Kumano Kodo Spring Tour 2023

  • Japan
  • 15 days
  • 22 March - 05 April 23
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Starts from

$7099*

2023 Sacred Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo Cherry Blossom Tour 14 Nights

Description

There are only two UNESCO World Heritage Listed pilgrimage walks. One being “The Way of St. James” in Spain and the other “Kumano Kodo” in Wakayama Prefecture Japan. In 2014 Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau and Tourismo de Santiago de Compostela signed a Partnership Cities Agreement to promote and preserve the unique UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Routes of Kumano Kodo and the Way of St. James. They are the pilgrimages of the Rising and the Setting Sun.

By completing one of the options for both the Kumano Kodo and the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) and registering at a designated site, one can become a “Dual Pilgrim”.

2015 was a very significant year as it marked the 1200th Anniversary of the establishment of Koyasan. Until 1873 women were not permitted to enter this sacred and spiritual area of Koyasan.

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Itinerary

Arrival into Narita or Haneda Airport and transfer by shared private shuttle to our Tokyo Hotel for our three (3) night stay.

Accommodation: Shiba Park Hotel Tokyo : In 22nd March Out 25th March.

There are optional tours available e.g. Dynamic Tokyo Tour, Mt.Fuji-Hakone Day Tour, Nikko Day Tour etc which are highly recommended to pre-book prior to your departure from Australia. Alternatively your Tour Escort is readily available for suggestions and assistance and will take you sightseeing around Tokyo by subway and local transport.

If you do not wish to join an optional tour your Tour Escort is readily available to take you sightseeing in and around Tokyo by subway and local transport. (B)

Those wishing to transfer their large luggage to Kyoto please have your luggage available adjacent to the Reception Desk on the Ground Floor) no later than 7:15am. (1 piece of luggage per person included in Tour).
Transfer to Tokyo Station by mini-bus and depart on the Shinkansen for Kyoto with an onward transfer by local train for Nara. Our Hotel is located adjacent to JR Nara Station. Leave our luggage and off to lunch. After lunch, visit Todaiji Temple and the Giant Daibutsu (Buddha). Remainder of day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Piazza Nara : In 25th March Out 26th March

Depart Nara this morning by local train for Koyasan. We will be changing trains at Shin-Imamiya and then change again at Gokurakubashi for the Cable Car to ascend the mountain to Koyasan. Bus from Koyasan Cable Car Station to Koyasan and our Temple accommodation for the night.
After lunch we will have an escorted tour with our local guide Noriko san. Walk through the sacred area of the Okunoin Cemetery where amongst hundreds of centuries old towering cedar trees lie over 200,000 gravestones. Koyasan is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B/D)

Accommodation: Eko-In Temple – Koyasan : In 26th March Out 27th March

Early morning Buddhist ceremony including the Fire (Goma) Ceremony and after breakfast we will meet with our Guide Noriko san and visit other important areas in Koyasan. These will include Kongobuji which is the Head Temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism and the Danjo Garan Complex.

We will depart Koyasan at 2:00pm by private coach and travel over the beautiful Skyline drive to Ryujin Onsen for our overnight stay. Relax in the Onsen (Hot Springs) tonight. (B/D)

Accommodation: Kamigoten Ryokan in Ryujin Onsen : In 27th March Out 28th March

After breakfast this morning we will drive through to Kawayu Onsen and the Midoriya Hotel for our 2 night stay. Today is a cultural day and in the morning we will have the experience of Indigo dyeing and will also visit a local craft centre. Drive to Takahara and enjoy lunch at Kiri No Sato whilst taking in some spectacular scenery. After lunch we will participate in making Japanese Washi paper at the Otonashi Paper workshop. Onto Yunomine Onsen for a visit and this is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Listed Hot Springs but it is the only one that you can bathe in. (B/L/D)

Accommodation : Midoriya Hotel in Kawayu Onsen : In 28th March Out 30th March

Breakfast and then we will drive to Hongu and visit the Hongu Visitor’s Centre. Those not wishing to do the walk today can remain in Hongu sightseeing and relaxing then meet with the walkers later this afternoon.

