Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi route)

In ancient time, Nakahechi was called Kiji, as a set of Kiiji route from Osaka.

Nakahechi route cuts across the Kii Peninsula from the west to the east to visit three grand shrines in Kumano.

This route was an official for emperors when they made pilgrimages.

You will see many small shrines (or shrine remains) called Oji, the branch shrines of the three grand shrines on the way. They stopped there to hold rituals for their safe passage offering dance, poem writing sessions and Sumo wrestling. You will also find many historical stories regarding the pilgrimages which were written in the travel logs of long time ago.

Since Nakahechi route consists of many hilly sections, you should prepare proper gears for hiking. If you are not good at walking on continuous uphills and downhills, we don’t recommend to take this route taking many days.

Takijiri-oji to Takahara Kumano Shrine

We’ll start at Kumano Kodo Kan Museum where you can learn more Kumano history, and visit Takijiri-oji, the tra […]

Takahara to Chikatsuyu Oji

Climb through the neighborhoods of Takahara and into the mountains. You’ll pass some oji sites on your way dow […]

Michino-eki to Tsugizakura-oji

From the roadside rest area we’ll take an easy walk in the woods to Gyuba-doji, the statue that’s the symbol o […]

Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu Grand Shrine

Kumano pilgrimage climax! Hosshinmon to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine Hosshinmon-oji is the gate to sacred area of […]

Dainichi-goe (Oyunohara to/from Yunomine Onsen)

This road’s use is said to have been limited to Shinto priests and mountain ascetics for religious fstiv […]

Akagi-goe (Hosshinmon Oji to Yunomine Onsen)

This path connects Hosshinmon Oji and Yunomine Onsen. With the exception of one steep area, you can enjoy fair […]

Hayatama Grand Shrine and Kamikura Shrine in Shingu

Tour of the Hayatama Grand Shrine, of the ‘Kumano Sanzan’ three Grand Shrines Ascend the 538 steps of the stee […]

Daimonzaka to Nachi Falls

We will park near the foot of Nachi Falls and walk up massive stone steps through a forest to see the falls. B […]

Fudarakusanji Temple to Nachi waterfall

This tour includes the Daimonzaka tour, but you will start at Nachi JR Station and retrace the path recorded i […]

Ogumotori-goe (Koguchi to/from Nachi)

This course is said to be the hardest of the Nakahechi routes. It connects the Nachi Taisha to Koguchi, a smal […]

Kogumo-tori-goe (Koguchi to/from Ukegawa)

This is the path that connects the small village of Koguchi to the Hongu Taisha.Compared to the Ogumo-tori-cou […]