Highlights
- Spend two nights in luxury at a forest temple on Mount Koya
- Stroll the peaceful grounds of Banryutei, the largest rock garden in Japan
- Soak in the mineral-rich pools of the UNESCO-listed hot spring of Tsuboyu
- Relax in your luxury room at the seaside ryokan of Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima
- Hike to the towering cascades of Kumano Nachi Taisha's Nachi Falls
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Osaka, Transfer to Mount Koya, Shukubo Temple Stay Experience | Mount Koya |
| Day 2 | Guided Discovery of Mount Koya: Temples, Pagodas & Pilgrimage Trails | Mount Koya |
| Day 3 | Free Morning in Mount Koya, Transfer to Hongu, Kawayu Onsen Hot Springs | Hongu |
| Day 4 | Visit Kumano Hongu & Hike to Oyunohara, Transfer to Yunomine Onsen | Yunomine Onsen |
| Day 5 | Kumano River Cruise, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Tour, Transfer to Kii Katsuura | Kii Katsuura |
| Day 6 | Guided Hike of Daimon-zaka & Nachi Falls | Kii Katsuura |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Osaka, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Osaka, Transfer to Mount Koya, Shukubo Temple Stay Experience
Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city and a major commercial center known for its sleek architecture, mouthwatering street food, and endless shopping opportunities. Upon arrival, meet your private driver for your transfer to Mount Koya. The drive takes approximately one hour, and you'll be able to enjoy the scenery and relax in a luxury Mercedes vehicle.
Mount Koya features more than 100 temples and monasteries, towering cedar trees set against stone walkways, and a peaceful. spiritual vibe. Arrive and check in at the Ren'gejo-in Temple, a 4-star retreat that offers shukubo (temple lodging), allowing guests to interact with the monks who call the temple home and learn more about their daily lives. Their tastefully appointed rooms offer garden views, access to the public bath, and a delicious Asian breakfast.
After check-in, head out with your private guide to explore. You can roam around the temples, do a light hike along the quiet trails, or pay tribute to Kobo Daishi, the person who introduced Shingon Buddhism to Japan, at Okunoin Cemetery. Relax at your temple accommodations this evening amid the tranquil forest setting.
Day 2: Guided Discovery of Mount Koya: Temples, Pagodas & Pilgrimage Trails
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Discover more of Mount Koya today with a privately guided tour. Meet your guide after breakfast and start with a visit to Kongobu-ji temple—one of the best places on Mount Koya to soak up the serene, peaceful vibe. The temple is the headquarters of the Shingon sect, and its garden, Banryutei, is the largest rock garden in the country. Then, continue to Danjo Garan, Mount Koya's central temple complex consisting of more than 20 temples and pagodas, and home to the impressive 147-foot (45 m) Konpon Daito pagoda.
If getting out in nature interests you, you'll also have the option for a day hike along the Koyasan Choishi Michi, a 14-mile (23 km) trail that winds through the forest. Depending on your interest and physical condition, you can also take the shorter routes, which start from Kami-Kosawa Station or Kii-Hosokawa Station and take 3-5 hours to complete. Later, your guide will direct you to one of Mount Koya's restaurants, where you can dine on kaiseki-ryori (a traditional multicourse Japanese meal) or other delicious local dishes.
Day 3: Free Morning in Mount Koya, Transfer to Hongu, Kawayu Onsen Hot Springs
Start the day early by participating in the temple's morning prayers and enjoying a Buddhist vegetarian breakfast, then spend some time enjoying more of Mount Koya, immersing yourself in the scenery and spirituality. After that, it's time to check out of your lodgings and meet your guide for the drive to Kawayu Onsen, a small settlement and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the district of Hongu.
Upon arrival, you'll check in at the luxurious Kawayu Onsen Fujiya, a historic ryokan (inn) located near the Kumano pilgrimage route. You'll have the option of a traditional Japanese-style room with futon bedding or a modern room with western beds, all of which are furnished with tasteful decor and quality amenities. After check-in, you can visit one of their spacious indoor or outdoor hot spring baths, one of which is available to rent privately if you prefer.
Relax and regroup, then step out to see more of this charming hot spring town. Famed for its sweeping mountain views and one-of-a-kind onsen experience, you can explore the natural hot springs, which stay at the perfect temperature due to the Otogawa River's waters flowing in, or take a walk through town. Later, enjoy dinner at a local café or restaurant, then return to your ryokan to rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 4: Visit Kumano Hongu & Hike to Oyunohara, Transfer to Yunomine Onsen
This morning, meet your private driver to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha, the head shrine of over 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan. A quick drive takes you to Hosshinmon-oji, the outermost entrance, where you'll meet your guides and begin a three-hour hike along the Nakahechi route, which takes you through villages, fields, and tea plantations.
Arrive at the shrine and marvel at the wooden facade and cypress bark roofs that blend in perfectly with the surrounding forest. You'll have time to roam around the complex while you learn more about the religious traditions of this region, then make your way to the nearby Kumano Hongu Heritage Center for detailed information and exhibits about the area, and visit the largest torii gate in the world, which stands in the fields of Oyunohara.
Afterward, continue to your next destination, Yunomine Onsen, a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley and one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. You'll be staying at Yunominesou, a gorgeous ryokan with outdoor hot springs, personal attendants for guests, and traditional Japanese rooms with sliding paper screens, luxe floor cushions, and futon bedding. While here, you'll also have the chance to visit Tsuboyu, the only UNESCO-listed hot spring in the world, soaking in mineral-rich pools that pilgrims once used to purify themselves as they journeyed to holy sites.
Day 5: Kumano River Cruise, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Tour, Transfer to Kii Katsuura
Today's journey retraces the historic Kumano Kodo water pilgrimage route. Meet your private guide after breakfast and make the 40-minute drive to the Boat Tour Center, where you'll board a traditional flat-bottom boat for a cruise on the Kumano River. Your guide will share information about the region's history as you take in the sweeping views of Kumano's mountains and turquoise waters.
After the boat cruise, stop at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, part of the Kumano Sanzan shrines, along with Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Explore the incredible Shinto architecture and step into the shrine's Treasure Hall to admire more than a dozen national treasures. End with a climb of more than 530 stone steps to Kamikura-jinja. One of the oldest sacred places in the Kumano region, the shrine is said to be where the Kumano deities first descended to earth.
Later, continue to Kii-Katsuura and the fishing port of Katsuura Onsen. Known for its sweeping coastlines, hot springs, and world-class seafood, this charming district offers peaceful ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere. Arrive at Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima, a seaside ryokan located on a private island in Katsuura Bay. In addition to beautifully appointed rooms, amenities include a large outdoor bath that overlooks the bay, which makes for a perfect spot to watch the sunset. There's also a walking trail that takes you to a lookout point—after check-in, stretch your legs with a leisurely walk to its coastal views.
Day 6: Guided Hike of Daimon-zaka & Nachi Falls
Make the most of your last full day in Japan with a privately guided tour of the historic Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji temple, departing with your guide by private car to the starting point of the Daimon-zaka slope. You'll embark on a 1.5-hour walk that takes you along ancient stone paths and towering green trees. Arrive at Kumano Nachi Taisha, where you'll find incredible views of Japan's tallest single-tiered waterfall, Nachi Falls.
Visit the nearby Seiganto-ji temple, founded in the early fifth century and considered a sacred site and pilgrimage route, and climb to the top of the three-story pagoda for some truly astonishing views of the forest and waterfall. After savoring this final scenic hike, head back to Kii Katsuura, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.
Day 7: Transfer to Osaka, Depart
Your delightful journey through Japan comes to a close today. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to Osaka, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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