Things to do in Kumano Kodo

The price only includes transportation, it's pretty much self guided. I was the only English speaking person on the tour but the guide went out his way to ensure I understood. He was very kind and accommodating. Overall a very scenic tour, beautiful natural sights, gorgeous coastlines and the pagoda fits so well with the scenery. The waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful.

Excellent 1 day trip to Kumano Kodo. Great way to experience from Osaka on a 13 hour trip, out of which there is 8 hours of driving from and back Osaka. No problem at all as the driving was safe and comfortable. The trip is fulfilling and well planned with sufficient time to visit but don't take your own sweet time taking photos. Yan Lei is an excellent guide and a great driver. Good communication on timing and plans. Made it back on time to Osaka despite it being the Mountain day and Obon week. Highly recommended. Good for solo, couples and family. Suitable for all with a wide coverage of languages.

This Kumano Kodo day trip was a perfect experience, and I must highly recommend our guide, Yan! The guide is Chinese, so there was absolutely no language barrier throughout the entire trip. They served as both driver and guide, meticulously arranging everything, making the trip incredibly hassle-free. Before arriving at each attraction, the guide would provide detailed explanations of its history and key highlights. They thoughtfully advised us on how to best experience each site, what specific sights to focus on, and clearly communicated the duration of free time and the meeting time for our return. This meant we didn't have to worry about planning ourselves, and the pace of the trip was just right. The entire itinerary, from the service area, Kumano Hongu Taisha, Otorii, and collecting stamps at Oyu no Hara, to Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji Temple, Hiro Shrine, Daimonzaka, and Hayatama Taisha, concluding with a visit to the Totsukawa Onsen footbath, featured detailed and easy-to-understand explanations at every stop. The guide eloquently shared the cultural stories behind the Kumano Sanzan, allowing us to grasp the profound heritage behind these World Heritage sites, even without prior research. The guide's service attitude was gentle and attentive, and their driving was smooth and safe. They never took detours or rushed the itinerary. There was no pressure throughout the trip, allowing ample time for photos, leisurely strolls, and worship. At the end, there was even plenty of time to soak our feet in the footbath to relieve travel fatigue. I was initially concerned about the inconveniences of traveling alone in a foreign country, but thankfully, this Chinese-speaking guide provided meticulous care throughout the journey. The itinerary was both enriching and relaxed, allowing for a deep appreciation of the sacred Kumano landscape. The overall value for money was excellent. For anyone planning a day trip to Kumano, I strongly recommend Guide Yan!

I highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to experience the Kumano Kodo trail without getting too tired. This itinerary allows you to experience the essential routes, offering a rich blend of mountain and ocean views. The Kamesei Hotel, recommended by the travel agency, boasts incredible ocean views. I hadn't booked breakfast at the hotel, and our tour leader, Mr. Yan, even called the hotel on my behalf, which I greatly appreciate!

I had an amazing time with my guide, Kimi! Kimi was super knowledgeable and sweet during the tour, and was extremely engaging with my friend and I (we did a private tour for 2). We went to the tour knowing very little about the cultural significance aside from what we read online and finished a tour with a newfound appreciation for the Nachisan area. It is an understatement how much I enjoyed myself on this tour and I highly reccommend everyone to book this tour if they are going to see the nachi falls! Aside from the amazing guide, the tour company was also very responsive, providing email updates on who to contact and where to meet, making it very easy to find our guide on the day itself.

As soon as we boarded the bus, the drivers (two of them, indicating great attention to passenger safety) gave us a very nice pen. Our guide, Saki, was very kind to us, even taking photos for us, and she took special care of us because we were the only non-Japanese participants on the tour. The stops during the trip were well-timed, and we were offered a very generous and delicious bento box. The tour was very successful, with more than adequate visiting times, and during one of these stops, we were offered tea and mochi at a local shop. Highly recommended for a break from the chaos of Osaka and to immerse yourself in a magical world.