Japan’s Sacred Healing Trail: Koya & Kumano
Experience a deeply personal journey through Japan’s spiritual heart. Begin with zazen meditation on a sacred mountain, enjoy monk-prepared shōjin-ryōri, walk ancient cedar forests along the Kumano Kodo, soak in mineral-rich onsen, and end with the thundering beauty of Nachi Falls framed by torii gates and mist. This journey is for those seeking peace, presence, and reflection. Each experience is crafted to be intimate, unique, and transformative.
Why choose us for your Koya & Kumano holiday?
* Private, curated experiences guided by experts in spirituality and local culture.
* Access to sacred sites and rituals not open to general tourists.
* A journey where stillness, nature, and heritage create an unmatched sense of luxury.
Itinerary
Day 1
Koyasan – Heights of Tranquility
Begin in Koyasan, a sacred temple town high in the mountains of Wakayama and the spiritual heart of Shingon Buddhism. Visit Kongōbu-ji, the head temple, then walk the moss-covered Okunoin cemetery, flanked by over 200,000 stone memorials and towering cedars.
Stay in a refined shukubō (temple lodging) where tradition meets tranquility. Participate in meditative practices such as Ajikan-Meiso and shakyo, reconnecting with your inner self. Dinner is an elegant shōjin-ryōri meal prepared by monks, served in serene silence.
Why Koyasan? Koyasan offers a rare spiritual escape, where centuries of history, sacred rituals, and natural beauty create deep stillness and reflection.
Day 2
Kohechi – Hatenashi – Skyline Sanctuary
Walk the ancient Kohechi route of the Kumano Kodo, a remote mountain path once traveled by pilgrims seeking purification. Arrive in Hatenashi, a secluded village where traditional farmhouses, drying persimmons, and hand-woven crafts evoke a timeless way of life.
Rest and rejuvenate at Yunomine Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring. For a deeper connection, visit the UNESCO-listed Tsuboyu, a small riverside sacred bath.
Why Kohechi? Kohechi is remote, rugged, and silent—an intimate, restorative luxury found in presence, not opulence.
Day 3
Kumano – Called by the Sacred
Begin at Tamaki Shrine, a secluded sanctuary amidst ancient cedars, including a sacred tree over 3,000 years old. Continue to Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara, the spiritual heart of Kumano, where the divine and natural worlds converge.
End the day with a hot spring soak, allowing body and spirit to fully unwind.
Why Kumano? These sacred sites blend mythology, history, and nature, offering profound stillness and spiritual resonance.
Day 4
Nachi-Katsuura – Where the Sacred Lives in Nature
Visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha, then witness the awe-inspiring Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall and a sacred natural deity. Explore Seiganto-ji and the iconic vermilion pagoda, where Shinto and Buddhist traditions intertwine.
Why Nachi-Katsuura? Few places in Japan embody the union of nature and divinity as seamlessly. The cascade, temples, and forested landscape provide a powerful, emotional finale to the journey.
Day 5
Shirahama – Savouring the Journey Home
Return to Osaka via scenic Shirahama. Enjoy local markets, fresh seafood, and artisanal produce, soaking in the tranquility of the coastal countryside. A final moment to reflect and savor the spiritual journey.
Optional Experiences
* Ajikan-Meiso Meditation & Shakyo at Koyasan temples
* Private guided forest walks along Kohechi
* Tsuboyu Sacred Hot Spring experience
* Cultural immersion at Seiganto-ji Temple rituals
Accommodation
* Shukubō temple lodging in Koyasan, traditional, tranquil, and spiritual
* Ryokan or onsen lodges in Kumano region, intimate stays surrounded by nature