Kyoto, Nara and the Kii Peninsula guided walking tour

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Imperial Pilgrimage
15 days Kyoto, Nara & the Kii Peninsula

Exploring the Kii mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walking part of the old pilgrimage route to the great Kumano shrines - Staying in Buddhist temples on Mount Koya and in Nachi - Accommodation in old hot spring villages - Staying in lovely old ryokan in the mountain top village of Yoshino and in Kyoto -Exploring the old capitals of Asuka and Nara - A walk through countryside along the Yamanobe-no-michi – Kyoto highlights - Meeting friends and locals along the way

Although less dramatic than the Japan Alps, the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula, south of Nara, have for centuries been regarded as sacred.

Your first night in Japan is at an elegant temple situated on Mount Koya , the home of Shingon (Pure Word) Buddhism. The pilgrimage routes to the three great Kumano Shrines – Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha, were popularised during and after the Heian Period (794-1185), when the imperial family and nobility began to seek salvation in sangaku shinko (a belief in the supernatural power of mountains), rather than through common religious practices. Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239) made no less than thirty pilgrimages to Kumano, recording his thoughts and feelings in the Kumano poems. These precious documents are now in the Yomei Storehouse archives in Kyoto .

Hot springs are abundant, and some of the oldest onsen in Japan are located in the Kii Peninsula . You will follow the southernmost part of the old Nakaheji pilgrimage route for about 65 kilometres staying at family run inns and temples along the way. The path is often paved with flagstone steps and leads through forests of Japanese cedar. Walking in the quiet solitude it is easy to imagine the days, centuries ago, when nobles followed these paths through the mountains. The pilgrimage route ends at Nachi where your accommodation overlooks the highest waterfall in Japan .

After a week of walking you will travel out of the mountains, via the quiet mountaintop village of Yoshino , to the ancient capitals of Asuka and Nara . You will explore the sites here and walk through gentle countryside along the Yamanobe-no-michi (literally the ‘path beside the mountains'). In Kyoto you will experience a more cosmopolitan side of Japan . Shorter strolls will take us to Japanese gardens and other important historical cultural sites. You will visit the ultramodern Miho Museum in Shigaraki, and there will be free time for shopping in Kyoto and enjoying the bright city lights.

Day 1 Mount Koya
Meet Osaka, transfer to Mount Koya, overnight at Buddhist temple

Day 2 Ryujin Onsen
After leisurely walking around Mount Koya, transfer to a sumptuous old ryokan in Ryujin Onsen (hot spring)

Day 3 - 6 Walking the Nakaheji pilgrimage route
We will spend four days walking along the ancient Nakaheji pilgrimage route, staying at family-run inns and temples along the way

Day 7 - 8 Yoshino
Two days in the ridge-top village of Yoshino, seeing the Mikumari Shrine and Kinpusenji Temple.

Day 9 Asuka
We visit the vilage of Asuka with its imperial burial mounds.

Day 10 - 11 Nara
We walk along the Yamanobe-no-michi path, to Tenri, and then by train to Nara. The following day you will have a guided tour around Nara Park.

Day 12 – 15 Kyoto
We will spend three days exploring Kyoto and its many temples, including a guided walk through Gion, the traditional geisha quarters.

When we receive your booking we send you a dossier, which contains a suggested gear and clothing list. If you do have queries at this initial stage please contact us and we will be pleased to offer advice.

NARA, OSAKA : Comfortable, modern, downtown hotels.

You will also stay in traditional ryokan and local minshuku. Most have bathrooms with modern toilets and basins and, in most cases, large Japanese style bathrooms with communal single sex baths.

Please note that single rooms are normally only available in hotels – where a single room supplement may apply.

All meals are provided.

Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but we cannot make absolute guarantees! Changes to the itinerary will normally be to introduce an improvement . Weather conditions, road and transport conditions, and the health of walkers can all contribute to changes. The guide will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!

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