Day planning Japan trip Osaka, Kumano Kodo and Koyasan

After I had to cancel my Arctic Circle Trail hike, I looked for a relaxed destination to unwind. After some consideration, I settled on Japan and a familiar destination, the Wakayama prefecture and the Kumano Kodo trail. I had enjoyed both Japan and the area very much in 2019, so I figured it would delight me this time as well. Overall plan is to just enjoy the Wakayama prefecture. If I feel well enough, I can maybe hike parts, if I don’t I can take alternative transport. 

Day 1: Shirahama

• Arrive with an early flight (08h45) from Amsterdam (originally from Brussels)
• Spend the night at the Marriott in Shirahama, a coastal resort 2 hours south of Osaka.

Day 2: Tanabe

• Eat at Kanteki, my first ever real omakase experience.
• Spend the night in Tanabe’s Miyoshiya-Ryokan.

Day 3: First day on the Kumano Kodo

First day of my Kumano Kodo hike, from Takijiri to Tsugizakura (a total of 17 kilometers). Idea is to see every single day how I feel. If I feel like it, I can do some hiking, if I don’t I can get a bus or alternative transportation.

• Breakfast
  Tanabe Miyoshiya-Ryokan
• Morning
  After taking the bus from Tanabe to the trailhead at Takijiri-oji, start on the first stage, from Takijiri-oji to Tsugizakura-oji.
• Lunch
  Food bought from the store the night before.
• Afternoon
  Rest of first stage. The Tanabe Tourism office stressed that I should arrive at the ryokan before 17h00 (because of darkness on the trail).
• Dinner 
  Dinner in the ryokan Minshuku Nonaka Sanso.
• Evening
  Chillings.
• Night
  Sleep at ryokan Minshuku Nonaka Sanso (20 minutes hike from the trail downhill).

Day 4: Second day on the Kumano Kodo

The second day of my Kumano Kodo hike, from Tsugizakura to Yunomine via Kumano Hongu Taisha (a total of 24 kilometers).

• Breakfast
  Breakfast at the ryokan Minshuku Nonaka Sanso
• Morning
  After a 15minute hike uphill back to the trail, start the second stage from Tsugizakura-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha and on to Yunomine.
• Lunch
  Minshuku Nonaka Sanso lunch.
• Afternoon
  Continuation of the second stage from Tsugizakura-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
  Visit the amazing shrine in Hongu and the Oyunohara.
  Get my Dual Pilgrim certificate.
  After arriving at the Yoshinoya Ryokan, visit the super relaxed onsen.
• Dinner
  Dinner at Yoshinoya Ryokan.
• Evening
  Pay a visit to the legend Tsuboyu Bath (World Heritage).
• Night
  Sleep in Yoshinoya Ryokan.

Day 5: Third day on the Kumano Kodo

• Yunomine to Kumano Hongu to Totsukawa Onsen, visit the onsen.

Day 6: Fourth day on the Kumano Kodo

• Totsukawa Onsen to Miura-guchi.

Day 7: Fifth day on the Kumano Kodo

• Miura-guchi to Omata.

Day 8: Sixth day on the Kumano Kodo

• Omata to Koyasan.
• Night tour on the cemetery.
• Fire ceremony.
• Sleep in Eko-In.

Day 9: Relax some more

• Relax some more, maybe visit Nara.
• Sleep at the Intercontinental Hotel in Osaka. 

Day 10: Heading back home

• Breakfast
  Breakfast bento box in town.
• Morning
  10h25 flight back from Osaka to Amsterdam.