Kumano Kodo & Kumano Sanzan Full-Day Pilgrimage Tour

This tour was amazing with the sightseeing! That view with the temple and Nachi falls in the background is the highlight. However, you should take a few things into account. First, you will be spending a lot of time on the bus. The roads are in the mountains, meaning a lot of turns. If you suffer from motion sickness, take your meds with you and email the guide in advance if you would like to sit at the front. Second, take your favorite snacks with you. Third, take your headphones with you. I recommend eating a meal at the Nachi stop since that is the only chance for a proper meal. The good thing is that the guide gave neck pillows and also water, which was really nice. Also, I really appreciated that he had a Finnish audio guide! That is super rare. The guide spends all his time driving, so he plays the guides for everyone. He gave enough guidance to see the sights by ourselves. Lastly, check the weather forecast before going. With these in mind, you will have an amazing trip and incredible photos!

Today, I joined an international small group tour to Wakayama, and I really want to give this company a thumbs-up. The car was clean and tidy, making me feel relaxed as soon as I got in. The service was also very thoughtful and meticulous, making me feel at ease from boarding to the itinerary arrangements. What was most considerate was that this was an international group, with detailed explanations provided for different languages, so everyone could easily understand the itinerary. There were also small gifts and snacks, which showed great attention to detail. Especially thoughtful were the towels and socks provided after the foot bath. We followed classic routes all the way, and the arrangements were just right. We even encountered cute deer along the way, which made the mood exceptionally pleasant. The recommended restaurant for food even gave us a black sesame ice cream, which was incredibly delicious 😋. This trip to Wakayama, which I had been looking forward to, was truly perfect this time. 🌿

I had an incredible experience on the Kumano Kodo & Kumano Sanzan Full-Day Pilgrimage Tour, made even more memorable by our guide, Mr. Hanazawa. From the very beginning, his attention to detail and genuine care for everyone in the group stood out. He thoughtfully provided neck pillows at the start of the tour, which made the early journey so much more comfortable—such a rather than just a sightseeing trip. What truly impressed me was how accommodating he was until the very end. After a long day of walking, he even prepared free snacks and offered fresh socks so we could dry our feet—an incredibly kind and thoughtful gesture that everyone appreciated. Mr. Hanazawa goes above and beyond to make sure his guests are comfortable, informed, and well taken care of. If you’re considering this tour, I highly recommend it—not just for the beautiful pilgrimage route, but for the exceptional hospitality that makes the whole experience unforgettable.

This was an absolute stunning experience and tour. If you want something a little off the main path of popular Japanese tours, this is definitely a hidden gem that not a lot of people know about! Our tour guide Tai An was so thoughtful and took excellent care of us. The audio guide was interesting and explained the significance of each section. We were also handed pamphlets to read more information. The historic sites themselves were gorgeous and full of spiritual meaning. It was a rainy day, but this added more misty ambience and atmosphere to photos. By the end of the rainy day my shoes were a bit soaked, thank goodness our tour guide gave us a nice onsen foot bath to enjoy AND snacks AND tissues to dry off AND new socks to wear. I was so worried I would be so cold, but the tour guide saved the day. I ended warm and cozy and full of new impressions. Thank you so much for making a meaningful day!!

Amazing experience. If you don't have the time and energy to do the actual pilgrimage, this is the solution. We were able to visit the 3 Kumano Kodo grand shrines in 1 day, plus ending the trip in a relaxing footbath. The guides were very helpful in giving us directions and information about the places through prerecorded explanations. The trip was super worth it.

I bought the Kumano Kodo Mountain Day Tour and felt incredibly lucky to have met Mr. Hanazawa, a very thoughtful and dedicated driver and guide. Since the journey was long and involved a lot of driving, it was very convenient for international travelers that motion sickness medication was thoughtfully provided. Additionally, his explanations of the tourist attractions were very detailed. The last attraction even offered an unexpectedly thoughtful service. If you want to know what kind of thoughtful service it was, you'll find out by joining this tour – it's truly wonderful. By the way, my guide's name is Mr. Hanazawa. I want to say thank you to Mr. Hanazawa. Because of you, my trip was even more perfect. Mr. Hanazawa's driving skills were excellent, and the entire mountain road journey was very smooth.

J'ai participé à BEAUCOUP de visites dans BEAUCOUP de pays différents et celle-ci était l'une des meilleures !! Et la majeure partie était grâce à Hanazawa-san. C'est un chauffeur-guide très attentionné et professionnel. Étant donné que la visite implique de longues heures de conduite pour atteindre des endroits absolument époustouflants, il nous a donné des oreillers de voyage gonflables dès le début. De plus, à divers moments de la visite, il nous a offert de l'eau, des dorayakis, des chips et du thé. Je n'aurais vraiment pas pu demander un meilleur guide, et un meilleur chauffeur ! Il a si bien géré ces routes de montagne sinueuses !! Même s'il ne parle pas beaucoup anglais lui-même, j'ai TELLEMENT appris grâce à des enregistrements traduits qu'il diffuse dans le bus entre les arrêts. C'est une façon si intelligente de surmonter les barrières linguistiques. Maintenant, concernant les lieux… il n'y a pas de mots pour décrire leur magnificence ! Il faut y aller pour vivre cette grandeur !

Super! We had no idea what to expect from the beautiful photos, but this journey exceeded every expectation! The drive through southern Japan was a bit bumpy, but 100% worth it. Every single location was stunning and offered a truly Japanese experience with a relaxing little onsen at the end! Our guide was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. He alone deserves 5 ⭐, which makes the whole trip a solid 10/10 ⭐ for us! Huge thank you for this unforgettable adventure. My tip to anyone reading this: just book it and come on time! If you want a real, breathtaking taste of Japan 🇯🇵.

Standing before Kumano Hongu Taisha, one can feel an ancient and profound presence; at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, the intertwining of incense and sea breeze brings a different kind of tranquility; Nachi Taisha, on the other hand, seems to condense the power of mountains and waterfalls. Each shrine has its own rhythm and tone. When worshipping, it's not about hastily completing rituals, but about listening attentively to the dialogue between the shrine and nature. That feeling of being accepted and responded to is like a silent blessing. Nachi Falls and Autumn Foliage Nachi Falls cascades from a great height, its mist transforming into shimmering light particles in the sunlight, while the autumn leaves beside the waterfall glow like flames against the white curtain of water. Standing on the observation deck, with only the sound of water and wind in your ears, your gaze is stretched by the grandeur, and your heart feels cleansed. In that moment, time seems to thin out, all daily distractions are washed away by the waterfall, leaving only pure awe and emotion. The magnificence of Nachi Falls, the stability of the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and the splendor of the autumn leaves have become a lighthouse within me, reminding me that even amidst the hustle and bustle, I can find my way home. This pilgrimage is not an end, but a new beginning—to continue forward with clearer breath and a softer heart.

The driver Hanazawa was very kind, helpful, and friendly, and arrived on time. Thank you! The tour was amazing, even with a light rain. It was still incredible. You really need to experience the places to understand them. Everything was amazing. Next time I come to Japan, I'll definitely check to see what other tours they've added, but this one was certainly worth it. Beautiful memories! This is truly amazing 🙇🏻‍♂️