The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at Kansai International Airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. Afterward, a private coach will take you straight to your hotel in Shirahama, a beautiful beach resort in Wakayama. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.

Today, you will explore two of the three holy sites of Kumano Sanzan. The first is Hongu Taisha, a Shinto grand shrine which serves as the center of the ancient pilgrimage route of Kumano Kodo. The largest torii gate in the world at 33 meters tall was erected on this location, and it marks your initiation into the wonderful spiritual world of the Kii Peninsula.

After lunch, you will visit the second shrine, Hayatama Taisha. Deities are said to have descended upon the earth on a sacred rock near this shrine. The treasure hall also houses religious artifacts from millennia ago, as well as an ancient nagi tree believed to have been planted by the Taira clan in the 12th century. After visiting the two holy sites, you will check into a cozy ryokan overlooking Nachi Bay.

Today is your opportunity to experience the famous hiking experience in Kumano Kodo. You will check out of your ryokan and, after driving up to a certain point, you will be going on a pleasant trek among the old cedar trees of Nachi to reach the last of the three sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines. The shrine complex, which incorporates both Buddhist and Shinto elements in an example of syncretism, includes the temple of Seiganto-ji. Visible next to its three-story pagoda is the tallest waterfall in Japan, roaring down at 133 meters of height and 13 meters of width. This iconic view is the reward for the court nobles who went through the arduous journey to reach this site in days of yore, and for you who followed their trail in the present.

Upon completing your pilgrimage to the sacred ternion of Kumano, you will head north to Totsukawa, the largest village in Japan. This is where you will have your lunch, surrounded by scenic mountain views. Afterward, you will continue your journey to the temple town of Koya-san, the center of a major sect of Japanese Buddhism, Shingon-shu. Immediately upon arrival, you will have another exciting walk at Okuno-in. Being the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, this site exudes a mystical atmosphere. The trail along the cemetery is particularly scenic at dusk. At the end of the day, you will check into your shukubo (temple lodging) and enjoy a Buddhist dinner.

As part of the shukubo experience, you are encouraged to take part in the morning rituals of the temple. You will then have your breakfast in the temple and check out. This morning you will explore the main temple complex and the head temple of Shingon-shu, Kongobu-ji, which are renowned for its beautiful autumn colors. Before leaving Koya-san, you will partake in an activity called shakyo (copying sutra). Trace the kanji on the paper and complete your own Buddhist scripture -- you can take it home with you as a memento of your spiritual journey!

Afterward, you will leave the mountains and drive to Nara, a city which served as the religious center and the capital city of Japan during the eponymous period in the 8th century. Enjoy the traditional tea porridge cuisine, interact with wild deer among the maple trees in Nara Park, and witness the country’s largest statue of Buddha in Todai-ji. In the afternoon you will check into your ryokan in Nara, just a few minutes away from Nara Park.

Having completed your pilgrimage on Kumano Kodo, today you will celebrate the beauty of Japanese culture and nature in Kyoto and Arashiyama. Your first destination is Higashiyama, an old-town district with many old Japanese-style buildings and revered temples. Among these is Kodai-ji, which boasts superb views of autumn colors within its gardens. You will also experience the famous tea ceremony in Higashiyama for an authentic taste of Japanese culture.

After lunch, you will visit Arashiyama. This mountainous region is known for its sublime scenery. The wildlife in Iwatayama Monkey Park await your visit, and after that a rickshaw ride reminiscent of the old Meiji days will take you around Arashiyama’s most inspiring sights, including the famous bamboo groves. At the end of this exciting day, you will be transferred to your ryokan in a quiet location in Kameoka. Feast on a delightful dinner, take a relaxing hot spring bath, and enjoy a well-earned rest.

To continue with your appreciation of Japanese nature, you will start the day with an exhilarating boat ride down the Hozu River. Surrounding the ravine are mountains and rocks of indescribable beauty, hued with the picturesque autumn colors. Your two-hour journey down the stream will bring you back to Arashiyama. After the exciting adventure, enjoy a course of delicious dishes in a restaurant by the river.

The Zen temples of Kyoto are exceptional examples of a meld between spiritual tranquility and natural beauty, and thus make a fitting closing act for this Sacred Autumn tour. In the second half of today’s itinerary, you will visit three more of the most iconic Zen Temples. First, you will visit Tenryu-ji, the first of the five great Zen temples. Second is Ryoan-ji, best known for its karesansui rock garden. Last but not least is Kinkaku-ji, its glittering golden visage being perhaps the best-known icon of Kyoto. At the end of the day, you will be transferred to back Osaka, to a modern hotel near Kansai International Airport.

You have completed the Sacred Autumn tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!