The walk today is a lovely walk through the mountains and small villages. The walkers will take the bus through to Kumano Kodo Hosshinmon-oji and walk the World Heritage Kumano Kodo trail through to Kumano Hongu Taisha (7.3 kms). All the walks on the Kumano Kodo Trail are graded with the most difficult walk being 5.0. Today’s walk is graded as a 2.0 degree of difficulty.
We will then meet with the non-walkers and tonight after dinner we will enjoy Taiko (Japanese Drumming) (B/L/D)

Breakfast and then we will drive through to the Boat mooring. Here we will board a traditional flat-bottom boat and make the journey down the UNESCO World Heritage Kumanogawa river to the Kumano Hayatama Taisha. This boat trip traces the journey the pilgrims have done for over 1000 years.
After lunch we will visit the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Daimonzaka, Kumano Nachi Taisha and the famous Nachi waterfalls. Onto the Hotel Urashima for our overnight stay and enjoy the famous Bokhido Cave baths. (B/D)

Accommodation: Hotel Urashima : Kii Katsuura : In 30th March Out 31st March

After breakfast this morning we will have a brief visit to the Fish Markets, then on our way to Tanabe we will visit the 1000 tatami mat rock formation, Hashigui-Iwa rocks and relax our feet in the footbath at Shirahama. Lunch at Tore Tore Ichiba and then we will visit a liqueur tasting factory before arriving into Tanabe around 3:00pm. Afternoon free and tonight we will enjoy dinner at an Izakaya Pub. (B/D)

Accommodation: Hanaya Hotel Tanabe : In 31st March Out 1st April

Breakfast this morning and then make our way to Kii Tanabe Station and take the train through to Kyoto. On arrival at around midday we will transfer to our Hotel by taxis. Afternoon at leisure. Your Tour Escort can assist with sightseeing and/or shopping options. (B)

Alternatively join the “Tea with Maiko” afternoon tour.

Accommodation: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel : In 1st April Out 5th April

Breakfast and then meet with our local Tour Guide and coach for our day tour of Kyoto. With the exception of Fushimi Inari Shrine all the sightseeing venues today are UNESCO World Heritage Listed. Visit the famous Ryoanji Temple with its beautiful Zen Garden which dates from the 15th century. Onto Kinkakuji “Golden Pavilion” whose walls are completely covered with gold leaf. Our next stop is Nijojo Castle built in 1603 as a residence for the first Tokugawa Shogun.

After lunch (Hosted by Experience Japan) we traverse to the opposite side of Kyoto and visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which is the headquarters of about 40,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. Founded in 711 it is
also noted for the sight of 7,000+ torii (shrine gates) that are positioned over a long path up to the hill behind the shrine. (B/L)

Day tours such as Hiroshima/Miyajima, Walking Arashiyama are available. It is recommended to prebook these tours prior to your departure from Australia. If you would like to join with your Tour Escort she is happy to take you sightseeing and/or shopping around Kyoto. Some sights to be included would be Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka & Ninnenzaka, Maruyama Park, Ginkaku-ji and the Path of Philosophy.

Your Tour Escort can give you suggestions for sightseeing or if you wish she will take you sightseeing – Heian Shrine, Miyako Messe Exhibition Hall and maybe Arashiyama and the famous Bamboo Groves.

On afternoon or early evening  of day 14, you will be advised of your pickup time for the Airport Shuttle the following morning to take you to either Itami or Kansai Airports. (B)

This morning please check out of your room and the Hotel will mind your luggage until your departure for the Airport. Please ensure you are in the Hotel Foyer at least 15 minutes prior to your advised Airport Shuttle pick-up time. (B)

Tour Escort

Tour Escort: Jan Hutton

This tour is being escorted by Jan Hutton. Jan has been specialising in travel to Japan for over 30 years.

