Hiking the Ancient Trails of the Kumano Kodo in Japan

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The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails that split and intertwine, allowing hikers some Robert Frost-worthy* decisions!

The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails that crisscross the Kie mountain range in Wakayama prefecture south of Kyoto. The paths date back more than 800 years and move from lush valleys and vast rocky riverbeds, up steep hills past waterfalls, and through quaint mountain villages nestled in dense forests. Along these paths are towns and small mountain villages with traditional full-board Japanese inns, called ryokan, allowing hikers to move along the trails at their own pace before soaking in natural mountain onsens before a pleasant night of rest atop tatami mats. Many stops along the trails are UNESCO heritage sites and in and of themselves are well worth a visit. Also worth noting is that this ancient trail network was historically used as a Buddhist pilgrimage to one of three major shrines and may be considered similar in purpose to the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain. Tiger and Bird are always simply searching for a good hike and found the scenery and unique experience enjoyable.

The Quaint Mountain Village of Yunomine in Wakayama, Japan

[Top]   [Ryokan Suggestions]   [Tsubo-yu Onsen]

A tourist strolling through the small mountainside town of Yunomine in Wakayama Prefecture

Yunomine (pronounced “you-nah-min-ayy”) is a delightful mountain village that Tiger and Bird immediately fell in love with. Surrounded by cozy Japanese inns and houses, a hot stream - fed by boiling, mineral-rich water rising naturally out of the ground - flows lazily down the hillside, creating plumes of steam in the frosty winter night air. Central to the town is a public onsen fed by the hot waters of the stream. The crown jewel of Yunomine is Tsubo-yu Onsen, a small wooden, partially open-air cabin built over the natural hot spring waters of the stream itself. Tsubo-yu is one of the oldest onsens in Japan (perhaps discovered more than 1,500 years ago according to our innkeeper) and holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiger and Bird strongly recommend that anyone who plans to hike the Kumano Kodo trail MUST book at least one night in this quaint and isolated mountain village.

Off to Japan! Traveling through Mie Prefecture and Wakayama on the Road to Kumano

[Top]   [Onigajo]   [Maruyama Senmaida]   [Waterfalls]   [Yunomine]

The Kumano River moving slowly through the vast, stony riverbed in Wakayama, Japan

Beautiful visages of exotic mountainsides shrouded in the fiery yellows and reds of autumn. Long, winding trails of the millennium-old Kumano Kodo pilgrimage paths snaking its way through untamed forests. Spectacular cliffs, and quaint villages nestled in the mysterious Kii mountains. Plumes of steam rising from naturally hot riverbeds gently heating the frosty night air. Yes, this is Japan. A rural and authentic Japan. Tiger and Bird were stoked. After several years of planning and multiple postponed starts, we were finally embarking on this magical trek across the ancient Kii mountain trails!