滉一JAPAN BY KOICHI
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← All walksKoguchi → Ukegawa

The mountain, and the time it takes.

A full day on the Kogumotori-goe, crossing the ridges between Koguchi and Ukegawa on one of the quietest stretches of the whole Kumano Kodo.

  • 13 km
  • 5–6 hours
  • Challenging
  • On request
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Why this walk?

01

The Kumano Kodo without the crowds

This section sees a fraction of the walkers that the Hongu approach does. For long stretches you will hear nothing but the forest.

02

A real mountain day

Around 13 kilometres and close to 700 metres of climbing. This is a walk you finish tired, in the good way.

03

Time enough to think

Five or six hours of walking changes what the day feels like. Long pilgrimages are made of days like this one.

The journey

  1. KoguchiThe start, on the banks of the Akagi-gawa river.
  2. Kowase bridgeThe trail leaves the valley and begins the long climb.
  3. Sakura-jayaThe remains of an old teahouse where pilgrims once rested.
  4. Hyakken-guraA lookout over ridge after ridge of Kumano mountains.
  5. UkegawaThe descent ends on the banks of the Kumano-gawa river.
A special moment

A quiet moment on the way — from spring 2027.

From spring 2027, Koichi plans to add a short ceremony to each walk. Dressed as a yamabushi, he will sound the horagai — the traditional conch shell — for about a minute at a meaningful point along the trail.

The yamabushi have been connected to the Kumano mountains for centuries, and the sound of the horagai has long been part of practices tied to protection and to entering sacred ground. This is not meant as a performance for visitors. It is a small, quiet pause before continuing the pilgrimage.

Koichi begins his mountain ascetic training in the summer of 2026. Until it is complete, this moment is not yet part of the walk.

Is this walk right for you?

This walk is a good fit if…

  • You already have some hiking experience.
  • You are comfortable walking for five to six hours.
  • You want solitude more than famous views.
  • You have already walked a shorter section of the Kumano Kodo.
  • You are prepared for steep, uneven and sometimes slippery ground.

Why walk with Koichi?

  • English / EspañolGuided in the language you are most comfortable in.
  • Local insight & historyMore than facts — context, culture and meaning.
  • Quiet, personal experiencePrivate walks. No large groups, ever.

What's included

  • Private guide with Koichi
  • Guiding in English or Spanish
  • Route planning before the walk
  • Local history and pilgrimage stories
  • Personal route notes
  • WhatsApp or email support before the walk

Not included

  • Transport to and from the trail
  • Meals and drinks
  • Accommodation
  • Entrance fees, where they apply
  • Luggage transfer (can be arranged on request, charged separately)

Walk details

Distance
13 km
Walking time
5–6 hours
Elevation
+690 m / −670 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Group
Private (1–4 people)
Price
On request

Official Kumano Kodo rating: 4 of 5

Koichi will confirm the price for your dates and group size before anything is booked.

Ready for a full day in the mountains?

Tell Koichi your dates and group size. He will confirm availability and talk through whether this walk is the right fit for you.

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Koguchi → Ukegawa | Japan by Koichi