Day 1:
Osaka
Arrival at Kansai International Airport in Osaka and transfer to your hotel in Osaka.
Overnight: Westin Osaka or similar
Day 2:
Osaka - Matsuyama
After breakfast, head to Osaka-Itami Airport and board a fight to Matsuyama.
Upon arrival, proceed to Ehime prefecture and visit Dogo Onsen Honkan (Main Building), a
wooden public bath house built during the Meiji era in 1894. Also visit “Ishiteji Temple” . This temple has 7 national treasures built about 700 years ago.
Overnight: Funaya or similar
[Breakfast / Dinner]
Day 3:
Shimanto River - Kochi
Today will be a long day of travel by car. After breakfast, drive out to Kochi prefecture.
Enjoy Shimanto River, which is Japan's last pristine river, and known for its rocky outcrops.
The fnal stretch after the cruise to your hotel will be a scenic drive of approx. 3 hours.
Overnight: Hotel Nikko Kochi Asahi Royal or similar
[Breakfast]
Day 4:
Kochi - Iya Valley
After breakfast head to Tokushima prefecture. After visit to Kochi Castle and Katsurahama.
After sightseeing, proceed to Iya Valley. Enjoy for short boat ride through Oboke and Koboke
Gorges down the Yoshino River. Enjoy the scenery that has been designated as a special place of scenic beauty.
Overnight: Hotel Iya Onsen or similar
[Breakfast / Dinner]
Day 5:
Takamatsu
After breakfast, proceed to Takamatsu (Kagawa). Visit Kotohira-gu Shrine, the main
Shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around Japan that are dedicated to sailors and
seafaring. Located on the wooded slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira, the approach to Kompirasan is an arduous series of 1,368 stone steps.The location of Zentsuji temple is the birthplace of one of the most revered fgures of Japanese Buddhism, the high priest Kobo Daishi, or Kukai . The temple the Sohonzan ( the head temple of a Buddhist sect) of the Shingonshu Zentsuji sect. Kobo Daishi built this temple himself in 807 when he returned from China. Taking six years to complete.
Overnight: JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar
[Breakfast]
Day 6:
Tokushima
After breakfast, head to Tokushima prefecture. Visit the Naruto Whirlpools, created by unique
underwater geography of the narrow strait and the large volume of water moving between the
Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In the evening, visit the Awa Odori Kaikan to
enjoy Awa Dance Performance.
Overnight: JR Hotel Clement Tokushima or similar
[Breakfast]
Day 7:
Tokushima - Kumano
After breakfast, proceed to Tokushima Port. Take a ferry to Wakayama Port, then transfer to
the Kumano area.
Overnight: Hana Irodori no Yado Kayuu or similar
[Breakfast / Dinner
Day 8:
Kumano
After breakfast, explore the Kumano area. The ancient Kumano region is nestled in the verdant mountains of Wakayama Prefecture — the spiritual heartland of Japan. This lush and rugged area has been considered the abode of the gods and worshipped for centuries. Visit Nachi Taisha Shrine, Nachi Water fall, Kumano Hayatama Shrine.
Overnight: Hana Irodori no Yado Kayuu or similar
[Breakfast / Dinner]
Day 9:
Kumano - Mt. Koya
After breakfast, prepare to walk along the pilgrimage roue of Kumano Kodo, walking
about 3.5 hours with a Japanese story teller to Kumano Hongu Shrine. After visiting the shrine, proceed to Mt. Koya.
Overnight: Soji-in or similar
[Breakfast]
Day 10:
Mt. Koya
In the early morning , attend a Buddhist sermon by the local monks (Japanese only).
After breakfast, enjoy local sightseeing visiting Kongobuji Temple, Daito Pagoda and Okunoin.
After sightseeing, head to Osaka.
Overnight: The Westin Osaka or similar
[Breakfast]
Day 11:
Osaka
After breakfast, transfer to Osaka International airport. From Osaka airport, take your flight
back to the US.