Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
CJXK
Start City:
Kyoto
End City:
Osaka
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
8 days
Age Requirement:
15+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
12
Physical Rating:
3 - Explorer
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jun 15, 2024 | Saturday, Jun 22, 2024 | $3,840 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 07, 2024 | Saturday, Sep 14, 2024 | $3,475 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 21, 2024 | Saturday, Sep 28, 2024 | $3,615 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 28, 2024 | Saturday, Oct 05, 2024 | $3,475 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 12, 2024 | Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 | $3,475 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 | Saturday, Oct 26, 2024 | $3,890 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 26, 2024 | Saturday, Nov 02, 2024 | $3,475 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 02, 2024 | Saturday, Nov 09, 2024 | $3,905 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 09, 2024 | Saturday, Nov 16, 2024 | $3,340 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 16, 2024 | Saturday, Nov 23, 2024 | $3,340 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Apr 05, 2025 | Saturday, Apr 12, 2025 | $3,720 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, May 10, 2025 | Saturday, May 17, 2025 | $3,575 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 | Saturday, May 31, 2025 | $3,575 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 07, 2025 | Saturday, Jun 14, 2025 | $3,575 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 21, 2025 | Saturday, Jun 28, 2025 | $3,575 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 06, 2025 | Saturday, Sep 13, 2025 | $3,720 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 20, 2025 | Saturday, Sep 27, 2025 | $3,720 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 04, 2025 | Saturday, Oct 11, 2025 | $3,720 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 | Saturday, Oct 25, 2025 | $3,720 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Nov 01, 2025 | Saturday, Nov 08, 2025 | $3,575 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Apr 04, 2026 | Saturday, Apr 11, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, May 09, 2026 | Saturday, May 16, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Saturday, May 30, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 06, 2026 | Saturday, Jun 13, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Jun 20, 2026 | Saturday, Jun 27, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 05, 2026 | Saturday, Sep 12, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 | Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 03, 2026 | Saturday, Oct 10, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 | Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 | Saturday, Nov 07, 2026 | $3,325 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
Call or submit a quote for award-winning value and service!
Book With Flexibility
- Peace of Mind
Avoid fees and frustration with cancellations up to 56 days before departure on select eligible trips and easy deposit transfer. - Change Destination / Vacation
Change to a different destination or vacation. - Change Dates
Choose new departure dates if your plans change. - Great Service
Award-winning service, low prices, client satisfaction
Tour Itinerary
Stray off the tourist trail with an eight-day trekking adventure on some of the ancient pilgrim routes in Japan. The Koya-san and Kumano Kodo treks take you deep through the wilderness and into the mountainous landscapes of Honshu, as well as provide insight into the strong connection with past and present pilgrims hiking these historic routes. Along the way, stop by peaceful temples and tranquil monasteries, soak in traditional onsen and discover the cultural hubs of Kyoto and Osaka. This small-group adventure will give you both a physical and cultural workout around the best of enchanting Japan.
-
Day 1
KyotoKonnichiwa! Welcome to Kyoto, Japan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you have some free time, step out onto the streets for your first taste of this beautiful city. Originally founded as Heian-kyo – ‘tranquility and peace capital’ – in AD794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years before the emperor and government relocated to Tokyo. Because of this, Kyoto is rich in history, with over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens. After the meeting tonight, perhaps head out for your first taste of traditional Japanese food. As the millennium-long home of the imperial kitchen, Kyoto is known as the centre of Japanese culinary tradition, so you’re sure to have a delicious meal wherever you go.
-
Day 2
Kyoto (Hiking)Get active this morning with a walk to the eighth century Shimogamo Shrine – located right at the intersection of the Kamo-gamo and Takano rivers. The shrine is dedicated to the god of harvest and holds many rites around purification and agricultural produce, and this visit will provide you an introduction to Shintoism – an indigenous belief system connecting ancient past and present Japanese culture together. Continue onwards to renowned Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, to see Japanese garden design at its best and learn about the key principles of Japanese Zen. Afterwards, take a short but steep hike up behind Ginkaku-ji for some scenic views over Kyoto. On your way back to the hotel, walk along Philosopher’s Path, lined with cherry blossom trees, and if there’s time, stop by two other Zen temples. Today’s introduction to the importance of Buddhism and Shintoism in Japanese culture will inform some aspects of your hiking trails in the days to come, so listen up!
