Kumano
Discover Kumano
Kumano is a remote vacation location unspoiled by tourism and ripe with natural beauty. There are many sections of the ancient pilgrimage route throughout Mie and Wakayama but there is only one Kumano City. One of the rare chances to see an ancient Japan filled with mountains, rice fields, rock formations, an endless coastline, older residents who make up the majority of the town strolling the streets of the same city their grandparents and their grandparent's grandparents used to stroll. Once a year this little town becomes a madhouse when it hosts the Kumano Hanabi Taikai fireworks festival, one of Japan's biggest fireworks displays, taking on much more people than the town was ever meant to handle.
What to Experience in Kumano
Taste of Kumano...
No one can leave Kumano without trying the mikan, locally grown mandarin oranges! When they're in season, you can simply big a large bag off of a farm stand on the street for a few hundred yen. Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city. The kind of place where if you accidentally drop your wallet, a few seconds later a nice old women will be chasing after you with them so grateful for the chance to give it back!
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsKumano's main train station, Kumanoshi (熊野市), is on the JR Kisei line. The Nanki Limited Express trains from the north run 4-5 times daily from Nagoya, and local trains run from Taki. From Wakayama, transfer at Shingu. A few buses run throughout the city and local trains can get you to the few Kumano stations that are situated along the coastline. For better freedom and time management, it is recommended to come with a car. Kumano has some great gift shops right outside the station selling unique rock carvings from a black stone native to the area, homemade jewelry, fireworks postcards, and all the mikan cell phone straps you could want. No one can leave Kumano without trying the mikan, locally grown mandarin oranges! When they're in season, you can simply big a large bag off of a farm stand on the street for a few hundred yen. Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
A few buses run throughout the city and local trains can get you to the few Kumano stations that are situated along the coastline. For better freedom and time management, it is recommended to come with a car. Kumano has some great gift shops right outside the station selling unique rock carvings from a black stone native to the area, homemade jewelry, fireworks postcards, and all the mikan cell phone straps you could want. No one can leave Kumano without trying the mikan, locally grown mandarin oranges! When they're in season, you can simply big a large bag off of a farm stand on the street for a few hundred yen. Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city. The kind of place where if you accidentally drop your wallet, a few seconds later a nice old women will be chasing after you with them so grateful for the chance to give it back!
Where to Stay
Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city. The kind of place where if you accidentally drop your wallet, a few seconds later a nice old women will be chasing after you with them so grateful for the chance to give it back!
Money & Budget
Kumano has some great gift shops right outside the station selling unique rock carvings from a black stone native to the area, homemade jewelry, fireworks postcards, and all the mikan cell phone straps you could want. No one can leave Kumano without trying the mikan, locally grown mandarin oranges! When they're in season, you can simply big a large bag off of a farm stand on the street for a few hundred yen. Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city. The kind of place where if you accidentally drop your wallet, a few seconds later a nice old women will be chasing after you with them so grateful for the chance to give it back!
Language & Talk
People from Kumano speak a specific dialect that may sound to the untrained ear like a variation of Osaka dialect. While the older residents may be a bit hard to understand, they'll still be proud to try to help you with the little English they know. Pamphlets from the tourist office may be obtained in English. Kumano's main train station, Kumanoshi (熊野市), is on the JR Kisei line. The Nanki Limited Express trains from the north run 4-5 times daily from Nagoya, and local trains run from Taki. From Wakayama, transfer at Shingu. A few buses run throughout the city and local trains can get you to the few Kumano stations that are situated along the coastline. For better freedom and time management, it is recommended to come with a car.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Except for a few drunken business or older men who may wander out at night, Kumano is more or less a safe city. The kind of place where if you accidentally drop your wallet, a few seconds later a nice old women will be chasing after you with them so grateful for the chance to give it back!
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kumano
A picture of a sunset taken from a train
a wooden sign in the middle of a forest
A car parks near a river's edge.
a dirt path in the middle of a forest
a moss covered rock with leaves on it
a person walking down a path next to a green wall
Japanese rural scenery
The Doro-kyo Gorge is an incredible sight, especially for those who love huge cliffs, tall trees, and mountain reflections in the river below. The valley even has a rope-bridge connecting the two sides of the gorge. This suspension bridge is a great way to take in the full expanse of the valley, as well as an exciting challenge for those brave enough to attempt it! For those who want to experience a more traditional view of the area, there are several hiking trails winding up or down the sides of the mountain. These trails often feature stunning views of the gorge and its tributary rivers.
Photo taken from the river in the valley of Doro-kyo, Japan, overlooking the beautiful cliffs, trees, and reflections of the mountains in the water. The vastness of the valley is breathtaking, with its lush greenery and serene atmosphere. Doro-kyo Valley is a popular destination for hikers, nature lovers, and photographers alike due to its stunning views and unique landscape.
a black and white photo of a mountain range
A picture of a sunset taken from a train
a wooden sign in the middle of a forest
A car parks near a river's edge.