Kinki
Yoshino-Kumano National Park
PIXTA
Activity
KINTETSU RAIL PASS (1Day / 2Days /5Days / Plus)
Highlights
・Exclusive discount passes for visitors from outside Japan ・Convenient for travel in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya and Mie
Detail
A bargain for visitors, the convenient KINTETSU RAIL PASS is available in four varieties, and allows you to explore Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Mie, Iseshima, Nagoya and more for a special discounted price!
Summary
Location
Required time
Transportation none
Meal none
Day Trip from Nagoya: Kumano Kodo Free Walking Tour with Nachi Falls
Highlights
・Enjoy a 3-hour free walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo. ・Experience the majestic nature and history of Kumano Kodo. ・Discover Kumano Nachi Taisha and the stunning Nachi Falls.
Detail
The Kumano Kodo Free Walking Tour offers a 3-hour free exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo. Experience the majestic nature and history as you visit Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi Falls, and Seiganto-ji.
Summary
Location Kumano Wakayama, Mie from Nagoya
Required time In the morning
Transportation pick up not available
Meal none
Kumano Kodo Taxi Tour with Tsuzurato Pass and Shrine Visit
Highlights
・Explore the World Heritage Kumano Kodo with convenient taxi service ・Visit the unique Atama-no-Miya Shrine, known for wisdom and protection ・Walk the scenic Tsuzurato Pass with its well-preserved stone paths ・Enjoy a flexible itinerary with departures from Ise or Matsusaka ・Discover local specialties and souvenirs at Michi-no-Eki Kii Nagashima
Detail
Designated a World Heritage Site in 2004, the Kumano Kodo Iseji is a historic pilgrimage route. Travel efficiently by taxi and enjoy famous spots like the beautifully paved stone paths.
Summary
Location Kumano-Kodo
Required time 5.5 hours
Transportation Pick up not Available
Meal None
Nara Specialty "Kaki no Ha Zushi" Handmade Experience
Highlights
・Experience the art of making Kaki no Ha Sushi ・Learn about the history and craftsmanship of Kaki no Ha Sushi ・It features fluffy rice and a slightly sweet flavor ・Enjoy a fun and educational food experience
Detail
Let's make "Kaki no Ha Zushi," a specialty of Nara. You'll wrap fluffy rice with mackerel or salmon in persimmon leaves and place it in an original wooden box to complete your creation! Enjoy the freshly made Kaki no Ha Zushi.
Summary
Location Nara, Shimoichi-Cho near the Kumano-kodo
Required time In the afternoon
Transportation Pick up not Available
Meal none
Yoshino Cedar Chopsticks Workshop
Highlights
・Create your own disposable chopsticks and chopstick sleeves ・Enjoy a hands-on workshop in the birthplace of disposable chopsticks ・Personalize chopsticks with your name or favorite word ・Design unique chopstick sleeves with Yuzen washi paper ・Beginners are welcome! Each participant will receive individual instruction
Detail
Experience the craft of making Yoshino Cedar disposable chopsticks, a skill recognized as a Japan Heritage! Additionally, you can design your own chopstick sleeves using thin cedar and cypress bark or Yuzen washi paper.
Summary
Location Nara, Shimoichi-Cho near the Kumano-kodo
Required time In the afternoon
Transportation Pick up not Available
Meal none
Yoshino 1,000 Cherry Blossom Viewing Day Tour from Umeda or Naｍba
Highlights
Embark on a seamless round-trip bus journey from Osaka's Umeda or Namba to Mt. Yoshino, renowned for its breathtaking cherry blossoms. Witness approximately 30,000 sakura trees in full bloom, creating a mesmerizing pink landscape. Enjoy five hours of free time to explore this iconic cherry blossom destination at your own pace. Relish a seasonal bento lunch featuring local specialties and spring flavors, enhancing your cultural experience.
Detail
This one-day tour offers a convenient and comfortable way to experience the beauty of Mt. Yoshino's cherry blossoms. After departing from Umeda or Namba, you'll have ample time to wander through the scenic trails, take photographs, and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere. The included seasonal bento lunch allows you to savor the tastes of the region while surrounded by nature's beauty. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape from the city.
Summary
Location Yoshino from Umeda or Naｍba
Required time 11.5 hours
Transportation Pick up not Available
Meal Yes
Access
How to get there
Yoshino-Kumano National Park straddles parts of Mie, Nara and Wakayama prefectures and is known for its natural scenery and religious walkways. Much of the park overlaps with sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The northern area of the park includes Mount Yoshino, Japan’s most famous cherry blossom-viewing location, while the southern Kumano area on the Kii Peninsula contains three main shrines and a network of pilgrimage routes. Although the park has convenient public transportation, including the Kisei Main Line that runs along the coast of the Kii Peninsula, a rental car will significantly reduce travel time. It's most rewarding to walk a sacred route used for centuries by faithful pilgrims.
From Tokyo
To get to Mount Yoshino, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station (2 hr 15 min), change to a Kintetsu Railway express train or limited express train headed for Kashiharajingu-mae Station, and then transfer at Kashiharajingu-mae Station to a Kintetsu limited express train headed for Yoshino Station (2 hr). The eastern Kii Peninsula is most quickly accessed from Tokyo by changing trains at Nagoya Station. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station (1 hr 40 min), transfer to the JR Nanki limited express to the Kii Peninsula, and alight at the station closest to your destination (3 hr). For the western Kii Peninsula, it’s fastest to take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station (2 hr 30 min), transfer to a JR limited express train heading to the Kii Peninsula and get off at the station closest to your destination (2-4 hr). Once you’ve arrived at the train station, take a bus from either Nara Kotsu, Meiko Bus, Ryujin Bus, or Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus.
From Nara
Mount Yoshino makes a great side trip if you’re staying in Nara, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring or the autumn foliage season. Take an express train on Kintetsu Railway from Nara Station, transferring at Yamato-Saidaiji Station and Kashiharajingu-mae Station along the way, and alight at Yoshino Station (1 hr 35 min). For the Kii Peninsula, take the Yamatoji Line to Tennoji Station in Osaka (30 min), change to the Kuroshio limited express train, and take it to your destination (3 hr).
Getting Around
Though a car makes it easier to explore the large park fully, the public transportation network also provides excellent access to popular areas. If you plan to rent a car, it’s best to traverse long distances by train (such as between Tokyo and Osaka or between Nagoya and the city of Kumano), then rent a car close to a major train station near your destination. On the Kii Peninsula, Shirahama, Kumanoshi, and Shingu stations have car rental companies nearby and make ideal bases for exploring the Kumano area of the park. If you prefer to use public transportation, the JR Kisei Main Line runs along the coastal perimeter of the Kii Peninsula. The interior of the peninsula is served by buses from Nara Kotsu, Meiko Bus, Ryujin Bus, and Kumano Kotsu. Many of the companies’ routes and bus stops overlap. The Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau website provides English-language information on the bus networks, including maps, timetables and prices. The website also provides maps and other information on the pilgrimage routes, including itineraries for everything from half-day walks to multi-day treks linking the sacred sites.
