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One of Japan’s most remote and rewarding journeys, the Kumano Kodō hiking route weaves through the mountainous Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka. Once a sacred pilgrimage trail reserved for emperors and samurai, the ‘Kumano Old Road’ is today open to all seekers and wanderers, with plenty of intensely photogenic shrines and natural beauty along the…
Dawn breaks over the mountains at Nachi Taisha, one of the major pilgrimage sites along the Kumano Kodō © Jonathan Stokes/iBestTravel Pilgrims have sought spiritual renewal on the sacred paths of Japan’s Kii Peninsula for over a millennium. Walk in their footsteps along the Kumano Kodō. In the foothills of the Kii Peninsula, it’s raining…
Discover the Best Hiking Trails in Japan About three-quarters of Japan is mountains, so it’s no surprise that hiking is a popular pursuit for locals and travelers alike. There are monumental peaks (hello Mt Fuji!) and gentle hills, sublime landscapes, and historic trails. Japan has its own rich hiking culture: stay with fellow hikers in…