Hosshinmon-oji → Kumano Hongu Taisha
The classic first walk
A gentle, symbolic walk into the sacred heart of Kumano — forest paths, mountain villages and the final approach to the Grand Shrine on foot.
View this walkPrivate guided walks through the Kumano Kodo with Koichi — a local bilingual guide and fellow pilgrim.
Three carefully chosen day walks on the Kumano Kodo. Quiet, meaningful, and guided by Koichi.
The classic first walk
A gentle, symbolic walk into the sacred heart of Kumano — forest paths, mountain villages and the final approach to the Grand Shrine on foot.
View this walkStone steps to the sacred waterfall
The famous cedar-lined stone staircase, then Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji and the tallest waterfall in Japan.
View this walkA deeper mountain experience
The Kogumotori-goe: a long, quiet mountain crossing for walkers who want the pilgrimage at its most demanding.
View this walkA small home for pilgrims in Kumano. Walk, rest, share — then continue your journey. Koichi is restoring an old house near the trail, and it should be ready in August 2027.
Follow the journey →Interviews with the people Koichi has walked with — why they came to Kumano, and what they found on the way.
Read the stories →「We hiked a section of the Nakahechi trail leading up to Hongu Taisha together. I had actually visited Hongu Taisha a couple of times before this tour, but walking the Kumano Kodo together with Koichi was a completely new experience which helped to deepen my appreciation for this beautiful area of Japan. His knowledge and friendly attitude make him an excellent travel companion.」
「Conocí a Koichi en Hongu, en mitad de mi propia peregrinación por el Kumano Kodo. Ese día ni siquiera estaba trabajando, pero se acercó con una naturalidad y amabilidad enormes, ayudando a cualquier peregrino que se cruzara con él. Habla español perfectamente y me ayudó incluso con los trámites del Dual Pilgrim (el reconocimiento por completar tanto el Camino de Santiago como el Kumano Kodo). Se nota que conoce la zona a fondo y que le apasiona de verdad compartirla. Si vas a hacer el Kumano Kodo, el Monte Fuji o Kioto, no hay mejor guía — y sobre todo, mejor persona.」
「楽しい時間をありがとうございました。私自身、人生初の熊野で緊張していましたが、ガイドさんのおかげで安心してトレッキングすることができました。途中、少し寄り道をしたところにある絶景スポットにも案内していただき、忘れられない思い出になりました。」
「幼少から憧れの熊野古道巡り、とても貴重な体験をさせていただきました。先人の想いを感じながら自身の脚を動かして、心地よい疲労感と幸福感に浸りました。」
Tell Koichi your dates and how many of you are walking. He will help you choose the right walk.
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