Tour in Japan
— Kinki

Morning Upon your arrival in Osaka, we will meet you at Kansai International Airport to join your tour leader and fellow cyclists. We will then travel south by vehicle toward the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture, heading for the Kumano Kodo region. Along the way, you will witness a gradual transformation in the scenery—shifting from urban landscapes to coastal vistas and lush mountain forests—as we officially commence this pilgrimage journey.

Afternoon In the afternoon, we will arrive at our hotel, situated near the scenic Shirahama Coast. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this hotel is a renowned local resort celebrated for its spectacular ocean views. After checking in, you are welcome to take some time to rest, adjust to the time difference, and relax your body and mind in preparation for the upcoming hiking and cycling legs of the trip.

In the evening, as dusk falls, we will host a welcome dinner to kick off our journey. In a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, we will savor local Japanese delicacies and fresh seafood, get to know our fellow travelers, and officially raise the curtain on our upcoming days of cycling and hiking along the Kumano Kodo.

Morning After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will head to one of the most iconic routes of the Kumano Kodo: the Nakahechi route. Since ancient times, this path has served as a vital pilgrimage route connecting the interior of the Kii Peninsula with the Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano). Trodden by countless believers and ascetics throughout history, it remains the most classic and quintessential section of the entire Kumano Kodo network.

Today's hike begins at Takijiri-oji, a site famously known as the "Gateway to the Kumano Kodo." We will follow the ancient stone paths winding through the mountains, traversing tranquil forests and undulating terrain, to immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of this thousand-year-old pilgrimage route. Along the way, we will encounter small shrine ruins and trail markers scattered throughout the woodlands. These sites—known as Oji shrines—served as crucial waypoints where pilgrims in centuries past would pause to offer prayers and take their rest.

Afternoon At midday, we will pause along the way for a light meal to refuel. After a brief rest, we will continue our journey, following moss-covered ancient paths and trails winding through cedar forests as we slowly approach today's destination: Chikatsuyu-oji Ruins. Once a vital way station on the Kumano pilgrimage route, this site retains an atmosphere of profound tranquility and solemnity to this day.

Upon completing today's hike, we will return to our hotel to rest, giving our legs a chance to recover and preparing ourselves for the upcoming cycling and exploration legs of our Kumano Kodo adventure.

Morning After enjoying breakfast at the hotel early in the morning, we will venture deeper into the Kumano Kodo to reach today's hiking trailhead: Hosshinmon-oji. Regarded as the pivotal gateway to the sacred precincts of Kumano Hongu Taisha, this site has historically symbolized a profound shift in the pilgrim's mindset—marking the transition from the mundane world into the realm of the divine.

Setting out from Hosshinmon-oji, we will proceed gently along the well-preserved ancient path. Compared to the mountain trails of the previous day, this section of the route is more gentle and undulating. Winding through tranquil forests, rural landscapes, and tea plantations, the path reveals ancient stone stairways, small wayside shrines, and traditional rural dwellings, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the unique serenity and historical aura of the Kumano Kodo.

As the path gradually descends toward the Kumano River basin, panoramic vistas of distant mountains and river valleys begin to unfold before us. Eventually, we will arrive at the most significant destination of our journey: Kumano Hongu Taisha. As one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan), it stands as one of Japan's most sacred and revered shrines. Upon completing our worship here, we officially mark the successful conclusion of this pivotal stage of our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage.

Afternoon In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the nearby Otorii (Great Gate) at Oyunohara. This magnificent structure—the largest torii gate in Japan—stands in quiet majesty along the banks of the Kumano River, serving as a powerful and enduring symbol of the Kumano faith.

Morning Following breakfast, our journey continues as we embark on the cycling portion of our tour. Setting out from Kumano Hongu Taisha, we will cycle eastward along the Kumano River basin toward the coast, officially continuing our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage on two wheels.

The route primarily follows river valley roads and mountain byways, offering a cycling pace that is relatively comfortable and relaxed. Along the way, you will be treated to the unique natural scenery of the Kii Peninsula: river valleys embraced by mountains, tranquil rural hamlets, and expansive vistas that gradually stretch out toward the coast. We will follow the course of the Kumano River—a waterway that has served as a vital transport route for Kumano pilgrims since ancient times, and which today remains a crucial link connecting the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano.

Afternoon As our ride brings us closer to the coastline, we will arrive at the second of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano on this journey: Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Located in the city of Shingu, this shrine stands as one of the central hubs of the Kumano faith; its vivid vermilion pavilions stand out strikingly against a backdrop where mountains, river, and sea converge. Upon arrival, you may offer your prayers within the shrine precincts, immersing yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of this historic sanctuary and creating lasting memories of this Kumano Kodo journey that spans both mountain forests and the coast.

Morning After breakfast, we embark on the final day of our cycling journey, riding from Kushimoto eastward along the southern coast of the Kii Peninsula toward Nachikatsuura. The route covers a total distance of approximately 47.5 km with an elevation gain of about 611 meters; the overall pace is comfortable, allowing you to admire the Pacific coastline, charming fishing villages, and the scenic interplay between mountains and sea along the way.

As our ride nears its conclusion, this journey—which has woven together the Kumano Kodo, the coastline, and the rich culture of pilgrimage—will come to a fulfilling close in Nachikatsuura.

Morning After enjoying breakfast at the hotel early in the morning, we will pack our belongings and then travel by vehicle back to Osaka. Along the way, we will take one last look at the scenic mountains and seascapes of the Kii Peninsula, bringing this cycling and hiking journey along the Kumano Kodo to a perfect conclusion.

Upon our arrival in Osaka, we will provide a group transfer to Kansai International Airport, where we will assist you with departure formalities. This marks the official conclusion of our Kumano Kodo cycling and hiking pilgrimage tour. We hope this journey—which combined a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route with secluded mountain forests and coastal scenery—will remain an unforgettable cycling memory for you.