Embarking on the Nakahechi variant of the Kumano Kodō, from Tanabe to Kumano Sanzan, is a journey through ancient pilgrimage routes that offer both breathtaking scenery and profound historical significance. Finding a time of year that enhances your experience can make your hike even more enjoyable. We think the best months for most people to walk this trail are late March through early May, or late October through early December. Here’s why these periods stand out:
Spring is a wonderful time to start your hike. During these months, temperatures are comfortably moderate, avoiding both the heat of summer and the chill of winter. Additionally, the Kumano region comes alive with blooming flora, making the trail especially picturesque. Rainfall is generally moderate, providing fresh and clear hiking conditions.
Autumn, particularly late October and November, is another excellent time to hike the Nakahechi. This season boasts mild temperatures similar to spring, avoiding the extremes of summer and winter. The weather is typically stable and pleasant, perfect for hiking. The autumn foliage adds a stunning array of colors to the trail, enhancing the scenic beauty of your journey.
For those seeking a quieter hike, early December might be ideal. While this period is on the brink of winter, the temperatures remain manageable and conducive to hiking. Early December also tends to have lower precipitation levels compared to the wetter months, ensuring the trail is less muddy and more enjoyable. The tranquility of this time of year allows for a more introspective and solitary pilgrimage experience.
By choosing to start your hike in one of these recommended periods, you can enjoy the best that the Nakahechi variant of the Kumano Kodō has to offer. Whether it’s the blooming beauty of spring, the vibrant colors of autumn, or the serene quiet of early winter, each of these times provides an optimal balance of comfortable temperatures and manageable weather conditions, ensuring your pilgrimage is both memorable and enjoyable.
Of course, while these recommendations provide a solid starting point, everyone's preferences and circumstances are unique. Our search tool allows you to customize your journey to align with your specific needs and preferences, ensuring the best possible experience on the trail.
Furthermore, if your plan differs from walking the standard stages from Takijiri-oji to Kumano Nachi Taisha, then you can edit the Search Settings below accordingly.
This ensures you won’t be walking in overly hot weather.
Similarly, this ensures you won’t be walking in cold weather.
This might sound similar to the first step – but instead of looking at averages, it filters out extreme temperatures that don’t happen every year. In other words, you’re excluding those parts of the year when there might be a heat wave.
Like the previous step, this applies to extremes instead of averages – but this time you’re excluding cold snaps.
This step excludes those times of year which might have storms or intense showers.
If the previous steps haven’t narrowed down the search to 20%, you can further limit the dates by finding the overall driest periods.
Feel free to use this guide as a starting point to find the time of year that best suits your personal needs and preferences. By tailoring the filters to your specific situation, you can discover the perfect time of year for your hike.
Below is our weather search tool, with the filters already set up according to this process.
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