5 Pet-Friendly Stays on the Kumano Kodo
What is the Kumano Kodo?
The Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the three grand shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan. Once used for the sacred Kumano Pilgrimage, it remains a revered spiritual site today and continues to attract visitors from across Japan.
Stretching over 600 kilometers, the trails are dotted with historic landmarks and scenic spots, offering a range of routes to explore.
Traveling the Kumano Kodo with Your Pet
In this article, we introduce pet-friendly accommodations along the Kumano Kodo—perfect for travelers who want to experience this sacred route together with their furry companions.
Container villa with private garden. SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU
SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU is located along the Nakahechi route, one of the main trails of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kumano Kodo. It offers a convenient location just a 20-minute drive from Kumano Hongu Taisha—one of the three grand shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan—and Oyunohara, home to Japan’s largest torii gate.
The property features stylish container villas with private gardens, a large fire pit, and a stone oven for baking pizzas.
In each private garden, you can let your dog freely run around on the lawn. As it’s an all-inclusive stay, there’s no need to shop for meals or drinks. You can travel light thanks to the wide range of locally sourced food, beverages, and amenities from Wakayama Prefecture. A washer-dryer is also available free of charge, making it easy to stay for several days.
Out of seven villas, two six-person units are pet-friendly. Optional dog treats such as beef jerky are available, and each villa is equipped with a projector—perfect for relaxing movie nights with your dog or enjoying cozy conversations around the bonfire.
This accommodation is ideal for travelers who want to fully enjoy their time in comfort with their pets.
Pet amenities
None.
Dog food menu
Yes (beef jerky)
Accommodation for large dogs
Not allowed (up to the size of a small or medium-sized dog that can be carried in a cage).
Doggy accommodation fee
Not available (included in the owner’s accommodation fee).
Requests from the inn
1.In shared areas, do not let pets roam free. Pets must be transported in a carrier/crate.
2.Do not leave pets unattended in the guest room.
3.Do not place pets—or pet items such as carriers, food, or litter trays—on the bedding.
4.If any accidents, stains, or damage occur, the actual cleaning and/or repair costs will be charged.
5.Brushing and shampooing pets are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Official website
https://sen-retreat.com/stay/chikatsuyu/
Access.
〒646-1402 1806 Chikatsuyu, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Farmhouse Inn Haru — a hidden retreat available to just one group per day.
Perfectly located for visiting Kumano Kodo highlights, Farmhouse Inn Haru sits about a 40-minute walk from Hosshinmon-oji and 70 minutes on foot to Kumano Hongu Taisha. This one-group-per-day hideaway serves comforting country meals around an irori (traditional sunken hearth).
Guests can also enjoy hands-on farming experiences, and there’s a Kumano Kodo booklet compiled by a regular guest to browse. The hosts are known for their warm, easygoing hospitality, making conversations a pleasure.
Pet policy: Please prepare pet food and take care of your pets yourself during the stay.
Pet amenities
None.
Dog food menu
None.
Accommodation for large dogs
Possible
Doggy accommodation fee
Free of charge
Requests from the inn
Please take care of your pets’ waste, food, etc. by yourself.
Official website.
http://www.age.ne.jp/x/okamoto/index.html
Access.
〒647-1743 1327, Fushikawase, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
You can also enjoy free-flowing hot springs. Onsen Minshuku Omuraya
If you want to soak in hot springs and also relax in your room with your pet, Onsen Minshuku Omuraya is a great choice. It’s under a 10-minute drive or just under an hour on foot from Kumano Hongu Taisha, making it perfectly located for Kumano Kodo sightseeing. Shuttle service between the shrine and the inn is available on request.
Unlike many places that don’t accept very large dogs, giant breeds are welcome here, making it an excellent option for owners who usually struggle to find accommodations.
The inn features free-flowing, non-recirculated spring water baths, and you can enjoy time with your dog not only in your room but also in the lobby and dining area. As a fun perk, you’ll even receive an eco bag printed with your pet’s photo.
ペット用アメニティ
Complimentary foot wipes
Dog run
Yes, dog run available
Dog food menu
Not available
Accommodation for large dogs
Possible (very large dogs are welcome).
Doggy accommodation fee
2,200 yen (regardless of size)
Requests from the inn
1.Please wear manner belts and pants inside the inn.
