Girls’ Getaway: Make Memories in Nature—No Trekking Required

Not into trekking but curious about the Kumano Kodo?
Good news—you can enjoy it in plenty of ways that don’t involve long hikes. Immerse yourself in nature, visit venerable shrines that have been worshipped for centuries, and unwind far from the city bustle.
Here’s a 2-day/1-night sample itinerary to help you reset and recharge.

2:00 p.m. Pick up your rental car at JR Kii-Tanabe Station.

Take the Limited Express Kuroshio to Kii-Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo. Pick up a rental car at the station and head to your accommodation.

3:00 p.m. Arrive at SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA. Enjoy a short break with local snacks and juice.

After a short mountain drive, arrive at SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA, set in the hills at about 300 m (980 ft) elevation. Enjoy locally produced soft drinks, coffee, and snacks—complimentary with the all-inclusive plan—and take a relaxing break. Coffee tastes exceptional surrounded by nature.

3:30 p.m. Enjoy forest bathing along the Kumano Kodo, the “Road of Resurrection.”

The road right in front of the lodge is part of the Kumano Kodo. Turn left and walk a short way to reach the trailhead. It’s perfect for a bit of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), so feel free to take a casual stroll.

4:30 p.m. Visit Takahara Kumano Shrine.

A five-minute walk from the lodge takes you to Takahara Kumano Shrine, considered the oldest on the Kumano Kodo. Offer a quiet prayer for the wish you hold in your heart.

The vividly painted shrine buildings catch the eye, but it’s the towering camphor trees encircling the grounds that truly awe visitors. Some are estimated to be over 1,000 years old—you can feel their presence up close. Ready to reset and feel restored at this sacred “power spot” on the Kumano Kodo?

5:00 p.m. Enjoy panoramic views of the majestic mountains of Kumano.

A five-minute walk from the lodge brings you to the Takahara Kirinosato (“Fog Village”) Rest Area, a scenic lookout. Take in panoramic views of distant mountain ranges and terraced rice paddies. At dusk, the mountains glow a deep red. Bring a drink from your all-inclusive plan and enjoy some girl talk with friends.

6:00 p.m. Relax in the hot springs at Kirinosato Takahara.

Unwind at the day-use onsen at Kirinosato Takahara, just a 10-minute walk from SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA.
From the baths, you’ll enjoy superb views over the Takahara plateau—perfect for easing tired legs after a day on the trail.

The hot spring water is sourced from Watarase Onsen in the Hongu Hot Spring Village. It’s heated with firewood made from thinned local timber, giving the water a soft, silky feel on the skin.

Note: Day-use availability may vary depending on crowd levels. We recommend calling Kirinosato Takahara in advance to confirm.

▷Kiri-no-Sato Takahara

Telephone number: 0739-64-1900

Address: 826 Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, 646-1416

Please call in advance to check availability before using the day-use hot spring.

7:00 p.m. Have a barbecue on the terrace!

In the evening, fire up a barbecue on the terrace and tuck into plenty of local vegetables, meat, and seafood. The lodge provides all ingredients, tableware, utensils, and a grill—just split up the prep with your friends. All-inclusive drinks include local craft beer and umeshu (plum wine), perfect for pairing with your BBQ.

8:00 p.m. Gather around the campfire and swap stories.

Gathering around the campfire warms both body and soul. As you watch the flames dance, you may find yourself opening up—sharing happy memories or even worries you don’t usually talk about.

9:00 p.m. Gaze up at a sky full of stars.

As night deepens, a sky full of stars appears—the kind you won’t see in the city. Simply gazing at the glittering night sky can help melt away daily stress. The lodge keeps “bench coats” (long insulated coats) on hand, so you’ll be comfy even in the cold season. Grab a lantern and set out on a little stargazing walk.

Day 2.

If you’re up early, you might catch unkai—a sea of clouds. It’s most likely when there’s a big day–night temperature swing, especially on a clear morning after a rainy day.

7:00 a.m. Breathe in the fresh morning air.

When you wake up, step outside and take a deep breath. The crisp mountain air will leave you feeling refreshed. You can also slide open the living-room glass doors to let in the morning sun—perfect for a little yoga or stretching.

8:00 a.m. Enjoy breakfast in an airy, open space.

Enjoy bread and cheese with jams made from local mandarins and plums.

10:00 a.m. Check out.

After check-out, head out for some sightseeing! Here are our top picks.

Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine

This shrine has been the central sacred site for Kumano pilgrims since ancient times. At Oyunohara, the former shrine grounds, a towering grand torii stands about 34 meters tall. You’ll also find a Yatagarasu-themed postbox—the three-legged crow is the messenger of the Kumano deities.

▷45 min drive from SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA.

Tsugizakura-oji & Nonaka-no-Shimizu (Sacred Spring)

This is the former site of Tsugizakura-oji, on whose grounds stands the famous Nonaka no Ippō-sugi (“One-Sided Cedar”), its branches stretching toward the Kumano Sanzan. Nearby, Nonaka-no-Shimizu is a natural spring selected as one of Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters.

▷30 min drive from SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA.

Chikatsuyu-Oji

One of the Five Principal Ōji (Gotai Ōji), the highest-ranking among the Kumano Kodo’s Ninety-nine Ōji shrines dedicated to the Kumano deities.

▷25 min drive from SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA.