Avery Johnson & Guest
Itinerary Planning
7 Days | Two Guests | Hiking & Culture
Your journey 旅
This 10-day hiking journey combines the best of Japan with hiking and walking: stroll through the merchant path of Kiso valley, trek to the thousand-year-old pilgrimage sites of Mt. Koya, bike in Naoshima Art Island in the Seto Inland sea, and explore other beautiful off-the-beaten-path.
Your journey starts in Tokyo, a thriving modern metropolis. From there, we will quickly move out to rural Japan, where we will see Mt. Fuji’s authentic beauty, experience history at Matsumoto castle, and visit the ancient capital of Kyoto.
Enjoying the delicious cuisine of Japan paired with regional sake, relaxing in the natural hot springs, savoring a multi-course kaiseki dinner, and staying in a traditional ryokan are all part of this spiritual journey.
Your route 地図
Your Itinerary 日程
Sample Day: Mt. Koya, a starting point of Japanese Buddhism & UNESCO
Today’s journey starts by taking local trains to Mt. Koya in Wakayama prefecture, approximately a 5 hour journey. Tonight, stay at a shukubo (a temple stay) to experience peace and spirituality in the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Enjoy shojin-ryori, a traditional vegetarian meal and sleep on futon on tatami. Upon making reservations be sure to add a morning prayer guide to experience the morning chanting by monks, a 1000-year tradition.
Recommended stay
無一物 (mu-ichi-butsu), Less is More is one of many Buddhism teaching and the next two days are just that including the lodging. At Mt. Koya, take the rare opportunity to stay at a local temple in the serenity of this unique Buddhist community to experience the zen culture and its cuisine. Upon making reservations (or at arrival), be sure to add a morning prayer guide to experience the morning chanting by monks, a 1000-year tradition. Note: many of the rooms at the temple have dinner and breakfast included. However, the bathroom and shower are often shared.
Saizen-in
Fukuchi-in
https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/Fukuchi-in/
Recommended hiking
The next morning after the prayer and breakfast, hike “Women’s Pilgrimage Trail” towards “Okuno-in Trail”, approximately two hours each to learn the history and geography of the region.
Women’s Pilgrimage Trail
2-3 hours, medium hiking
https://www.kumano-travel.com/en/tours
Okuno-in Trail
1-2 hours, easy hiking/walking
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4901.ht
Recommended eats
Because your breakfast and dinner (shojin ryori, vegetarian temple cuisine) are included in the temple stay, you will only need lunch or snacks during your visit to Mt. Koya. There are many small cafes and snack stands in Mt. Koya without websites. Ask temple owners for suggestions for the best cafe in town.
Note: Komi Coffee is located between Women’s Pilgrimage Trail and Okunoin Trail, a perfect place to take a break between hiking.
Komi Coffee
Sandwiches, coffee, sweets, and alcohol
http://komicoffee.com
Murataka
Pizza, coffee, and snacks
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1121341-d15841667-Reviews-Marutaka-Koya_cho_Ito_gun_Wakayama_Prefecture_Kinki.html
