Japan: Koya-san & Kumano Kodo Trek

The active nature of this trip means that the fitter you are, the more you will be able to enjoy it. It is expected that travellers joining this trip will have had some experience hiking before joining this tour. On some hikes you will need to be able to carry your overnight pack on the trail because we will forward your luggage to the next destination. Hiking distances vary from 3 to 15km per day with no more elevation change than 60 to 900 m on one hike.

The hikes on the Koya-san trail and Kumano Kodo include sections rather than the whole trail, which gives you an experience of the trails without needing to commit to multiple days of strenuous trekking.

When we aren't hiking on this trip, we primarily use public transport, which is efficient and convenient in Japan. Please pack light and compact as you will be expected to transport your luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.

In some destinations, you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It's a great taste of tradition; however, not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more Western-style hotels. Read more about ryokans here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/traditional-japanese-ryokan/

Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

1. This is an active hiking trip and you will need an excellent level of fitness. Please read the Itinerary carefully to ensure that you'll be able to make the most of the activities on this trip and enjoy an active adventure in Japan.

2. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.

3. It’s important to consider your packing for rail travel in Japan. On Day 3 we include the transfer of your main piece of luggage – please review the Itinerary for important details. We also recommend reviewing the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information.

LUGGAGE
Alongside your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a small to medium backpack (25-30 litres) for day walks. A backpack with a waist strap will be the most comfortable option for all included walks.

ESSENTIALS
Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying clothing is recommended. Laundry facilities may not be available every day.

• Warm layers such as a light jacket, fleece and base layers.
• Breathable, non-cotton t-shirts.
• Long hiking pants or zip-offs.
• Nylon hiking shorts.
• Wind and waterproof outer layers (jacket and trousers).

Hiking boots with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to wear for an entire day.

Walking poles for support on steep uphill sections and longer descents.

Comfortable shoes or sandals for shorter walks or time spent not hiking.

A water bottle that holds 1 – 2 litres.

Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bandana.

Torch, flashlight or headtorch.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For general packing considerations, check out our ultimate packing list:, LUGGAGE IN JAPAN
On this trip you will need to carry your own luggage for up to 30 minutes at a time. Train stations are quite complex and usually require climbing a lot of stairs, especially when doing a quick transfer from train to train. Elevators aren't always available and cannot accommodate many people at a time, so if you bring a suitcase, please ensure you are able to lift and carry it up and down stairs yourself without difficulty. Our ryokans allow suitcases, but you'll need to carry it onto the tatami floor in the room, instead of wheeling it. A backpack is often preferred by travellers for these reasons.

We recommend that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg.

LUGGAGE SIZE RESTRICTIONS ON JAPANESE TRAINS
Luggage allowances for train travel are calculated by adding the length, width and height together. We recommend your main piece of luggage does not exceed 159cm.

Luggage between 160cm and 250cm requires pre-booking additional luggage space for an additional fee. This can be difficult to secure given how busy Japan's rail system is. Luggage over 251 cm will NOT be permitted on Shinkansen trains.

If you have oversize luggage you will need to use luggage forwarding services. Additional charges will apply. Please speak to your leader if you need to utilise this service.

Japanese trains don’t have large luggage racks for big suitcases so it's best to pack as light and small as possible so that you are not blocking aisles or taking up extra seats.

DAY PACK
A day pack for carrying essentials when exploring destinations, as well as for any shorter overnight stays, will be useful.

SEASONAL CLOTHING
Weather in Japan varies greatly between summer and winter so be sure to check whether you’ll need a beanie and thermals or light cotton layers during your visit.

PACKING LIST
Below is a link to our ultimate packing list, a guide to get you started:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

The walking on this trip is over easy to moderate terrain and distances covered can vary from 5 to 20 km (please check day descriptions for details). Some of the walks are circular but some can be out-and-back walks. Be prepared for daily ascents and descents, sometimes with short, steep sections. Terrain can be rocky with loose gravel, or with roots, which may become slippery when wet. This tour is ideal for nature lovers and the leaders set an even pace, providing time to take photos and to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, 284-1 Tenjinyama-cho, Muromachi-nishiiru,, Nishikikoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku,, Kyoto, JAPAN

Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma is located in the downtown area of central Kyoto, approx. 300m from the main shopping street of Shijo Street and the Nishiki Market. There are subway stations and bus stops nearby so it's easy to get to Kyoto's main sites. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and department stores in the immediate neighbourhood. The Gion district (including Ponto-cho), the Kamogawa River and the Higashiyama temple precinct are also accessible by foot, within 1.5km away.

Alternate Joining Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
05 Apr 2025 (CJXK250405)
Comfort Hotel ERA Kyoto Toji
54-1 Nishi-kujo Shima-machi
Minami-ku

Kyoto
JAPAN

There are two international airports servicing Kyoto. Itami Airport (ITM) is 50kms/30miles southwest of Kyoto. Kansai Airport (KIX) is 100kms/60miles southwest of Kyoto. Taxis are available but cost upwards of USD250.

If you have any concerns on arrival in Japan, please call our Osaka-based team on +81 70 1771 5588.

Arrival at Kansai Airport (KIX)
From Kansai Airport (KIX) you can reach Kyoto Station via express train or limousine bus. From Kyoto Station, you can take a taxi or the subway to Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma. If your flight arrives before 6am or after 9pm, be sure to check departure times of your chosen service.

