Pilgrims and mountain ascetics have followed the World Heritage Omine-Okugake Trail from Yoshino in Nara to the Kumano Sanzan sacred shrines in Wakayama for over a thousand years. The longest section stretches 75 kilometers from Yoshino to Tamakijinja Shrine in Totsukawa. Climbing these mountain paths is a form of worship for practitioners of Shugendo, a religious tradition that includes spiritual training in the mountains. There are some steep sections best suited to experienced climbers. Spend a few days in this beautiful, sacred region, following manageable parts of the trail.
Day 1
Yamato-Saidaiji Station
BY TRAIN
Around 1 hour to 90 minutes from Yamato-Saidaiji Station, depending on the train. From Yoshino Station, walk about 5 minutes to Yoshino Ropeway.
YoshinoStart in Yoshino, a beautiful part of southern Nara that is celebrated for around 30,000 blooming cherry trees in spring and vivid leaves in autumn. Yoshino is easy to reach by train from Nara City. From Yoshino Station, take the Mt. Yoshino Ropeway to the charming mountain hamlet of Yoshinoyama. In summer, the area is busy with Shugendo practitioners, who gather at Kinpusen-ji Temple before hiking to Mt. Omine. 
BY FOOT
Approximately 10 minutes walk from the Yoshino Ropeway Station.
Kinpusen-ji TempleStroll up the gentle slope to Kinpusen-ji, one of the key temples of Shugendo mountain asceticism. The temple is famous for the three 1300-year-old blue-skinned Zao Gongen statues. Each fierce figure stands around seven meters tall and represents one of the three facets of the Buddha: past, present, and future. History & Culture YoshinoBY FOOT
Approximately 5 minutes walk from Kinpusen-ji Temple.
Yoshinokuzu YasokichiRelax with a coffee or cup of matcha tea, and a bowl of freshly made kuzukiri. These slightly gelatinous noodles are served with dark sugar syrup for dipping. The mountain views from the cafe terrace are spectacular. Japanese Cafes YoshinoBY FOOT
Approximately 12 minutes walk from Yoshinokuzu Yasokichi.
Chikurin-in GunpoenAfter exploring the area, stay at one of the comfortable inns on the mountain. Chikurin-in Gunpoen was once a lodging for Shugendo practitioners, but now this 1300-year-old temple-turned-ryokan is open to all. Guests are free to explore the adjoining 300-year-old garden. Enjoy a soothing onsen bath before enjoying a lavish dinner. Get a good night’s sleep, ready for a hearty breakfast and an invigorating day of hiking. Ryokan Yoshino End of Day 1
Day 2
Chikurin-in GunpoenBY FOOT
Approximately 30 minutes walk from Chikurin-in Gunpoen.
Hanayagura ObservatoryIt’s about 30 minutes on foot from Chikurin-in Gunpoen to the observatory. Enjoy sweeping views over the mountains and clouds of pink cherry blossoms in spring. There are toilets and drink vending machines near the observatory. From here, it’s a short walk to Kimpu-Jinja Shrine, and the trailhead of the Omine Okugake Trail. Be sure to have enough water for the hike to Dorogawa Onsen, which will take around 5 hours. Nature & The Outdoors YoshinoBY FOOT
Approximately 35 minutes walk from Hanayagura Observatory.
Kimpu-Jinja ShrineFollow the road to Shu-Gyo Mon Gate, a large torii gate that marks the entrance to Kimpu-Jinja Shrine. The shrine is home to the guardian god of Mt. Yoshino, making it one of the most sacred in the Yoshino area. To this day, Shugendo practitioners continue to carry out ascetic training in and around Kimpu-jinja. Passing through the torii gate, you are on the Omine Okugake Trail. There are toilets and a large sign board with a map of the trail and information in multiple languages. History & Culture YoshinoBY FOOT
Approximately 5 to 6 hours walk from Kimpu-Jinja Shrine.
Dorogawa OnsenLeave the trail when you reach Gobanseki Noboriguchi (literally "entrance to the fifth pass"). At this point, the trail splits to Mt. Omine or Dorogawa. Women are not permitted to enter Mt. Omine, and there are signs in several languages to make this clear. Instead, you can follow the trail down the mountain to Dorogawa Onsen. BY FOOT
Hanaya Tokubei is in the center of Dorogawa Onsen, close to the Yamagami River.
Hanaya TokubeiRelax after a day of hiking with a stay at Hanaya Tokubei, a traditional inn located in the heart of Dorogawa Onsen. This family-run ryokan has served travelers and Shugendo pilgrims for around 500 years. The onsen baths have mountain views, and some can be reserved for private use. Ryokan Dorogawa Onsen End of Day 2
Day 3
Dorogawa Hot Spring Bus Stop
BY BUS
Approximately 75 minutes by bus from Dorogawa Hot Spring Bus Stop to Shimoichiguchi Station.
Exploring FurtherYou can rejoin the Omine-Okugake Trail to Mt. Misen or return to Nara City. To rejoin the trail, take a bus from Dorogawa Onsen to the Tenkawa Kawai Bus Stop and follow signs to Mt. Misen. Buses from Dorogawa Onsen depart approximately every 2 hours to Shimoichiguchi Station, where you can take a train back to Nara (a little over 2 hours), or explore the ancient town of Asuka.End of Day 3