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
Koya-san (Hiking)Leave your accommodation after breakfast and take a train (approximately 2.5 hours) to Kii-hosokawa Station in the Koya-san district, ready for your forest trek. Koya-san is the name given to a monastic complex in the Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park, and is one of Japan’s most sacred sites. Begin your 11-kilometre trek on the Koya-san Choishi Michi trail, passing by stone signposts (choishi), which stand every few hundred metres to help the original pilgrims find their way. After approximately 4.5 hours, you’ll reach Daimon Gate – a two-storey crimson gate that marks the entrance to Koya-san. Being the centre of Shingon Buddhism, Koya-san is steeped in centuries of history, and you’ll be able to learn about its role as an active spiritual centre this afternoon. Tonight you will stay in traditional shukubo (temple stay) accommodation, and enjoy a shiojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) meal provided by your hosts.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
YunomineThis morning, you’ll have the chance to participate in the monastery’s morning prayers, before making tracks to Yunomine Onsen by private vechicle. This 4.5-hour journey weaves through the Koya-san and Kumano Kodo mountains, so you’ll definitely want a window seat. Yunomine is an ancient onsen town that forms part of the Kumano Kodo trail – of which you will be trekking in the coming days. Yunomine Onsen has such a long history that one of its onsen baths, Tsuboyu, is designated as a World Heritage-listed site. Historically, pilgrims would perform purification rituals in the hot spring water as part of the religious process of their pilgrimage. Today you’ll also get to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha – one of the three grand Shinto shrines on the Kumano Kodo.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
Kumano Kodo to Koguchi (Hiking)Embrace an early start as you’ll hike part of the historic Kumano Kodo today. The Kumano Kodo is one of only two World Heritage-listed pilgrimage routes in the world, the other being the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago) in Spain. This morning, transfer to Ukegawa by bus (a short 15-minute ride), then begin hiking this pilgrimage route to Koguchi. The first 5 kilometres are a gradual uphill to Hyakken-gura, then it’s an undulating trail to the Sakura-toge Pass for around 3.5 kilometres. After this, it will mostly be downhill until you reach Koguchi. Today’s trails are surrounded by natural forest, full of cedar and cypress trees, and upon reaching the Hyakken-gura peak, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the mountainous terrain of Wakayama.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
Kumano Kodo to Kii Katsuura (Hiking)New day; new trail – get ready for another full-day hike on the sacred Kumano Kodo. For around the first 3 hours, it’s a steep uphill climb, rising to over 800 metres. After reaching the Echizen-toge Pass, follow the ridge of the forest for another couple of kilometres until you reach the highest point at Funami-jaya teahouse (868 metres). Continue mostly downhill for approximately 4.5 kilometres to Nachi Taisha – another of the three Kumano shrines, and probably the most photographed because of the nearby waterfalls that cascade in the background. Enjoy the peaceful scenery and sense of accomplishment before heading by taxi to Kii Katsuura this afternoon. Your accommodation this evening is a Japanese-style guesthouse.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 7
OsakaIn the morning, visit the local tuna market at Kii Katsuura, where tuna from the cool waters of the Pacific is traded daily, before you hop on a train and rest your legs for the long journey to Osaka (approximately 5 hours). You’ll hit Osaka around lunchtime, just in time to head on a walking tour with your leader to the famous Dotombori neighbourhood, which is the city’s most popular shopping, food and entertainment district. At night, this district is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku crab. How about getting a group of your travel pals together for a night of food, drinks and possibly some karaoke!
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
OsakaWith no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time of the day. Hotel check-out time is usually around 10 am, however if you have later onward connections, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception during the day.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
- Kyoto - Shimogamo Shrine
- Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi)
- Kyoto - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- Kyoto - Mt. Daimonji-yama hike
- Koya-san - Koya-san Choishi Michi trail
- Koya-san - Okuno-in Mausoleum
- Kumano Kodo - Kumano Hong? Taisha
- Kumano Kudo - Hiking
- Kumano Kudo - Hiking
- Osaka - Dotombori District walking tour
- Kii Katsuura - Tuna Market
Meals
6 Breakfast(s) Included
2 Lunch(es) Included
5 Dinner(s) Included
Style: Original
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.
Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.
The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.
The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations
Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.
Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.
Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.
Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.
Call Us Now 1-800-935-2620
How It Works
Vacationing has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a dedicated travel consultant from AffordableTours.com
1. Free Quote
Find your perfect trip on our website and simply request a free quote. Need to speak to a live person? Call us 7 days a week at 1-800-935-2620. No robots here!
2. Dedicated Travel Consultant
Your personal travel consultant will reach out and be your point of contact for your entire travel experience from start to finish. Did we mention you'll be working with an award winning team? Sweet!
3. Lowest Price Guaranteed
Because we're one of the largest sellers of travel, we're able to give you a discount on your vacation package. No one beats our prices!
4. Stress Free Travel
Knowing you got the best deal, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and enjoy your vacation!
Intrepid is awesome. Our guide was superb. Everything went smoothly!