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Kumano Kohechi (Small Route) pilgrimage route

Kumano Kohechi (Small Route)

70km pilgrimage route in Japan

Distance

70km

Duration

4 days

Difficulty

Very Challenging

Certification

shuincho

Start → End

Koyasan → Kumano Hongu Taisha

About the Route

The Kohechi is the most direct route between two of the most sacred sites in Japanese Buddhism and Shinto: the temple complex of Koyasan — the mountain monastery founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) in 816 as the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism — and the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Monks and ascetics began walking this route in the 11th century to unite the profound esoteric Buddhism of Koya with the ancient nature-god spirituality of Kumano, a merging that became known as shinbutsu-shugo, or the harmonious fusion of Buddhism and Shinto. The path is relentlessly demanding: three mountain passes above 1,000 meters, remote mountain villages with no services, and trails that descend and ascend with little respite. What the Kohechi offers in return is perhaps the deepest spiritual atmosphere of any Kumano route — a walk between two sacred worlds, in a landscape so silent it seems to be listening.

Key Waypoints

  1. Koyasan Daimon Gate

    0km from start · 820m

    Main western gate of Koyasan (rebuilt 1705). Entrance to Kobo Daishi's sacred complex founded in 816 CE. Stamp at information center near the gate.

  2. Koyasan Okunoin

    2km from start · 850m

    Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Over 200,000 gravestones line this sacred forest. The great master is believed to be in eternal meditation. Stamp at Okunoin entrance.

  3. Omata

    13km from start · 480m

    First lodging village on the Kohechi. Starting point for the climb to Obako-toge Pass. Former forestry settlement. Stamp at village rest area.

  4. Obakotoge Pass

    20km from start · 1344m

    Highest point on the Kohechi route (1,344m). Sea of clouds and panoramic views of the Kii Mountains. On clear days, the Omine range is visible. Stamp at the pass rest area. ⚠️ Steep mountain pass. No water sources for several kilometers. Not recommended for young children.

  5. Miuratoge Pass

    33km from start · 1080m

    Miura Pass at 1,080m elevation. Stone Buddha statues and old tea house ruins line the ancient trail. Once a critical waypoint on the Kumano pilgrimage. Stamp beside the pass marker post. ⚠️ Steep mountain pass. No water sources for several kilometers. Not recommended for young children.

  6. Totsukawa Onsen

    48km from start · 230m

    Hot spring in Totsukawa, Japan's largest village by area. Famous natural free-flowing onsen and suspension bridges. Stamp at the onsen information center.

  7. Hatenashi-toge Pass

    55km from start · 1114m

    'Endless Pass' at 1,114m. Jizo Bodhisattva statue stands at the summit. Panoramic views to the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Stamp at the Jizo statue on the pass.

  8. Sangen-chaya Ruins

    66km from start · 280m

    Junction of Nakahechi and Kohechi routes where three tea houses once stood. From here, pilgrims from both paths merged toward Hongu Taisha. Stamp beside the junction marker.

13 waypoints total · Sacred Trails app contains full detail for every waypoint.

Points of Interest

Koyasan Okunoin

· temple

Sacred cemetery with 200,000 tombstones. Kobo Daishi mausoleum

Koyasan Danjo Garan

· temple

Sacred temple complex. Konpon Daito pagoda. Free grounds

Koyasan Shukubo (Temple Stay)

· lodging

Temple lodging with shojin ryori (Buddhist cuisine). Book ahead

Omata Village Rest

· teahouse

Small village in Nara. Limited lodging. Day 1 overnight

Miura-guchi Rest Area

· teahouse

Valley settlement. Minshuku available. Day 2 overnight

Totsukawa Onsen

· onsen

Mountain hot spring village. Public bath 400 JPY. Day 3 overnight

⚠️ Before You Go

Best avoid

December–March (snow on the Nishi-no-Koya-michi mountain crossing)

Weather risk

Snow Nov–Apr above 1,000 m; typhoon flooding risk June–October

Mobile signal

Essentially no signal for the entire route — bring a dedicated GPS device

Cash

Virtually no ATMs; carry ¥15,000+ for the full route

Note

The most difficult Kumano route — 70 km through mountains with 5,000 m of cumulative elevation; not suitable for first-time pilgrims

Recommended to carry

Cold-weather layerBear bellEmergency foodCash ¥15,000+GPS device

Navigate the Kumano Kohechi (Small Route) Offline

Stage-by-stage navigation, full waypoint history, and lodging data — all offline in Sacred Trails. One $2.99 purchase unlocks all 18 routes.

Download on the App Store

Related Routes

Kumano Iseji (Ise Route)

170km · 7 days

Kumano Nakahechi (Middle Route)

70km · 4 days

Kumano Ohechi (Coastal Route)

170km · 8 days