Transfer: Kansai Airport to Mt. Koya 
Upon arrival in Kansai Airport, you would be met and transferred to Mount Koya, which is about 1.5 hours’ drive.

Mt. Koya Overnight Experience 
Mt. Koya is the centre of Shingon Buddhism, and it’s beautifully forest clad slopes and valleys are dotted with charming temples. Enjoy a walking tour of Mt. Koya with visit to Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex and Koyasan Reihokan Museum. Experience an overnight stay at a quaint temple lodge with vegetarian food.  

Mt. Koya Morning Prayer Ritual 
An enchanting experience this morning as we join in the temple’s morning prayer ritual with the local monks as they recite the fundamental sutra called Rishu Kyo. 

Kumano Kodo’s Nakahechi Route Hike  
Drive about 2 hours to Chikatsuyu, the starting point of the Kumano Kodo’s Nakahechi route. For thousands of years, Japanese of all walks of life from commoner to retired emperors and aristocrats have walked this pilgrimage trail. The Kumano Kodo is a diverse mountain route with a mixture of unpaved, uneven trails, ancient cobblestones and stairs, and paved roads through villages. 

Hike about 5km (Estimate 2 hrs; Total Elevation Gain: 216m) from Chikatsuyu-oji to Nonaka-no Shimizu Spring, passing through the lovely woods of cedars, quiet Chikatsuyu village and 500 years old Nonagase Cemetery.  
 
Thereafter, transfer to your accommodation at Kawayu. 

Kumano Kodo’s Nakahechi Route 
A 30-minute drive takes us to the start point of today’s walk – Hosshinmon-oji, known as the “gate of awakening of the aspiration to enlightenment”. The hiking time for the Nakahechi Main route is about 8km (Estimate 3.5 hrs; Total Elevation Gain: 190m; Total Elevation Loss: 460m). The mountain trail is dotted by numerous shrines, farmhouses, tea plantations and serene forest. Walk through a small village into the precincts of Kumano Hongu Taisha (Grand Shrine). Keep your eyes peeled for world’s largest Torii gate, Hongu Oyunohara Torii Gate.  
 
After completing the trail, return to the hotel to rest. Time permitting, the adventurous souls can continue hiking a more challenging 2.2km Dainichi-goe route to Yunomine-oji. (Estimate 2 hrs; Total Elevation Gain: 250m; Total Elevation Loss: 190m)

Hayatama Taisha Boat Adventure 
This morning, enjoy a scenic traditional wooden boat ride down the Kumano River to Hayatama Taisha, one of Kumano’s three important shrines.

Kumano Kodo’s Nachi Taisha Route  
Continue into Kumano Kodo’s Nachi Taisha route (about 1.5km; Estimate: 1.5 hrs) from Daimon-zaka slope lined with centuries-old camphor trees and bamboo groves. Climb up 467 stone steps to visit the awe-inspiring Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple. Then, descend towards Nachi Falls for a closer view of the tallest waterfall of Japan at 133m high.  
 
Afterwards, we will drive to the coastal town of Nachikatsuura for your overnight stay. 

Nachikatsuura to Ise 
This morning, leave Nachikatsuura and journey 3 hours to Ise. En-route, stop by Hananoiwaya-jinja, a massive ancient shrine believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

Ise-Shima Peninsula Exploration
Visit Ise Grand Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and designated as a National Treasure. Continue to Okage Yokocho where Ise-Shima Peninsula Tsumairi-styled buildings meet Western-styled Kuwanashi buildings, housing numerous local food and craft stores. 

Transfer: Shima to Kansai Airport 
Enjoy your morning at leisure. After check-out, we will drive about 3.5 hours to Kansai Airport for your onward journey.