Her love of Japan started when she joined Jaltour/JAL in Brisbane in 1988. At the time of her early retirement in 2000, she had the most successful Office and turnover in Australia. Since then she has continued her close association and affection for Japan by escorting groups for the Cherry Blossom, Spring and Autumn seasons. Her firsthand invaluable knowledge of the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo has been gained by escorting groups though this area since 2009. During a recent trip to Japan, Jan was invited to participate in a discussion with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe and the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture. Mr. Abe was interested in her comments with regards to the growing interest and success of tourism in the Kumano Kodo, Hongu and the overall Wakayama Prefectural area. All destinations on our “Sacred Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo Tour”, “ Autumn Leaves, Alps and Ancient Roads Tour” and “Splendours of Shikoku” are visited frequently by Jan. These visits are from a working point of view to inspect properties, research local points of interest, tourist sites and to gain in-depth information of all areas. Her passion, professionalism and wealth of knowledge of Japan is unsurpassed and she is held in very high regard within the Japanese Tourism Industry. She has a working history in Tourism/Travel/Hospitality spanning many years including flight crew, Qantas First Class Lounge Supervisor and DreamWorld Guest Relations Manager on the Gold Coast. Jan has visited Japan over 70 times both with groups and independently to update her knowledge, renew old acquaintances and plan out new tours.

