Which Kumano Kodo route should I walk?

The Nakahechi is the most popular and accessible route. Other routes include the Kohechi, Ohechi, Iseji and Kiji. See the routes guide and the interactive map to compare distances and difficulty.

Is there a map of the Kumano Kodo?

Yes — KUMANO KODO NOW provides a free interactive map of the Kumano Kodo with trail routes, oji shrines, towns, weather and live trail conditions.

UNESCO World Heritage · Kii Peninsula, Japan

Kumano Kodo 熊野古道

Q: What is the Kumano Kodo?

The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails across the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama, Japan, leading to the three Kumano Grand Shrines. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

The ancient pilgrimage trails of the Kii Peninsula. Explore an interactive trail map, route guides, live conditions and weather to plan and walk your Kumano Kodo hike.

Open the live map Explore routes

About

A thousand-year pilgrimage across the Kii Mountains

The Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails winding through the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama, Japan. For more than a thousand years, emperors, monks and commoners have walked these paths to the three Kumano Grand Shrines — a journey recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

Whether you want to hike the full Nakahechi route, take a short day walk, or just understand the trail before you go, KUMANO KODO NOW brings the whole pilgrimage together: an interactive Kumano Kodo map, stage-by-stage route guides, town and access information, and live trail conditions shared by local guides.

Explore

Everything for your Kumano Kodo walk

Interactive map

A free Kumano Kodo map with trail routes, oji shrines, towns, weather and live rain radar.

Trail routes

Nakahechi, Kohechi, Ohechi, Iseji and more — distances, difficulty and stage guides.

Towns & access

Takijiri, Chikatsuyu, Hongu, Nachi and more — transport, lodging and resupply.

Live trail info

Up-to-date trail conditions and notices shared by local guides on the ground.

Local guides

The storytellers (kataribe) who know the Kumano Kodo best.

Phone rental

Stay connected on the trail with a kumaphone — data, GPS and emergency calling.

Popular routes

Where to start on the Kumano Kodo

NakahechiThe classic main route · ~78 km KohechiRemote mountain crossing · ~70 km OhechiPacific coastal route · ~120 km

Community

Connected with the Tanabe Community Board

KUMANO KODO NOW is linked with the Tanabe Community Board — the local message board run by residents around the Kumano Kodo. The map carries real local voices, both ways.

Local voices, on the map

Posts from residents on the Tanabe board — gourmet finds, events and local tips around the trail — appear on the NOW map, translated into English.

Share your Kumano Kodo voice

From NOW you can post a short note from your current location — no account needed. It appears on the map and on the Tanabe board as “Kumano Kodo NOW”.

FAQ

Kumano Kodo questions

What is the Kumano Kodo?

A network of ancient pilgrimage trails across the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama, Japan, leading to the three Kumano Grand Shrines. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

Which route should I walk?

The Nakahechi is the most popular and accessible. Compare routes on the routes page and the interactive map.

Is there a free Kumano Kodo map?

Yes — our interactive map shows trail routes, oji shrines, towns, weather and live conditions, free to use.

Ready to walk the Kumano Kodo?

Open the interactive map to explore trails, towns and live conditions — then plan your route.

Open the live map Rent a phone