Worth a DetourSpiritualUNESCOPilgrimageHiking

Kumano Kodo

Ancient pilgrimage trails through cedar forests to the three grand shrines of Kumano, with inns along the way.

Photo: Nekosuki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Time to Go
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Our full guide to Kumano Kodo is being written. It's on the Kansai list as Worth a Detour and Japan list as Worth a Detour.

Go Next

1–3 of 18
Must-See
Heritage · UNESCO

Nara

About 58 miles away

Tame deer around the world's largest wooden building, with its giant Buddha.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Cities · UNESCO

Kyoto

About 81 miles away

Japan's old capital, with Fushimi Inari's gates, geisha, Kinkaku-ji and quiet gardens.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Spiritual · UNESCO

Koyasan

Wakayama
About 28 miles away

A mountaintop town of over a hundred temples, with temple stays and Japan's largest cemetery.

Guide Coming Soon

The Full Short List

Kansai

Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.

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