Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage

Walk a section to leave you wanting more

Jemma King Nov 09, 2016 - 2 min read

Fact, stretching makes you look cooler like this

Sun shedding some light on what lays ahead

A small shrine to protect the nearby town

The forest here is like something from the movies

You can follow these markers every 500m up the hill

Waroda-ishi Rock now listed as a world heritage landmark

It gets slightly cooler here so bring some layers!

This is the bus you need to take from Shingu City, check your return trip timetable!

Good view from the bus stop on the way home

More often than not in Japan, you run out of time to see everything that you want to in a single visit. If the 5 heritage listed sites, spiritual significance and scenery of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage interest you but you do not have a week to complete the journey, there is no need to panic. Sections of the trail can be tackled to get a glimpse of what it offers to help you plan a return trip for next time.

I walked with some fellow travellers for a few hours up the Ogumotori-goe (Koguchi to Nachisan) section of the trail and it left me wanting more. This section starts at the small town of Koguchi which can be accessed by bus from Shingu or Hongu areas. Check the timetable at Shingu Station for an up to date version. It takes roughly 6-8 hours walking time to complete the entire section and you should book ahead if you are waiting to stay the night at Koguchi or Nachisan. I would highly recommend a guide from Shingu if you would like insight into the special significance of this trail.

Here are some of the highlights from the section I completed.