Region in Wakayama, Japan
Kumano Kodo for solo travelers
Is Kumano Kodo good for solo travel?
Ancient pilgrimage trails through the forested Kii Mountains, hiked inn to inn on the Nakahechi route. A slow, serene walk with onsen stops; routes are steep, buses sparse and inns must be booked ahead.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women; trail traffic is steady. Book inns before you start, since there is no easy fallback in remote stretches. |
How to meet people in Kumano Kodo
Other pilgrims at inns and shared dinners, guided groups from Tanabe, and the Dual Pilgrim community of Camino and Kumano walkers.
Good things to do alone
- Walk Takijiri-oji to Hongu Taisha (2–3 days)
- Soak at Yunomine Onsen's Tsuboyu, a World Heritage bath
- Cross the Dainichi-goe pass to Koguchi
- See Nachi Falls and Kumano Nachi Taisha
- Collect pilgrim stamps with the Kumano Kodo passport
Where to stay in Kumano Kodo
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Tanabe | Gateway city: trains, shops, tourist bureau and the start |
| Takijiri-oji to Chikatsuyu | First village stops for Nakahechi hikers |
| Hongu and Yunomine Onsen | Hot-spring inns near Kumano Hongu Taisha |
| Nachi-Katsuura | Coastal base for Nachi Falls and tuna-market food |
Solo travel across Japan
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 5/5 | Limited |
| Kyoto | 5/5 | Limited |
| Osaka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Fukuoka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Kumano Kodo | 5/5 | Limited |
| Hiroshima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sapporo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Okinawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Niseko | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yokohama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kanazawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Takayama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nagoya | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kamakura | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kobe | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakuba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ishigaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nagasaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Miyakojima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakodate | 4/5 | Limited |
| Otaru | 4/5 | Limited |
| Beppu | 4/5 | Limited |
| Matsumoto | 4/5 | Limited |
| Koyasan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakone | 3/5 | Limited |
| Kawaguchiko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nikko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shirakawa-go | 3/5 | Limited |
| Furano | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Kumano Kodo good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Ancient pilgrimage trails through the forested Kii Mountains, hiked inn to inn on the Nakahechi route.
How do you meet people in Kumano Kodo?
Other pilgrims at inns and shared dinners, guided groups from Tanabe, and the Dual Pilgrim community of Camino and Kumano walkers. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Kumano Kodo?
Limited.
Is Kumano Kodo safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women; trail traffic is steady. Book inns before you start, since there is no easy fallback in remote stretches.
More about Kumano Kodo
Going to Kumano Kodo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kumano Kodo meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
- Kumano Travel
- Wakayama Prefecture Tourism
- Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau: luggage shuttle
- Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau: Kii-Tanabe–Hongu–Hosshinmon-oji bus timetable
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.