Kumano Kodo Kohechi

Trail description

The Kohechi is the Kumano Kodo pilgrim road that runs north to south across the Kii mountains from Koyasan to Kumano Hongu Taisha, the shortest and the hardest of the routes to Kumano. It crosses three high passes, Obako at 1,220 m, Miura at 1,070 m and Hatenashi at 1,114 m, with long stretches between villages, and the passes see snow in winter, so it needs full mountain preparation. Between Koyasan and Omata the route follows the Koya-Ryujin Skyline (Route 371) and a forest road for short stretches, and further south it runs about 8 km beside Route 425 into Totsukawa, so watch for cars there. Most walkers take 3 or 4 days with 2 or 3 nights in the valley villages on the way, such as Omata below the Obako pass and Yanagimoto on the Totsukawa river.

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