An unrivaled 4-day curated journey through Kumano Kodo Iseji. Experience sacred shrines, ancient treks, traditional crafts, and scenic cruises, seamlessly blending Japan’s profound history, culture, and gourmet delicacies.
Ise Jingu Grand Shrine This is the most saced shrine in Japan and filled with the charms of history, nature and architecture. Billions of people have been praying for their peace from the ancient times. Ise Grand Shrine includes 125 shrines around Mie, and in particular, Naiku and Geku, which is dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami (the deity of Imperial family) and Toyo'uke-no-Omikami (a provider of sacred food of Amaterasu-Omikami) respectively, are the two main huge shrines.
Okage-Yokocho Okage-Yokocho was born in 1993 near Ise Grand Shrine Naiku. The Edo and Meiji periods' buildings along the Iseji Route have been relocated or recreated, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the shrine street and learn the traditional culture of Ise. There are many shops and restaurants serving Ise specialties. Eating around Okage-Yokocho is one of choices to fully enjoy the Yokocho.
Road Station Kii-Nagashima Manbo The menu offers a rich selection of coastal delicacies, including fresh sashimi and premium seafood bowls that showcase the best of this fishing town, alongside classic ramen and udon. The true highlight, found only at "Road Station Kii-Nagashima Manbo," is the Deep-fried Sunfish Set. This rare gourmet specialty reflects the unique culinary heritage of Kihoku Town. Featuring a firm yet succulent texture similar to lean chicken breast, the sunfish is served with a perfectly crisp golden batter. It is a light, healthy, and sophisticated dish that offers a taste of Japan found nowhere else.
Uo-machi Strolling Explore "Uo-machi," a timeless fishing village in the Kii-Nagashima district. Discover its nostalgic charm through narrow alleys and the unique rising bridge that lifts for passing boats. Guided by a charismatic local, you’ll immerse yourself in the living history and enduring seafaring culture of this retro coastal gem.
Hajikami-toge Pass There are two courses, the slightly steep, stone-paved “Edo Road” that evokes history, and the gentler “Meiji Road,” which joins at the Hajikami-toge Pass. From the observatory on the pass, you can see a panoramic view of Kii-no-Matsushima in the Sea of Kumano.
Tobeya & Tsumura Beyond being just charcoal, Kishū Binchōtan is celebrated by world-renowned chefs as the highest-quality charcoal on Earth. In the town of Kihoku, you have the rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the living tradition of this "black diamond." At Tsumura, a traditional kiln run by master craftsmen, each piece of charcoal is forged with passion and precision. This premium charcoal then travels to Tobeya, a refined Kappo-style restaurant where it is used to elevate local ingredients into culinary masterpieces. The secret lies in the powerful far-infrared rays emitted by the Binchōtan. This intense heat instantly seals in the "umami," creating a perfectly crisp, aromatic exterior while keeping the inside incredibly succulent and juicy. Experience the harmony of two masters: the charcoal-making artistry of Tsumura and the exquisite culinary skills of Tobeya. Come and savor the true bounty of Kishū—a flavor that can only be found right here.
Kumano Kodo Center This beautiful building, crafted from local cypress, is the essential orientation hub for the Iseji Route.Through engaging exhibits and high-definition visuals, you will learn about the history, culture, and challenging mountain passes of this World Heritage site. It’s the perfect place to check trail conditions and deepen your spiritual connection to the "Path to Ise" before you begin your journey.
Magose-toge Pass A popular mountain pass on the border of Kihoku town and Owase City, the stone pavement, said to be the best in the Kumano Kodo Iseji, continues through the Owase cypress forest. Many historical sites, such as Yonaki Jizo, which is believed to have mystical power to prevent children from crying at night, giving it the atmosphere of a Kumano Kodo.
Making Wappa (at Nushikuma) The process of making a wappa originally involved 45 steps, all done by hand, a single person, so it takes more than one month to complete a wappa. The lacquer is also made from natural materials, and is first-class, with no admixtures of any kind.
Tategasaki Cruise Tategasaki sightseeing cruise lets you see Tategasaki up close from the sea, offering a viewimpossible to enjoy from land. You can witness unique ria coastline rock formations andgiant rocks along the way. The highlight is “Gama no Kuchi,” a huge cave opening also known as the “Blue Cave of Kumano.” Enjoy the spectacular views of the blue sea and sky.
Matsumoto-toge Pass Beautiful cobblestone pavement remains on most of the roads, and at the pass surrounded by bamboo groves, you will be greeted by a life-size Jizo statue.
Onigajo Onigajo is a large rock wall created by earthquake uplift, weathering and wave erosion. In addition to being designated as a national scenic beauty and natural monument, it is also registered as a World Heritage site as part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
Hana-no-iwaya Hana-no-iwaya Shrine appears as the “stage of the national birth” in the first book of, Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), written in 720 (Nara Period). This place has an important meaning as “Kumano of the Caves,” a sacred place from ancient times that preceded the Kumano Sanzan worship, and is truly a place that can be said to be the roots of the Japanese people.
Kumano River Cruise (Sandanbo) The Kumano River is registered as a World Heritage site as a river pilgrimage route. Water transportation of daily commodities was also active, and river boats such as “Sandanbo” developed during the Edo period. This is a leisurely tour along the Kumano River on a “Sandanbo,” a replica of the boats used in those days.
Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine This shrine is located near the mouth of the Kumano River and is dedicated to the deity Hayatama. The shrine grounds include “Gongenyama” in the background, “Mifunejima” and “Otabisho” on the Kumano River, and the “Nagi Tree,” a natural monument, which is considered a sacred tree, is located within the shrine grounds.
Information about tour Place of departure and destination: From Kumano to Kumano Number of days of travel: 2 Day Means of transportation: Car Meal(s): Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast Minimum number of passengers to operate. 1 Number of GUIDE:1
Tour Operator Information Company Name: H.I.S. Co., Ltd. Department Name: Inbound Travel Sales Division DMC Department Chubu Team Address: Dainagoya Building 16F, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, JAPAN, 450-6416 Tel: +81- 50-1752-8429 Registration No.: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency Membership: Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Contact Information Department Name: Inbound Travel Sales Division DMC Department Chubu Team Address: Dainagoya Building 16F, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, JAPAN, 450-6416 Tel: +81- 50-1752-8429 Opening hour :10:00~18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
General Travel Services Manager: Kaku Imamura *The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office handling your travel arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and conditions below. Travel Terms and Conditions:Domestic Package Tours Travel Agency Terms and Conditions:Section of Package Tour Contract
Customer Guidelines:
Please refrain from consuming alcohol on the vehicle. Kindly take all trash with you when leaving the vehicle. Please do not leave any trash on board. Please ensure you arrive promptly at the designated meeting place. Please be aware that weekends, holidays, and event days may experience high levels of congestion. The schedule may be subject to sudden changes or shorter visit durations due to reasons such as traffic congestion. Refunds will not be provided if you fail to arrive at the meeting location on time (no show). In the event of a natural disaster, such as a typhoon, the tour will be canceled, and a full refund will be issued. Wearing your seatbelt is mandatory while the bus is in motion due to legal regulations. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the vehicle. Please refrain from standing up while the vehicle is in motion. If you accidentally leave any belongings on the vehicle, please be aware that they will be disposed of. Please personally take responsibility for your valuables. Note: These guidelines are provided to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Thank you for your cooperation.