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Nara to Kumano Sacred-Sites Road: Route Guide

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Nachi Falls pagoda — Kansai Deep: Nara, Koyasan & Kumano
Photo: Zairon · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A five-day public-road journey from Nara through Kōyasan and Tanabe to Shingū and confirmed-open public access at Nachi. It is not a through-hike of the Kumano Kodo; trails, temple stays, luggage transfers, river boats, onsen and other booked services require separate plans.

Nara to Kumano Sacred-Sites Road is a 300 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 5-day trip; the plan below is the 5-day version for May, built from 89 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

5
days
300km
distance
5
Stops
89
curated stops

Plan your own version → 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Nara public heritage day→ 70 kmKōyasan public heritage day→ 110 kmTanabe public pilgrimage-gateway day→ 70 kmShingū public shrine-city day→ 50 kmNachi confirmed-open public access day

What you'll see

Tōdai-ji
Marvel at the colossal Great Buddha enshrined in the world's largest wooden building.
Nara public heritage day
Kongōbu-ji
Stroll through Japan's largest stone garden and admire golden panels.
Kōyasan public heritage day
Tanabe public gateway circuit
Use confirmed-open public town, heritage and pilgrimage-gateway access; through-hikes, buses, taxis, luggage services and stays need separate plans.
Tanabe public pilgrimage-gateway day
Shingū public shrine-city circuit
Use confirmed-open public shrine-city and river access; boats, tours, ceremonies and paid services stay optional.
Shingū public shrine-city day
Nachi confirmed-open public access circuit
Use only confirmed-open ordinary public road, shrine precinct and suitable short access; long pilgrimage sections, boats and onsen stay optional.
Nachi confirmed-open public access day
Nara National Museum
Explore breathtaking Buddhist sculptures and treasures in a world-class art collection.
Nara public heritage day
Okunoin Cemetery
Walk among giant cedars through Japan's largest graveyard.
Kōyasan public heritage day
Kuwanoki Falls
Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of one of Japan's top 100 designated waterfalls.
Shingū public shrine-city day

Choose your length

5-day plan18 stops · 12.0 h transit3.6 stops/day · 2.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: April, May, October, November

Use the published road season and check current roads, weather, public access and every optional service separately.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →