Kumano Kodo by Car: Recommended Road-Trip Routes
The Kumano Kodo was Japan’s first “road” to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This network of ancient pilgrimage routes stretches for about 1,000 kilometers across four prefectures—Wakayama, Mie, Nara, and Osaka.
Many travelers from around the world come to walk its historic paths and visit the Kumano Sanzan—the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.
While the Kumano Kodo is often associated with hiking, many trailheads and sites have parking, so it’s also convenient to visit by car.
In this guide, we share recommended self-drive routes and parking tips for exploring the Kumano Kodo by private car or rental.
One-Day Kumano Sanzan & Trekking Route
First up is a one-day route that lets you visit the Kumano Sanzan—the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano—and fit in a scenic trek.
Exploring the shrines on foot or by public transport typically requires at least an overnight (two days), but with a car you can comfortably cover them in a single day.
8:00 Park at the Kumano Hongu Taisha parking lot.
8:20 Board a bus at the ‘Hongu Taisha-mae’ bus stop (see bus timetable here).
↓ Bus 20 mins.
8:40 Arrive at ‘Hatsushinmon-oji’ bus stop
↓ Trek 3.5 hours (including rest stops, approx. 7km)
11:30Arrive at Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine and visit
12:00Lunch near Kumano Hongu Taisha
↓ Walk 5 min.
13:00 Visit Osaibara
↓ 45-minute drive
14:00 Visit Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine
↓ 35 minutes by car
15:20 Visit Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine
↓ 5 minutes by car
16:00 Visit Nachi Waterfall
If you’re coming from the Kansai region, a day trip is doable if you leave early in the morning.
If you’re traveling from farther away, consider overnighting near Kumano Hongu Taisha the night before, or staying in Nachi afterward.
If you’re new to trekking, make sure to prepare your gear carefully—we’ve outlined recommended essentials in the article below.
Recommended Lunch Spots Near Kumano Hongu Taisha
Near Kumano Hongu Taisha, you’ll find a variety of places that serve lunches featuring plenty of local produce, as well as eateries where you can dine in a natural setting. Wakayama’s vegetables, game (gibier), and seafood are all delicious.
If you’re visiting the Kumano Kodo, check out the article below for lunch spots worth a stop.
Courses to enjoy the Kumano Kodo to the fullest without walking.
A recommended route for those with small children or those who cannot walk long distances is to make use of a car and enjoy the Kumano Kodo with very little walking. Parking around the Kumano Sanzan is described in the second half of this article.
If you want to have more time, we recommend staying the night before or after and touring the Kumano Kodo in two days and one night.
If you are coming from the Kansai region, it is best to visit Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha in that order, and if you are coming from Nagoya, it is best to visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hongu Taisha in that order to ensure a smooth tour. This time, we will introduce a model course if you are visiting from the Nagoya direction.
11:00 Arrive at Kumano Hayatama-taisha Shrine and visit
↓ 5 mins by car
11:30 Visit Gotobiki Rock
↓ 30 minutes by car
12:30Lunch near Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine
↓ Arrive at Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine and visit Gotobiki Rock
13:30Visit Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine, Seigantoji Temple and Nachi Falls
↓ 60 minutes by car
15:30 Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
↓ 5 min. by car
16:00 Visit Osaibara (former shrine site of Kumano Hongu Taisha)
At Kumano Nachi Taisha, it’s best to use the on-site shrine parking lot. If you park at the free lot at the base, you’ll need to hike up the Daimonzaka approach—about one hour uphill.
Nachi is famous for maguro (tuna), so be sure to try the local specialties while you’re there.
Where to Park for the Kumano Sanzan (and Where You Can Park for Free)
Parking can be a concern when visiting the Kumano Sanzan by car.
Below, we highlight recommended parking areas near the three shrines, including free options.
Parking at Kumano Hongu Taisha
There are three general parking areas for private and rental cars, plus one lot near the main sanctuary (honden) reserved for visitors with disabilities.
From the general lots—Kinosato Parking, Zuihōden Parking, and the Kumano Hongu Pilgrimage (Riverside) Free Parking—you’ll need to climb 158 stone steps to reach the shrine buildings. Zuihōden Parking is especially convenient, with more spaces and many souvenir shops nearby.
The accessible lot near the main sanctuary provides step-free access (no slopes or stairs). (Use is limited to visitors with disabilities.)
Parking address.
‘Tree Village, parking lot.’
‘Zuifengdian Parking Lot.’
‘Free parking at the Kumano Hongu Shrine (riverside)’
‘Parking near the main shrine (for disabled persons only)’
Charges.
Free
Parking at Kumano Hayatama Taisha
If you’re coming by car, there is a free parking lot near the shrine. Spaces are limited (around 20 cars), but temporary lots open during peak seasons.
Parking address.
〒647-0081 1-6 Shingu, Shingu, Wakayama
Charges.
Free
Parking at Kumano Nachi-taisha shrine.
The Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine has a free parking lot, (i) the ‘Daimonzaka Parking Lot’ and (ii) the ‘Shrine Parking Lot’ at the end of the toll road (parking itself is free), (iii) the ‘Nachinotaki Parking Lot’ closest to Nachi Falls and (iv) the ‘Kumano Kotsu Nachi Mountain Tourism Centre Parking Lot’ about five minutes walk to Nachinotaki Falls.
(i) From the ‘Daimonzaka Parking Lot’ to Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine, you need to walk for about an hour along the cobbled steps called Daimonzaka, but it is free.
(ii) To get to the ‘Shrine Parking Lot’, a shrine disaster prevention road toll of 800 yen is required, but is recommended for those who want to visit the Kumano Sanzan in one day to save time.
(iii) The ‘Nachi-no-Taki Falls Parking Lot’ provides excellent access to Nachi-no-Taki Falls, but it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the main building of Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine and Seigando-ji Temple.
(iv) The ‘Kumano Kotsu Nachi Sightseeing Centre’ is a facility with a cafeteria and souvenir shops. It also serves as a parking lot for large buses and is the largest parking lot (70 passenger cars) in the Nachisan area.
Parking lot.
(1) ‘Daimonzaka parking lot’. 〒649-5302 3034-2, Ichino, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
(ii) ‘Shrine parking lot’. 〒649-5301 1, Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
(iii) ‘Nachi Falls parking lot’. 〒649-5301 Nachiyama, Nachi-Katsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, in front of Nachi-no-taki Falls.
(iv) ‘Kumano Kotsu Nachisan Tourist Centre parking lot’. 〒649-5301 442-2, Nachiyama, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama.
Fees.
1) ‘Daimonzaka parking lot’: free of charge
(ii) ‘Shrine parking lot’: 800 yen (as a toll for the shrine disaster prevention road)
(iii) ‘Nachi-no-Taki Falls Parking Lot’: Free of charge
(4) ‘Kumano Kotsu Nachisan Tourist Centre Parking Lot’: Free (500 yen for standard vehicles during major holidays such as New Year’s Eve and New Year, Bon Festival and Golden Week)
If you go to the trouble, take a relaxing trip! Recommended accommodation along the Kumano Kodo
If you want to explore the Kumano Kodo at a relaxed pace, stay along the route and plan a one-night, two-day itinerary.
We’ve highlighted our recommended places to stay in the article below.
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