Today you will catch the train from Kyoto to Kii-Tanabe, a small coastal city and for centuries the main access point for the Kumano Kodo trails.

Here you'll have a short orientation session before grabbing a bite to eat and catching the bus to Takijiri-Oji.

The small village of Takijiri-Oji is the point at which you'll begin your exploration of the Kumano Kodo proper. Today you'll walk the 3.7 km through ancient forest filled with giant camphor trees and sacred caves to Takahara, a ridge-top settlement above the clouds where you'll be spending your first night in the mountains.

Your accommodation in Takahara commands sweeping views of the surrounding Hatenashi Mountain Range, with a top-quality kaiseki dinner made from local produce and a bento lunchbox provided to keep you going on your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge

Today you will be undertaking the long hike from Takahara to Nonaka, a 14 km route that will take you past the ruins of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse and across the Hashiori-toge Pass, with its Gyubadoji statue of one of the first pilgrim emperors.

You'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding countryside from various points along the way before eventually arriving in Nonaka, a tiny hamlet perched on tiered terraces on the side of a mountain.

Tonight you'll stay at a Japanese-style minshuku inn run by a professional chef who has worked in restaurants all over Japan – so you can be sure that your included dinner will be a delight!

Overnight: Minshuku Tsugizakura

From Nonaka it is a challenging 21 km hike to Hongu Taisha, the very heart of the Kumano Kodo and the region's most important shrine.

If you don't feel like hiking all this way there are plenty of buses that can help you cut down the walking time to suit your preference and ability. There are no restaurants on the way so your lunch will be a bento lunchbox prepared by your minshuku in Nonaka.

After exploring the Kumano Hongu Taisha you'll take the bus onwards to Yunomine Onsen, one of the oldest spa towns in Japan. Here you can rest your aching muscles in the only functioning UNESCO World Heritage hot spring bath in the country, before tucking in to another delicious kaiseki spread at your minshuku accommodation tonight.

Overnight: Yunomineso

You'll begin your day on day four with a leisurely boat trip along the Kumano River to Hatayama Taisha, the second of the three great shrines. This is how pilgrims traditionally approached the shrine and should be a lovely relaxing morning!

Lunch today will be another included bento lunchbox delivered to your minshuku in Yunomine before your departure this morning.

After visiting the shrine it's a short train ride from nearby Shingu to Kii-Katsuura, where you'll be staying at a large, Japanese-style hotel right on the water. After another wonderful included dinner of fresh local seafood and we highly recommend finishing off the evening in the hotel's hot spring baths overlooking the bay.

After returning to Kii-Katsuura town this morning you'll catch a bus to Daimonzaka Chushajo, from whence you'll make the one-hour walk to the Kumano Nachi Taisha: the last of the Kumano Kodo's three great shrines. This walk takes you part of the way along the Daimonzaka, an impressive 600 m cobbled stairway with a total of 267 stairs, lined with towering Japanese cedar and bamboo groves.

Nachi Taisha, the culmination of today's walk, boasts a magnificent red pagoda and stands against the striking backdrop of Nachi-no-Otaki: Japan's tallest waterfall. Take some time to marvel at this amazing sight before taking the bus back to Kii-Katsuura Station, from where it's a four-hour train ride around the peninsula to Osaka.

Overnight: Katsuura Gyoen