Our Client's Experiences

”To dear Jan. Thank you for going beyond the call of duty making this a wonderful tour. You have made Japan come “alive” for us. We will go home with many special and different memories. Thank you so so much. You are a star.”
Marg & Bob
“Dear Jan…. Thank you very much for a wonderful experience of Japan. A view of the country and culture many tourists will never see.”
Carol & Ken
“Dearest Jan. Thank you for another great trip, which would not have happened without your wealth of hard won knowledge and experience. Domo arigato gozaimasu and see you next year in Shikoku.”
Irene
“Dear Jan. The “Experience Japan” Tour would not have been the success it is without your experience. Thank you for looking after us and giving us a tour to remember.”
Peter
“Dear Jan. My very special friend has exceeded every expectation I ever had. You have shown us the heart, not just the face of Japan and it will be with me forever.”
Judy
“To darling Jan. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip. I have absolutely had a ball….”
Marg
“Dear Jan. You are now my favourite Tour Guide in the whole world! This trip will always evoke thousands of treasured memoires.”
Dianne
“Dear Jan. Thank you for another wonderful trip. So different from the last and even more special if that is possible !! I will take home many special memories due to you. Thank you so much and I will be back !!”
Sal
“We wish to give you, Experience Japan, feedback on our recent Japan Sacred Mountain tour. We had the most marvellous time in Japan and could not have experienced what we did without Jan’s help and the expert commentary of the tour guides. Jan’s personality added to that fabulous experience. Our most satisfying part of this holiday was spent in the Mountains and experiencing all the cultural aspects of the people and places. Added to that, was the pleasant and humorous personalities of our travel friends – we all got on so well. We would highly recommend this type of tour to friends. Thank you.”
Marlene & Leif Polsa
“Your Company is aptly named. I could not have experienced Japan on a short trip any better than on the Sacred Mountains Autumn tour with Jan as our tour escort. She was not only very efficient in her role but wonderful company and a joy to travel with. The other members of the group were excellent companions who became friends. People ask me what was the highlight of my trip and I have to say there are too many to list. Our local guides, Noriko, Shu and Toshi were great, giving us an insight into the history and culture of the areas we visited. This trip will remain in my thoughts for a long time. ”
Jan
“Hi Jan. Once again sitting at airport, must say looking forward to getting back to normal. Thank you for the great trip and introducing Japan to me. I have come away with not one bad impression of the country and it peoples. You are one fabulous tour guide. Missing the onsans and my onsan partners. Take care. Your onsan partner.”
Karen
“Dear Jan, Merilyn and I have had some great trips over the years, but none better than the time we spent under your guidance on this tour. The attention to detail, selection of activities and use of your local contacts have made this an unforgettable experience. Many thanks and kind regards."
Ian & Merilyn
“Dear Jan, Thank you for a great and interesting tour. We really enjoyed your insight into Japan’s culture and history and appreciated all the help you gave us. Hope we can catch up with you in Hervey Bay one day."
Bev & Jeff
“Jan, Thank you for a wonderful trip. Your knowledge of Japan is amazing. Also thanks for your medicine kit !!! We will remember our trip to Japan for a long time. Thanks again.”
Valda & Glenys
“Hi Jan – thank you for a wonderful trip to Japan. The whole tour was made even more special due to your personal involvement taking us personally around the local areas of Tokyo and Kyoto. I have just received the translated newspaper article on the bamboo speakers and of course had a little laugh of the comments made by the different foreign guests!! Take care and I hope in the near future I can get time to do another of your interesting trips.”
Denise
“I went on this wonderful trip in March/April and enjoyed it immensely. This was my first trip to Japan and the itinerary was an excellent introduction to this fascinating and beautiful country. It met, and often exceeded, all my expectations in terms of places visited, options, accommodation. I will definitely visit again. Jan’s tour was strongly recommended to me by friends who had travelled with her previously, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Her love for Japan and knowledge added significantly to the experience. I liked the flexibility and the free time was just right as one’s confidence with this new environment grew. On this trip there were some attendees who could be described as “challenges” and I did wonder why they chose such a tour. In spite of these disparate couples and coming down with a virus, Jan soldiered on admirably to give us a first rate trip. "
Janet
“Fred and myself just returned form a tour in Japan run by Jan Hutton and we are still talking about how wonderful and interesting our trip was. We were most impressed by the way it had been organised with the initial supply of material relevant to each day of the trip. The tour was well structured and gave a good insight into one area of Japan. We commend Jan for her knowledge, guidance and patience with all members of the group. She was able to give us a good feel of the Japanese culture and lead us from one destination to another with so much ease and confidence. We had a wonderful time and look forward to more trips to different parts of Japan. Jan is real credit to the tour operators and is a very good ambassador to the tourism industry.”
Nicole & Fred
“The Sacred mountains and beyond tour was wonderful and very well planned. Not only did we experience Tokyo and Kyoto, the must see places of Japan, but we were taken by Jan to experience a pocket of Japan that was truly tranquil, Wakayama prefecture. Throughout the tour I met many native Japanese friends of Jan, who would spend the day with us, proudly showing their local area. Their rapport with Jan reaffirmed that we were experiencing something truly unique to this tour company. The sights that we saw during this tour were spectacular and the cultural experiences were interesting and special. This tour gave me the real hands on experience of Japan. I learned to use the public transport systems, which made me feel autonomous during free leisure times. This tour has surpassed my expectations and I am very excited to visit Japan again in the near future.”
Emily
“Hi Jan We were at a family 60th Wedding Anniversary party yesterday and everyone was asking about our trip to Japan. We were happy to tell them all about the wonderful time we had! I was trying to think of highlights but there were so many it is impossible to narrow it down to a couple. If pressed I would have to say the cherry blossoms (of course), the maiko/geiko experiences and the Japanese drumming but many of the other experiences were very memorable too. Thanks for the translation of the newspaper article. I hope you have a few weeks rest before your next trip but knowing you I expect you will not slow down much! We also had a smooth trip home with no delays. The trip was wonderful and very enjoyable. The variety of activities and accommodations made for an interesting two weeks and I am waxing lyrical to friends and family about it. Thanks so much for a great holiday experience that will stay with us forever.”
Lindsey & Graham
“Hi Jan Thank you for the welcome home email and for all your expert help during the trip. We had such a wonderful time and appreciated the way the Japanese way of life worked so well. We Australians could learn a thing or two from them regarding their good cheer,absolute politeness and efficient running of everything from trains to hotels. It all seemed a bit chaotic when we got off the plane but guess we will soon get used to the Aussie laidback approach again. We could not have had more fun. Thanks again."
Bruce and Lynne
“Hi Jan Well I must say I am still shell shocked at being back home. I had an absolutely fabulous time as did Karen. Karen even made it to a Sushi train on Thursday night with her family at the Sunshine Plaza. Thank you so much for a wonderful tour and providing us with so many wonderful experiences. Yes those Onsen’s are very addictive. Now I need to save up for the next trip."
Deryn, Kathy & Deb
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Inclusion & Exclusion

