have a distant view of the former site of Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine from Fushiogami Oji.

03:30 PM

Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

After following the same route as the ancient pilgrims, we will arrive at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine which is one of the Three Shrines In Kumano (Kumano Sanzan). It was once simply called the Deity of Kumano. It is said that it enshrines the spirit of the sun, water, or trees. Legend has it that it was founded 2,000 years ago, and it had been strongly influenced by Buddhism after the 7th century.

04:00 PM

Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine former site Oyunohara

Kumano Hongu Taisha was on the sandbank of a river until the shrine was washed out by a flood in 1889. After the flood, the survived four shrines buildings were relocated to the current location. Remaining here are the foundation of the shrine buildings which has a dignified atmosphere. Also, standing at the entrance to this place is the highest torii gate in Japan.

Ending Point

At the starting ponit

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guiding fee

What‘s not included

Insurance

Bus ride 5,000JPY round trip plus the same amount for guide

Food and drinks

Tour Important Information

As we will walk for about three hours, comfortable shoes are recommended.

Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.

Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch are NOT included in the guide fee.

Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.

Bus ride Kii-Tanabe-Kumano (round trip) 5,000JPY per person plus same amount for guide.

Important message from the guide

I am based in Wakayama and Osaka, but I will guide you around the country upon your requests. However, I will have to ask you to bear my transportation (and accommodation cost, if necessary).

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Kumano Tour Reviews

Soraya C.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2024

Zen & Pure Land Gardens in Kyoto, Ryoanji, Kinkakuji & more

Kyoto

8 hours

Apr 15, 2024

“Excellent tour of Kyoto”

We are a family from South Africa with 2 boys aged 13 and 10. We have just completed our tour with Hiroyuki. He was punctual, very professional , knowledgeable and flexible to our needs. We saw all the sites we wanted to and more including the Tori gates , Arashiyama, the market and we ended the tour with a Tea ceremony with a Meiko. He explained the significance and history of all the sites very well and was patient with the boys.Highly recommended

Hiroyuki T.

(89 reviews)

It was really nice meeting such a wonderful family like you today in Kyoto. I hope that you enjoyed the history and culture of Kyoto. As I explained, Japan is very beautiful in autumn. Please come back to Japan in autumn next time. There are a lot more that I want to show you. Thank you very much and have a nice trip.

Sharon L.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2024

Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Kyoto - from Osaka

Osaka

9 hours 30 min

Apr 15, 2024

“Great day in Kyoto!”

We had a great day trip going from Osaka to Kyoto on our 12-hour cruise stopover. Hiroyuki met us at Osaka port early in the morning, guided us through all the public transportation transfers, and showed us around Kyoto seamlessly on a very busy day in the city. I don’t know how we would’ve done this ourselves without his expertise. Thank you for a great time!

Norman H.

5 / 5

Apr 12, 2024

Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Kyoto - from Osaka

Kyoto

9 hours

Apr 12, 2024

“very knowledgeable”

i was particularly interested in the mix of religions and their origins within Japan and Hiroyuki broke it down with a much greater clarity than I was expecting. He also exhibited a great deal of patience given our impulsive changes as we were moving about through Kyoto.

Hiroyuki T.

(89 reviews)

Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice spending time with you in Kyoto. I appreciated our conversation at the tea house in Gion very much. I learned a lot from you. Please come back to Japan again. There are a lot more that I want to show you.