Arrival day to Osaka. GirlsTrek arrange accommodation in central Osaka for this night.

After our breakfast we will be arranging the travel forwarding service for your suitcase. You will say goodbye to it here and see it again in Kyoto. Only a backpack with essential for the trek comes with you for the next 4 days.

Mid morning we will meet our Backstreet Osaka guide so we can get to know the real Osaka. with a 'Hotspots and Hidden Gems of Osaka' walking tour.

This is a dive deep into Osaka-ben culture! with insightful understanding of everyday Japanese customs (especially the ones that most Japanese feel uncomfortable about!) Slip through the non-touristy bar zones of Osaka, and even get a glimpse of a Yakuza clubhouse (it’s safe and we’ll just walk past it).

We’ll check out a traditional food market and duck into quiet cobblestoned back alleys to uncover a mystic temple and its centuries-old history.

Be prepared for a sensory overload as we navigate wacky larger-than-life billboards highlighting modern Japanese culture. You’ll get to hear plenty of interesting stories about Osaka along the way.

This walking tour is 3 and a half hours.

After the tour we take transport to Kii- Tanabe on the Kii Peninsula. The journey time is approximately 2 and a half hours.

Our accommodation is a short walk from the train station. It is a modest regional hotel - clean and comfortable. We drop our packs in our room and head out for a walk along the coast finding dinner along the way.

The goal is an early night so we are ready for our first day on the Kumano Kodo tomorrow!

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

From our accommodation it is a short walk back to the public bus station. You will over the next few days become very familiar with the Meiko and Ryujin bus lines. Each day we will be using these buses to travel to and from our treks.

This morning we will be jumping on the 08:02 AM bus (not a minute late ...it's Japan!) and riding the bus from here to Takijiri - the start of the our Kumano Kodo trek. It is an enjoyable 38 minute trek.

Trek Takijiri-Oji Shrine to Chikatsuyu-Oji - 16.6 km 600 m elevation gain, steep terrain in parts

Starting the trek at Takijiri shrine considered to be where the passage into the precincts of the secret mountains begins, we will walk briefly along the Tonda river before climbing steeply up on to the ridge which we will follow for the remainder of the day. There are a few steep climbs today as the trail passes through Takahara. The final descent down to Chikatsuys Oji is so tranquil and beautiful as we walk along side a mossy brook. Once we arrive at the trail finish we will take a Ryujin to our accommodation for the next two nights.

Before dinner we will enjoy our first onsen of the trip and afterwards a traditional Japanese banquet.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek Kumasegawa-Oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha - 21 kms 600m elevation gain

After an early breakfast, we will depart for our days adventure at 8.00am and catch the bus at 8.30am. Prior to the trek we will organise lunch for the day. This full day trek is on pavement to Kobiro-Toge and then on an unpaved mountain trail which switches from stunning forests to traversing through local village settlements.

We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way and then walk to Kumano Hongu Taisha. There will be panoramic viewpoints along the way with Hosshinmon-Oji known as the “gate of awakening of the aspiration to enlightenment” and marks the outermost entrance to Kumano Hongu Taisha’s sacred precincts. The route follows a road through Hosshinmon Village to Mizunomi-Oji. Keep a look out for the folk art word carvings along the way. Along the way you will also see numerous tea plantations and terraced fields.

We pass through Fushiogami-Oji , a village where pilgrims fell to their knees and prayed after catching their first glimpse of the Grand Shrine in the distant valley below. From here the trail descends through the forest past Sangen-jaya to the austere Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Our trek finishes late afternoon when we catch a local bus back to our hotel and another opportunity for an onsen!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Trek Koguchi to Nachi Falls - 16 km 700m elevation gain

It’s an early start today after breakfast and we will take a private transfer at 8.00am to the trail head to begin the day’s trek. The trail begins with a stone stair case beside Seiganto-Ji temple on Mt Nachi. The path climbs to the ridgetop of Nachi Kogen Park.

There are wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean from Fanumi-Toge Pass. The trail crisscrosses a beautiful forest to a valley far below. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and continue our trek to Nachi shrine and Japan’s largest waterfall –where later in the afternoon we will take a 30 minute ride on a local bus to our lovely seaside accommodation at the town of Katsuura. There will be some free time to relax prior to meeting early evening for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Stroll Seaside walkway around Katsuura - 5 kms

We will take an early morning seaside stroll around Katsuura and visit the daily Tuna market prior to breakfast. This market is better experience than the large Tokyo market. You are able to get up quite close to the action.