  • 14 night’s accommodation including one night Temple stay, one night traditional Japanese Ryokan accommodation and one night Japanese style room at the Hotel Urashima
  • 12 breakfasts : 3 lunches : 6 dinners
  • All transportation as per itinerary including reserved seating on the Shinkansen (bullet train)
  • Shared private shuttle transfer from arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo Hotel.
  • Luggage transfer Tokyo to Kyoto (1 piece of luggage per person)
  • All sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Private coach and Japanese/English speaking Government Certified guide evening of 27th March – evening of 31st March 2023 whilst travelling through UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo.
  • Walk 7.3kms on UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo trail (alternative arrangements available for those not wishing to walk)
  • Cultural activities e.g. indigo dyeing, visiting a cultural centre in Kumano Kodo along with Otonashi Washi paper making, Ume (Japanese plum wine) tasting and visiting a unique Wood Jewellery Shop.
  • Traditional Boat ride on the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Pilgrimage waterway “Kumano-gawa”
  • Private coach and Japanese/English speaking guide for private day tour of Kyoto on 2nd April including lunch Hosted by Experience Japan
  • Fully escorted within Japan by an experienced Australian Escort
  • Shared shuttle transfer from Kyoto to airport of flight departure e.g. Itami/Osaka or Kansai
  • Return Airfares, airport and airline taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, meals not specified in itinerary/inclusions
  • Any items not specified in inclusions and itinerary

Terms and Conditions

  • All prices are in Australian dollars inclusive of taxes
  • A non-refundable deposit is required within 7 days of booking
  • Full payment is required 60 days prior to travel
  • Tour cost is based on 12 participants. Experience Japan reserves the right to re-cost or cancel the tour should this number not be attained
  • Airfares are not included in the tour price. For the best available quote, please enquire with Experience Japan team
  • Transportation, entrance fees and meals on free days are not included
  • Cultural activities are subject to change
  • Experience Japan does not in any way discriminate against persons with disabilities and/or very limited mobility. However some of the sites visited during our escorted tours may involve some walking and climbing stairs. Travellers with disabilities and/or very limited mobility are recommended by Experience Japan to be accompanied by their own assistant who is capable of providing all or any assistance that is required. No special assistance to participants with disabilities and/or very limited mobility is included on any Experience Japan Escorted Tours. We at Experience Japan reserve the right to refuse participation in any of our Escorted Tours to any participant who we consider is, within reason , likely to impose unfair hardship on Experience Japan and/or its personnel. As an alternative we at Experience Japan would be more than happy to arrange Independent tour arrangements for those travellers with special needs.
  • It is a requirement that all participants on this tour has a valid international travel insurance. It is recommended to have full comprehensive travel insurance at the time you pay your deposit for a tour. Claims may be made for cancellation due to unexpected medical and unforeseen circumstances as specified in your Insurance policy.
  • Credit card fees apply
  • Cancellation fees apply. 1. Deposit – non-refundable and non-transferable (Deposits are fully refundable in the event of tour cancellation due to border closures.) 2. Cancellations inside 60 days prior to departure or failure to commence the tour – 100% of the cost of the tour
  • Prices correct as of 7 Mar 22 and may change due to currency exchange rate
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