2.Please bring proof of rabies and vaccination.
Official website
Access.
〒647-1717 1406-1 Kawayu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Private-Use Cottages Beside a Clear Mountain Stream | Kumano Shikitei
Kumano Shikitei is an exclusive one-group-per-day private cottage where you can unwind while gazing at a crystal-clear stream. The property sleeps up to 30 guests and can be divided into four separate sections, making it perfect for large groups or travelers on a Kumano pilgrimage.
The cottage is conveniently located about 20 minutes by car from Fushiogami-oji, one of the iconic spots along the Kumano Kodo, and around 10 minutes from Kumano Hongu Taisha. Nearby attractions include Tsuboyu at Yunomine Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kawayu Onsen, where spring water bubbling up from the riverbed mingles with the Oto River, and the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Art Museum, designed by renowned architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.
The baths feature hinoki (Japanese cypress) tubs, and the cottage comes fully equipped with kitchenware and BBQ tools, so you can pack light. While pets are not allowed indoors, they’re welcome to spend time with you in the courtyard or on the terrace.
Pet amenities
None.
Dog run
None
Dog food menu
None
Accommodation for large dogs
Possible
Doggy accommodation fee
Free of charge
Requests from the inn.
1.Pets are not allowed indoors (in any guest rooms or interior areas).
2.Do not allow pets to relieve themselves anywhere on the premises. Please bring absorbent pet pads and dispose of waste properly.
3.Bring a crate or carrier and keep pets leashed or otherwise secured in the courtyard or on the outdoor terrace.
4.Do not allow pets to damage any landscaping, gravel, or property.
5.Please sign the Pet Policy Agreement (and apply your personal seal, if required) and submit it by email or post before your check-in date.
Official website
Access.
〒647-1722 162 Kosomori, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Megami-no-Yu Iris Auto Campground — Riverside Camping with Onsen Access
Located midway along the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, Megami-no-Yu Iris Auto Campground sits in Chikatsuyu, an ideal spot for travelers exploring the sacred trails. The highlight of this site is its hot spring, Okukumano Onsen “Megami-no-Yu”, a natural sodium bicarbonate spring famous for its silky, skin-smoothing waters. The Hioki River flows nearby, offering opportunities for riverside play in summer. Bathing fees are included in the camping rate, so you can enjoy the onsen at no extra cost.
The grounds feature 40 auto-camp sites and 14 bungalows, accommodating both campers and those seeking a more lodge-style stay. Day-camping is also available. Guests can rent tableware, portable stoves, sleeping bags, and firewood, making it easy to travel light.
Pets are welcome inside bungalows if kept in a crate or carrier.
Pet amenities
None
Dog run
None
Dog food menu
None
Accommodation for large dogs
Allowed (must be caged to enter the bungalows).
Doggy accommodation fee
Free of charge
Requests from the inn
1.Please inform us at the time of booking that you will be staying with a pet.
2.While on the property, keep pets leashed (or otherwise secured) at all times.
3.Do not bring pets into public areas such as the communal kitchen/wash-up facilities or other shared spaces.
4.Do not leave pets unattended (e.g., while bathing or when going off-site).
5.Inside bungalows, keep pets in a crate/carrier.
Official website
Access.
〒646-1402 128-1 Chikatsuyu, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
If you are looking for campsites in Wakayama Prefecture, check out this article!
Pets are welcome at Kumano Hongu Taisha, a World Heritage Site on the Kumano Kodo!
We introduced recommended accommodations for sightseeing the Kumano Kodo World Heritage area, which spans four prefectures including Wakayama. All of the places featured offer excellent access to Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara, home to Japan’s largest torii gate—a perfect base for enjoying the Kumano Kodo to the fullest.
At Kumano Hongu Taisha you’ll find a sign that reads, “Pets are family members—please feel free to visit together.” Visitors are asked to carry their pets (in your arms or in a carrier) when entering the sacred areas, but it’s wonderful that you can worship together.
Finding truly pet-friendly lodging can be tricky. Use this article as a reference and explore the Kumano Kodo with your dog—a beloved member of the family.
If you’re looking for pet-friendly hotels and hot springs in Wakayama Prefecture, be sure to check out this related article as well. It also notes whether facilities have dog runs and what pet amenities are provided.
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