![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixta_127596970_M.jpg\")
The Nachi no Taki waterfall is a must-see sight. (Picture: kazukiatuko<\/a>\u00a0\/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf))<\/p>\nA UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route<\/p>\n
The Kumano Kodo is a network of pilgrimage trails on the Kii Peninsula in western Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site<\/a>. It\u2019s not a single trail, but paths linking villages, forests, mountain passes, and shrines. Walking along the Kumano Kodo has been an important religious rite for over 1,000 years.<\/p>\n The pilgrimage centers on three main shrines in the area collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan. These welcomed people from pretty much all walks of life, from commoners to emperors.<\/p>\n For your average Joe, going there was a chance to seek healing, guidance, or spiritual renewal<\/a>. For court nobles, it could be a way to show off one\u2019s devotion and status.<\/p>\n Picking a route and when to go<\/p>\n There are six routes in total, but the three main ones are Nakahechi, Kohechi, and Ohechi. You don\u2019t need to be religious to go on any of these; just as the Kumano Kodo is welcoming to all classes, it doesn\u2019t discriminate based on religion or spirituality.<\/p>\n Nakahechi is the best-known route and the easiest in terms of hiking difficulty. It\u2019s about 70 km (43 miles) long and takes about four to five days to walk. Meanwhile, Ohechi follows the southern coast and spans 122 km (75 miles). It\u2019s not as flat as Nakahechi, which makes it a bit more difficult, but it offers some amazing ocean views.<\/p>\n Kohechi is the steepest and most demanding of the three, being set along mountain paths. I\u2019d suggest this only for advanced hikers ready to spend seven to eight hours per day on the trail for four days total. On the plus side, the views from up high are unbeatable.<\/p>\n Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage<\/p>\n K\u014db\u014d Daishi and henro culture<\/p>\n Further south on the island of Shikoku is a different sort of pilgrimage trail\u2014one visiting Shikoku\u2019s 88 temples. Also known as Ohenro (\u304a\u904d\u8def), this roughly 1,200-km (745-mile) circuit follows the footsteps of the Buddhist saint K\u014db\u014d Daishi, or K\u016bkai, a monk and poet who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism.<\/p>\n Henro culture dictates the proper etiquette on what to wear, how to behave upon entering a temple, and so on. The traditional clothing consists of a triangular straw hat and a white pilgrim coat. There are also important ritualistic items: a Buddhist rosary, a sutra book, candles, and a walking stick (also called \u201cpilgrim sticks\u201d or kongotsue, \u91d1\u525b\u6756).<\/p>\n Those taking the pilgrimage also carry a stamp book, which helps pilgrims mark their journey as they visit each temple.<\/p>\n Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5\/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund<\/a> to join Unseen Japan Insider. You’ll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.<\/p>\n Not only for Buddhists and hardcore hikers<\/p>\n The traditional Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a deeply religious one. However, everyone is welcome to join the pilgrimage, even if they don\u2019t practice Shingon Buddhism. Just be sure to observe proper etiquette and be respectful<\/a>. All the better if you can join a group tour, since the tour guide can assist.<\/p>\n If done on foot, this pilgrimage trail usually takes about six weeks. Purists may insist that this is the only true way to do it, but not everyone can take months off work. So, to shorten the journey to 9-12 days, one could instead use buses, tours, bicycles, or a combination of those.<\/p>\n The Nakasendo Trail<\/p>\n The samurai highway<\/p>\n Found in central Japan, the Nakasendo was one of the major highways of the Edo period<\/a>, connecting Edo and Kyoto inland rather than along the coast. It served samurai, merchants, messengers, and processions, and today it offers one of the best introductions to historic walking in Japan.<\/p>\n The trail is a massive 526 km (326 miles) long and consists of 69 post towns that help preserve the atmosphere of the old highway. They\u2019re filled with wooden buildings, narrow lanes, and careful restoration that makes them feel suspended in time.<\/p>\n Length a bit daunting? Stick to Magome-Tsumago<\/p>\n For the average traveler, I\u2019d recommend tackling the Magome-Tsumago section. It\u2019s about 8 km (5 miles) and takes 2-3 hours at a gentle pace. Plus, since it\u2019s well-maintained and has signage in both English and Japanese, it\u2019s perfect for travelers who want a manageable day hike.<\/p>\n Overall, the Nakasendo Trail is less overtly religious than other pilgrimage routes, instead emphasizing its historical significance.<\/p>\n The nitty-gritty: when to go and where to stay along the way<\/p>\n Each route comes with its own unique selection of accommodations. Minshuku (\u6c11\u5bbf) are Japanese-style bed-and-breakfasts often positioned along pilgrimage trails. Other options include temple lodgings, ryokan (\u65c5\u9928), and your run-of-the-mill hotel.<\/p>\n As for when to try these ancient pilgrimage trails, aim for spring or autumn. Ideally, April, May, October, or November. Outside of that window, you may have to deal with typhoons, the brutal heat of summer<\/a>, or the dangerous, icy conditions of winter.<\/p>\n Slow travel vs. \u201cchecklist Japan\u201d<\/p>\n Travel can be many things, but for a lot of people, it\u2019s a chance to relax away from the bustle of daily life. That\u2019s why trails like these are surging in popularity. Instead of racing between landmarks and \u201cmust-sees,\u201d visitors can take their time to absorb history, nature, and even solitude.<\/p>\n The very nature of such pilgrimage trails is an antidote to overtourism<\/a>. They force people to slow down<\/a>, put their phones away, and simply enjoy the moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn\u2019t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget<\/a>.” – Kate and Simon S., Australia<\/p>\n Sources<\/p>\n Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. UNESCO<\/a><\/p>\n Kumano Sanzan. Wakayama Prefecture World Heritage Center<\/a><\/p>\n Customs and Etiquette of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Henro<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixta_129108066_M.jpg\")
Two Ohenro hikers in the outfits traditionally worn while walking the circuit. (Picture: hirootani<\/a> \/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)) <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/UJ-Journalism-Fund-Insider-1.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Magome,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixta_98803550_M.jpg\")
Magome, an historic village for travelers on the Nakasendo trail. (Picture: denkei<\/a> \/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)) <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/uj-tours-plan-12-2024-350-1.png\"\/)
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