Exploring Kumano Kodo With Kids and Beyond
Traveling to Asia comes with many tempting vacation options, whether you long to visit Cambodia’s Angkor Wat or experience Vietnam’s unique cultural heritage. But Japan remains at the top of the list for many travelers thanks to its rich heritage, incredible contemporary culture, and kid-friendly atmosphere.
What if you’re looking for a unique way to explore Japan’s history, spirituality, and natural settings beyond Tokyo and Kyoto? Pilgrimage trails in Japan offer an inviting way to discover the nation’s amazing past while savoring unforgettable landscapes. Keep reading for the full scoop on the Kumano Kodo with kids and beyond.
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
For centuries, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail has born witness to Japan’s rich and vibrant history. Shaped by stunning scenery, sacred cultural significance, and a rich heritage, your family will fall in love with this one-of-a-kind trek. Whether you opt for the Nakahechi Route (known as “The Imperial Route”) used by nobility and emperors starting in the 10th century or the Iseji Route through terraced rice fields, bamboo forests, and cobbled stone paths.
Explore tranquil valleys, verdant forests, and stunning waterfalls while learning more about rural life and the region’s incredible history. Kumano Kodo is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage routes and brings together everything travelers prize about Japanese pilgrimage trails.
Visitors can access various amenities depending on their unique needs and preferences, including homestays and guest houses. The entire trail takes approximately five days to complete, but there are many different ways to approach a trek, whether your family opts for a single or multi-day experience.
Other highlights include the Koyasan Choishi Michi Route, marked by 180 ancient stone signposts, and the Kohecki Route, which crosses mountain passes and culminates at Hongu Taisha, the biggest torii gate in Japan at 112 feet tall, and an ascent of Mount Koya, a mountain settlement featuring more than 100 Buddhist temples.
What to Know About the Kumano Kodo With Kids
The Kumano Koso is a diverse mountain route comprised of a combination of unpaved trails, ancient cobblestones and stairs, and paved roads through villages. While not technically difficult, it is physically challenging thanks to many continuously steep sections. Athletic school-aged kids will do great, and teens may be capable of completing the entire seven-day itinerary. But you’ll want to pick and choose sections strategically when conquering the trail with younger children.
The trail runs through remote areas of the nation, which means less readily available access to medical facilities. Accommodations include Japanese ryokans (traditional inns) and minshukus (family-operated guesthouses) where guests sleep on futons spread on tatami mats and share bathroom facilities. Guesthouses serve traditional Japanese fare, so picky eaters may find it a challenge. This proves the norm while traveling Japan’s pilgrimage trails.
Nakasendo Highway
Another celebrated pilgrimage trail in Japan is the Nakasendo Highway. This trail follows a historic shipping route that once connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The trail passes through 69 towns along more than six miles of terrain.
Historically, these towns once offered rest areas for travelers, along with entertainment, shops, and lodging, whether they were wandering monks, samurai, or merchants. Although many portions of this trail have succumbed to modernization, you can still walk well-preserved parts in the Kisoji area. Among the best-preserved towns along the Nakasendo Highway are Magome and Tsumago, both celebrated for their main streets lined with historic wooden houses.
During a trip along the Nakasendo with kids, keep your eyes peeled for countless Buddhist Bodhisattva and roadside guardians or Jizo statues. You’ll also see Dosojin, Shinto icons fashioned after human couples, offering protection to travelers. The entire trail is about 14 miles long and takes approximately four to five days. It covers a broad swathe of Japanese terrain, from massive cedar forests to stunning bamboo groves.
What to Know About the Nakasendo Trail With Kids
Like the Kumano Kodo, the Nakasendo Trail can be a difficult and challenging walk. The full trail covers approximately 330 miles! So, we recommend picking a portion of the trail best suited to your children’s ages and activity levels. For example, the portion from Magome to Tsumago is slightly easier and takes roughly two to two and a half hours to complete.
While it contains a steep portion to Magome Pass, it is mostly downhill to Tsumago. Remember there are no snack shops or stores between Magome and Tsumago, so come prepared with snacks, drinks, and perhaps even a picnic lunch. But there are plenty of opportunities to stop at teahouses for soba noodles or gohei mochi and local ice cream vendors abound in Magma and Tsumago.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail
Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, offers a pilgrimage trail containing 88 stunning temples. Your journey takes you through an unending trail of sacred sites punctuated by turquoise coastal waters and lush forests. The route covers more than 745 miles and historically took pilgrims several months to complete on foot.
But today’s trekkers strategically employ cars and public transportation to hit the most iconic portions of the trail. Encompassing four prefectures, traveling through each one comes with unique offerings, from celebrated local cuisine to historic hot springs. You’ll also enjoy opportunities to see traditional performing arts such as Bunraku puppetry and the Awa Odori dance.
Pass through quaint rural villages where sustainable agricultural practices have been employed for more than 1,000 years. Enveloped by a world of tea fields and thatched-roof houses, you’ll foster a deeper connection to Japan’s rural landscapes and history.
What to Know About the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail With Kids
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail covers an incredible 800 miles and is a route few people conquer in its entirety. Families should select which portion they take on with care, bearing in mind the athletic capabilities and ages of those participating.
The Tokushima Walk is an excellent portion to consider tackling. It starts with a gentle walk through the tranquil neighborhoods of Tokushima. Along the way, you’ll visit three jaw-dropping temples. The 3.7-mile walk covers mostly flat terrain and can be completed in about two hours.
The Chichibu 34 Kannon Buddhist Temple Circuit
Conveniently located near Tokyo, the Chichibu Pilgrimage in Saitama Prefecture interweaves the best of Japan’s urban and rural landscapes, covering 62 miles. As the name suggests, it contains 34 temples paying homage to Kannon. Kannon is the Buddhist goddess of compassion and mercy, and the temples are believed to date to the early 13th century.
One of the most fascinating things about this route stems from its other name, fudasho, which translates as the “place of wooden nameplates.” This title refers to the local practice by visitors of nailing wooden placards to the sides of the temples to commemorate their visit.
The temples may be accessed in order, with Shimabu Temple denoted as the official first stop along the trail. Or you can pick and choose which ones you’d like to see. This pilgrimage route remains popular because of its proximity to Tokyo and is an excellent way to start exploring Japan’s sacred rural history.
What to Know About the Chichibu 34 Kannon With Kids
Considered one of the most important pilgrimage routes in Japan, the Chichibu 34 Kannon covers 34 sacred sites and is among the most accessible pilgrimage trail thanks to its relatively short distance of 62 miles. That’s still a lot for one family. Fortunately, the trail has been divided into many doable hikes for families.
One of the most popular trails begins at Yokoze Station and includes views of the celebrated “Hill of Pink Moss” at Hitsujiyama Park. The best time of year to catch the famed pink moss phlox bloom in all its glory is from mid April to early May. It takes about three hours to complete and guides visitors to six of the temples on the pilgrimage trail.
Pilgrimage Trails in Japan
Exploring Japan pilgrimage routes like the Kimano Kodo with kids offers a unique window into local cultures and history. Along the way, enjoy stunning scenery, visit ancient temples, and gain a new understanding of local cultures.
Ready to learn more about booking a tour of pilgrimage trails in Japan with kids? Let’s schedule a phone call to discuss your needs and unique travel style. Then, we’ll crafter a meaningful travel experience your family will never forget.