The express train from Kansai Airport is called the Haruka Airport Express. It costs approximately JPY3600 and takes 75 minutes.

Alternatively, the limousine bus service costs approximately JPY2500 and takes 90 minutes.

On arrival at Kyoto Station, a taxi to the hotel will cost approximately JPY1500. Alternatively, you can take the subway, travelling on the Karasuma line to Shijo Station. Please refer to the transport details on the hotel’s website: https://www.choicehotels.com/en-uk/japan/kyoto-city/comfort-inn-hotels/jp109

Arriving at Itami Airport (ITM)
From Itami Airport (ITM) you can reach Kyoto Station via limousine bus. From Kyoto Station, you can take a taxi or the subway to Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma. If your flight arrives before 8am or after 8pm, be sure to check departure times of your chosen service. The limousine bus service costs approximately JPY1500 and takes 60 minutes.

On arrival at Kyoto Station, a taxi to the hotel will cost approximately JPY1500. Alternatively, you can take the subway, travelling on the Karasuma line to Shijo Station. Please refer to the transport details on the hotel’s website: https://www.choicehotels.com/en-uk/japan/kyoto-city/comfort-inn-hotels/jp109

The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi, 1-10-24, Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi 大阪府大阪市中央区西心斎橋1-10-24, Osaka, Osaka, 542-0086, JAPAN, Phone: +81 649636501

The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi is centrally located in Osaka, just a 3-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station subway line and a 10-minute walk from the famous Glico Man advertising sign. It's a convenient location for exploring the sights of Osaka.

Alternate Finish Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
05 Apr 2025 (CJXK250405)
10 May 2025 (CJXK250510)
17 May 2025 (CJXK250517)
07 Jun 2025 (CJXK250607)
15 Oct 2025 (CJXK251015)
18 Oct 2025 (CJXK251018)
25 Oct 2025 (CJXK251025)
01 Nov 2025 (CJXK251101)
29 Nov 2025 (CJXK251129)
04 Apr 2026 (CJXK260404)
09 May 2026 (CJXK260509)
23 May 2026 (CJXK260523)
06 Jun 2026 (CJXK260606)
20 Jun 2026 (CJXK260620)
05 Sep 2026 (CJXK260905)
03 Oct 2026 (CJXK261003)
17 Oct 2026 (CJXK261017)
31 Oct 2026 (CJXK261031)
Kuretake Inn Osaka Sakaisuji Honmachi
2-2-15 Minamihonmachi
Chuo-ku

Osaka
JAPAN
For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
24 May 2025 (CJXK250524)
21 Jun 2025 (CJXK250621)
06 Sep 2025 (CJXK250906)
20 Sep 2025 (CJXK250920)
04 Oct 2025 (CJXK251004)
Kuretake Inn Osaka Midosuji Honmachi
541-0057 3-4-8 Kita-Kubouji-cho
Chuo-ku

Osaka
JAPAN

Japan has a very efficient public transport service and there are many ways to get from your hotel to the two international airports in the Kansai region (Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport). Kansai Airport (KIX) is about 50km southwest of Osaka and Itami is about 12km northwest. Please talk with your leader or consult with the hotel's reception desk or check the hotel website for more transport details: http://bridge-h.co.jp/en/access/

Please note that we are currently not able to provide any shared shuttle bus service from the two airports to your hotel in Osaka.

Breakfasts included: 6

Lunches included: 2

Dinners included: 5

FOOD IN JAPAN
The Japanese daily diet contains gluten (ie. in flavourings such as soy sauce) and seafood (dashi, or fish stock, is the basis of most dishes, even vegetable ones), so we highly recommend that vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs do their own online research before travelling about some of the options that might be available to them. While our leaders will assist you whenever they can, there may be some included meals that are fixed in advance and not flexible, such as those included at ryokans, and cannot be modified for different diets. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, still your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

Food and drink are such a high part of Japanese culture. Here are some links to get your tastebuds tingling:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-convenience-store-food/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/traditional-tokyo-alleyways-locals-guide/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/vegetarian-vegan-travel-japan/

PEAK TRAVEL TIMES
Please be aware that while travelling during major national holidays (late Apr to early May) and peak seasons in Japan (Apr-May/Sep–Oct) are fascinating and exciting times to travel, there are also some downsides. There will be huge crowds at most tourist attractions and on all public transport. It's common for there to be difficulties in securing train tickets at our usual preferred times, hotels become overbooked, traffic jams and changes to the itinerary without prior notice can be necessary. If you decide to travel during peak periods come with a sense of adventure and flexibility and we are sure that your experience will still be rewarding and memorable.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +81 70 1771 5588

RYOKANS & MINSHUKUS
Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning.

AVAILABILITY
The recent huge increase in tourism to Japan has put a lot of pressure on accommodation. On occasion, we may need to change accommodation from what is listed in the itinerary in order to operate your departure with minimal changes.

ONSENS
We like to encourage travellers to visit traditional Japanese 'onsens' while in the country as it is a quintessential local experience. In public onsens this means bathing naked with others of the same gender. While the experience can feel strange at first for some, most of our groups end up enjoying this activity. There is very specific etiquette for visiting onsens - your leader can give you some tips and instructions. Please be aware that travellers with tattoos may not be permitted to enter public onsens. Private onsens may also be available - talk to your leader for more information. See our guide to onsens here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-onsen-guide/