Today we will take a train from Katsuura back to Osaka with a quick change there and on to Kyoto on the very fast Shinkensan. It is quite a journey today and will take up most of the day.

We will aim to arrive in Kyoto in the early evening.

Our accommodation tonight is a centrally located environmental hotel in Kyoto. Once we have settled in we will 'hit' the streets to find ourselves a delicious Okonomiyaki.

Meals: Breakfast

Walking tour of Kyoto

After breakfast at Celestine we will take a walking tour of Kyoto. Firstly we will visit the Kiyomizu Dera Temple and its beautiful gardens before spending time exploring the uber cool Higashiyama district (and enjoying are really GOOD coffee!).

There are wonderful ceramic shops in this area and its is lovely to take time to browse.

From there we will walk over to the Nishi Open Food market and there is the opportunity for a Tea Ceremony for those who would like this experience.

Tonight we will head to Gion for a very special dinner dinner and perhaps drop in to a local whisky bar?

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Kyoto - Free time

Today is yours to explore Kyoto and do some last minute shopping. We will pack our suitcases and stow them with the hotel until we are ready to depart for our train journey from Kyoto back to Osaka airport,

If you are travelling on the Jetstar flight from Osaka at 9:00pm we will depart Kyoto at 5:00pm. The travel back to the airport is by train. Your guides will notify any changes to this time on the day.

For those continuing your travel in Japan we can assist you with making arrangements for luggage forwarding or other train travel.

Meals: Breakfast

Price includes

8 day fully guided trek and experiences with GirlsTrek

Walking tour (Backstreet Tours) in Osaka

Walking tour (GirlsTrek) in Kyoto

Luxury hotels in Osaka and Kyoto

Traditional Japanese Ryokan hotels with Onsen included

All accommodation (twin share)

Train travel during trek

Transport by private bus or local public transport

Meals as per itinerary

Information get together to detail the trip and answer any of your questions

Trip specific packing list with expert advice and great discounts

At home programme to train you for your trek

Contribution to Sevenwomen.org - supporting women in business and girls in education in Nepal.

Price excludes

Travel to/from destination

Travel insurance, which is compulsory

Beverages, optional and personal expenses

*Single supplement available on request at an additional cost

Compulsory Gear

Passport

Day Pack approx 34 - 36L (Osprey brand recommended);

Water Bladder 2L capacity (Osprey brand recommended);

Water Bottle 500 ml min

Raincover for Day Pack;

Waterproof rain jacket with hood;

Trekking shoes;

Hat/sunglasses;

Sunscreen/lip balm/insect repellent;

Personal First Aid Kit (band aids, compression bandage, pain relief tablets etc, personal medication).

Recommended Gear

Walking poles;

Trekking Gear (in your backpack for 5 days on the trip from Osaka to Kyoto)

You will wear one of the below recommended Walking pants & shirt from Osaka.

2 x Walking pants or shorts;

2 x Walking shirt (merino wool 150 GSM recommended)

1 x Warm Layer (150 - 250 GSM)

1 x puffer vest or jacket

3 x Trekking socks (woolen recommended)

Swimmers; (for the river in front of Ryokan)

underwear

We highly reccommend you practice wash out walking shirts and underwear at night. The lighter you pack the better you will feel!

Note: The Ryokan provides the following (all new in packaging)

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Comb/ hairbrush

Moisturiser

Shampoo and Conditioner

Hair tonic!

Yukata (everyday Kimino) - replaced daily - you eat and sleep in these

Night time shoes

Note: One of the BEST parts of travelling in Japan is once you have had your bath you change in to the supplied Yukata. We all look like school girls in the same uniform. You do not required Pyjamas on this trip if you sleep in these. They are like a cotton dressing gown and are great to sleep in.

Clothing for Trip

1 x Walking pants or shorts for our time around Kyoto

2 x Walking shirts or short sleeves;

Light jacket;

1 x Outfits for special dinner out in Kyoto;

Additional Underwear

Casual clothes for return journey on flight