10 Reasons to Walk the Kumano Kodo with GirlsTrek
Onsens in Japan | GirlsTrek
Japan has a way of getting under your skin.
🌏 Cultural & Heritage · 👯 Women’s Journey ·💪 Trek Strong
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights Activity Level: 4
It could be the quiet rhythm of a temple bell. The ritual of slipping into a steaming onsen after a day on the trail. The taste of something you've never tried before. The kindness of a stranger. The sight of ancient stone steps disappearing into a forest of towering trees.
Or perhaps it's the feeling of walking somewhere that has been walked for centuries before you.
The Kumano Kodo is one of those journeys.
Deep in Japan's Kii Peninsula, this ancient pilgrimage network winds through sacred forests, mountain villages, shrines and beautiful countryside. It is a walk that invites you to slow down, look around and experience Japan beyond the bright lights and busy streets.
And when you walk it with GirlsTrek, you don't just get the trail. You get the whole experience.
Here are our top 10 reasons to walk the Kumano Kodo with GirlsTrek.
1. You'll experience a very different side of Japan
Tokyo and Kyoto are incredible, but there is another Japan waiting beyond the cities.
The Kumano Kodo takes you deep into the Kii Peninsula, where ancient forests, quiet villages, mountain trails and sacred shrines replace the crowds and city noise.
You'll begin with a taste of Osaka, explore the backstreets and local food scene, then travel towards the mountains and the gateway to the Kumano Sanzan.
This is Japan at a slower pace.
A Japan where the journey matters just as much as the destination.
2. You'll walk through an ancient pilgrimage landscape
2. You'll walk through an ancient pilgrimage landscape
The Kumano Kodo isn't simply a hiking trail. It is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that have been walked for centuries.
As you follow the Nakahechi route, you'll pass historic Oji shrines, mossy streams, stone steps and forest paths, making your way towards the sacred Kumano Hongu Taisha.
There is something incredibly special about putting one foot in front of the other along a path with such a deep sense of history and spirituality.
You don't have to be religious to feel it.
You simply have to be there.
3. The scenery will stop you in your tracks
There are the forests.
The mountains.
The moss-covered streams.
The tea plantations and terraced fields.
The panoramic views.
And then there is Nachi Falls.
After a challenging day on the trail, arriving at one of Japan's most spectacular waterfalls is a moment you'll remember for a very long time.
The scenery changes constantly, which is one of the joys of walking the Kumano Kodo. One moment you're deep in a tranquil forest; the next you're looking across the landscape or emerging into a small village.
It's the kind of scenery that makes you grateful you chose to walk.
4. You'll discover Japan through its food
One of the best ways to understand a place is to eat your way through it.
And on the Kumano Kodo, food is part of the adventure.
From local markets and regional specialities to bento lunches on the trail, fresh seafood and an evening exploring Japanese dining culture, there are plenty of opportunities to taste your way through the journey.
We'll even visit the famous tuna market at Kii-Katsuura, where you can get close to the action and see an important part of local fishing life.
And, of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to discover Japanese food with your fellow GirlsTrek travellers.
Because everything tastes better after a day of walking!
5. You'll discover the magic of the Japanese onsen
Imagine this.
You've spent the day walking through ancient forests and climbing mountain trails.
Your legs are tired.
You've earned your dinner.
And then you slip into a steaming Japanese onsen.
Bliss.
On this GirlsTrek journey, we stay in Kawayu Onsen and have the chance to enjoy the wonderful Japanese tradition of soaking in mineral-rich hot springs.
It's one of those experiences that becomes part of the memory of Japan.
The walk.
The warmth.
The relaxation.
The conversation.
And that feeling of being completely present in the moment.
6. You'll experience Japan with women who love adventure too
One of the best things about travelling with GirlsTrek is that you never have to convince anyone else why you want to get up early, walk for hours, climb a mountain or spend your holiday exploring somewhere new.
You're surrounded by women who have also chosen adventure.
Some may arrive travelling solo.
Some may come with a friend.
Some may be celebrating a milestone or simply deciding that now is the time to do something they've always dreamed of.
But everyone arrives with the same spirit of curiosity.
And somewhere along the trail, strangers become walking companions, walking companions become friends, and the stories begin to flow.
7. You can challenge yourself without having to organise everything yourself
The Kumano Kodo is a genuine walking adventure.There are steep climbs, long days and challenging terrain. One of the trekking days covers around 16 kilometres with significant elevation gain, while the trek towards Nachi Falls includes a particularly demanding climb.
It's a challenge.
But you don't have to carry the mental load of organising it.
GirlsTrek takes care of the logistics so you can concentrate on the experience.
The transfers.
The accommodation.
The luggage forwarding.
The trail logistics.
The local transport.
The planning.
We've thought about the details so you don't have to.
You simply need to turn up, put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the journey.
8. You'll have the confidence to explore beyond the trail
The adventure doesn't stop when the hiking boots come off.
We'll begin in Osaka, with a fascinating backstreet walking tour that takes you beyond the usual tourist experience and into the everyday culture of the city.
Later, we'll spend time in Kyoto, including an early visit to the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha and its thousands of vermilion torii gates.
You'll also have free time to explore, shop, eat and discover Japan at your own pace.
And because you're travelling with GirlsTrek, you have the confidence of knowing there's a guide there to help you navigate the journey.
It's the freedom to explore, without having to figure everything out alone.
9. You'll have the GirlsTrek guides beside you
Our guides are more than people who lead the way.
They're your support crew.
Your logistics experts.
Your cheer squad.
Your walking companions.
And, quite often, the women who make sure you've had enough water, know what's coming around the next corner and remember that there's an onsen waiting at the end of the day!
They help you navigate the unfamiliar, keep the group connected and make sure you can relax into the experience.
Because when the logistics are taken care of, something wonderful happens.
You get to switch off.
You get to be present.
You get to experience the destination.
10. Because you'll come home with more than memories
This might be the biggest reason of all.
You won't simply come home having "done Japan".
You'll come home having walked through it.
You'll have felt the ancient stone beneath your feet.
Shared meals with new friends.
Soaked in onsens.
Walked through forests.
Visited sacred shrines.
Watched the world go by from a train window.
Tasted new food.
Laughed over dinner.
Pushed yourself up another climb.
And stood at the end of a trail knowing you did something you once only imagined doing.
That's what a GirlsTrek adventure is all about.
It's not just where you go.
It's who you become along the way.
Ready to walk the Kumano Kodo?
If Japan has been calling, perhaps this is your sign to answer.
Come for the ancient pilgrimage trails.
Stay for the food, the culture, the onsens and the scenery.
And leave with the memories, friendships and sense of achievement that come from sharing an adventure with a group of incredible women.
The Kumano Kodo is waiting.
And we'll walk it together..
Book Now! Next departure 31 October 2026