Day 1: Nachi Falls Pagoda

Leave the hum of Osaka behind and trace the rugged coastline into the heart of the Kii Mountain Range, where culture grows thicker with every mile. As the city fades, Japan’s spiritual backbone begins to rise—dense forests, mist-covered peaks, and timeless paths once walked by emperors and monks.

We dedicate the day to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route winding through sacred forests and mountain shrines. Along these mossy trails, Kyoto’s imperial elite once offered prayers to spirits believed to live in the rocks, trees, and waterfalls. We’ll visit all three Grand Shrines of Kumano, culminating at Nachi-no-Otaki, the tallest waterfall in Japan—a powerful cascade long revered as a deity itself.

By evening, we arrive in Koya-San, a mountaintop Buddhist enclave. Here, we’ll settle into a working monastery ryokan, where cedar trees tower overhead and time moves slower. Expect a soul-warming traditional meal, followed by a soak in a natural outdoor onsen, tucked deep within the old-growth forest.