Kumano Kodo desde Takahara a Kumano Nachi Taisha

Your first day is a transfer to the trailhead in Takijiri-oji by train and bus, followed by a shorter but steep walk on the Kumano Kodo to the Takahara Settlement. 

The train departs at 09:01 from Osaka: the JR train travels down the west coast of the Kii peninsula. As you head south the scenery changes dramatically from the large urban centers to agricultural and natural regions, with distinctively less populated mountains. Watch for terraced orange and ume orchards along the way. 

The train arrives at 11h21 to Kii Tanabe. Visit Tanabe tourist information centre, on your left as you exit the station. There are paper copies of maps and transportation timetables as well as Dual Pilgrim credential to collect stamps along the trail. This is the best place to get the most up-to-date information before you begin your walk! Drop your bags off at the TANABE Tourist Information Center and they will be delivered directly to your accommodation. 

The bus departs at 12h50 from Kii-Tanabe and arrives at 13h28 to Takijiri. Visit the Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Centre, located across the river from Takijiri-oji. There are introductory exhibitions in Japanese and English about the pilgrimage route.

Now walk 4km between Takijiri-Oji to Takahara. This is a short but steep uphill walk from Takijiri to the ridge top settlement of Takahara. The trailhead is located behind the Takijiri-oji shrine pavilion. Takahara is a small settlement on a ridgeline with panoramic views of the Hatenashi mountain range. It is the site of the mystical Takahara Kumano-jinja shrine, one of the oldest buildings along this section of the pilgrimage route. The shrine grounds are home to giant camphor trees, over 800 years old! Takahara is known as «Kiri-no-Sato» (Village in the Mist) because the scenic vistas are often blanketed with mist. The valley below dramatically fills with fog, creating a beautiful sea of clouds.

This is the last morning of the visit. Spend some time in the morning to re-visit the shrine grounds and falls area before the crowds arrive or explore Katsuura before departure.

Take the bus from Nachisan to Katsuura (20mins). Katsuura Onsen is a fishing port on the rugged Pacific coastline. This coastal village is famous for its hot spring baths and world-class seafood. From Katsuura you can take the train back to Osaka or Nagoya.