Kansai Hikes

With summer fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to plan a jaunt or two away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Japan is a country well-known for its bright and busy cities but it also contains some spectacular natural scenery. The Kansai region, home to the former capital Kyoto, has an abundance of both rural beauty and rich history making it a walker’s paradise. You can choose anything from leisurely strolls to multi-day hikes taking in mountains, river trails, temple pilgrimages and more. Here are a few routes to follow. Kumano Kodo This world-renowned ancient pilgrimage trail is a UNESCO World Heritage Site route. Nestled within the Kii mountain range and spanning 35 km from Mie to Wakayama prefecture, it’s a series of trails that take around 4-5 days to complete. Most walkers focus on a single route, for example the 8 km Nakahechi stretch, but there are inns along the way if you want to complete the trail with overnight stops. The route is lined with shrines and temples and the mountainous parts take you to an elevation of over 1 km, so you’ll need your hiking boots if you want to tackle these parts. Highlights include…