Along the trail
Supplies, water, accommodation, transport and live weather for every key town along the trail. Know what to expect before you arrive.
The official starting point of the Nakahechi. The gate to the mountains, with a visitor centre and last supplies before the climb.
The first mountain village on the Nakahechi, perched above the valley. Sweeping views and a peaceful atmosphere, but no shops or buses — lodging only.
The valley town below Takahara (~40 min downhill). The practical resupply and transport hub — A-COOP supermarket, buses and accommodation.
The main resupply town on the Nakahechi — an A-COOP supermarket, a michi-no-eki, buses and plenty of accommodation.
A quiet hamlet ~1 h past Chikatsuyu, home to Tsugizakura-oji and the ancient Nonaka cedars. Almost no shops and little lodging — resupply in Chikatsuyu.
Home of Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines. The spiritual heart of the Kumano Kodo — most pilgrimages end here.
A remote riverside village between Hongu and Nachi. Limited facilities — plan ahead for accommodation and food.
The mountain shrine town below Kumano Nachi Taisha and Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall. A dramatic finale to the Nakahechi.
The coastal town at the end of the Nakahechi. Famed for tuna, hot springs and ferry connections back to the Kii Peninsula.
Home of Kumano Hayatama Taisha, the second of the three Grand Shrines. A larger city with full transport links.
