We used Oku Japan to book a 6-day hike on the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi trail. From the beginning, they were very helpful and accommodating to our wishes. We had a rest day in between and booked a meditation with a monk. This was a special experience, but probably not for everyone. Each accommodation that we stayed at was awesome and everything was planned accordingly. We used the luggage service which was very helpful. Breakfast, lunch and dinner was provided at each accommodation and the food was more than you could eat! We never ran into any issues and felt very taken care of. This is an extremely busy time for booking self-guided tours, and we feel very grateful to have had such a positive experience. Great job, Oku Japan!

Caitlin F and Terra F, United States

We recently did two self guided Oku tours - the 6 day Kumano Kodo Kiiji hike and the 6 day Kumano Kodo taking in the Iseji trail.  Both trips were fantastic.  The organisation was excellent.  Very detailed instructions, maps, and ongoing support by staff on all matters. Accomodation and food was very traditional and a great part of the overall experience. The walks are not particularly difficult (with plenty of options for extending or shortening the length of the walks) and go through a wonderful range of landscapes, past many gorgeous temples, shrines and villages.  The side trips were really appreciated. For those who appreciate seeing Japan without the throng of tourists, I would highly recommend the Oku hikes. 

Cristina C, Australia

I am writing to pass our thanks onto to the Oku team and the accommodation providers you had arranged for our trip. We arrived safely back on Tuesday into Tokyo. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk with the perfect weather we had and experiencing the beautiful autumn/fall colours as we progressed along our walk. The highlights of our trip: The friendly accommodation hosts we stayed with; The food, the food and the food 😊;
Meeting the Oku rep at Tsumago; The monkeys along the way; The extra day at Kiso Fukushima giving us time to explore the waterfall and more of the natural beauty in that area.

Peter N, Australia

Making friends is half the fun of even a self-guided trekking tour. I enjoyed being able to go at my own pace, contemplating the culture and nature of the pilgrimage route while also hooking up with my new friends for meals and onsen. A perfect balance for reflection and connection on this ancient and accessible trek.

Karen H, United States

My partner and I wanted to do an interesting walk in Japan during our 3 week May 2018 stay in Japan. JTB Australia who we chose to book our whole tour with due to their knowledge of Japan recommended OKU JAPAN for the Komuno Kodo trail walk. A 3 night 4 day walk across the Kii Peninsular was arranged from Kii-Tanabe on the west coast to Hongu in the centre.

Our walk itinerary, maps and a waterproof plastic map holder were delivered to our Kyoto hotel to meet us on arrival as promised.

Sure enough the first challenging day greeted us with heavy rain, with all clothing including shoes and packs saturated - but for our waterproof itinerary and maps!

The walk was quite challenging at times, but very satisfying, with a number of shrines and villages visited, and comprehensive notes on the deep historical origins of the walk.

The accommodation ranged from a small Ryokan, to a private homestay, and finally a luxury onsen “spa hotel”. They were very different and interesting, and two meals and a packed lunch were provided each day and bags forwarded without fault.

The highlight of our OKU JAPAN experience though was how we were cared for when my wallet was lost on the second day of the walk. Without exception we were told you will get it back, you can trust Japanese who are so very honest, which turned out to be right.

On arrival at Chikatsuyu where the OKU office is based we went straight to the OKU JAPAN office in the centre of the village. There we met Satoe and Mayumi who welcomed us partner like family. After offering tea or coffee, phone calls were made to our hosts the previous night, the owners of a cafe at the base of the main climb for the day, and the police. Then because I had developed a painful groin injury we were driven to the local supermarket to buy some treats.

The following afternoon we received a delightful call from Mayumi at OKU advising that my wallet had been handed in to the cafe, with all contents in place, and that the Chikatsuyu Police would deliver it to me that evening.

I was so pleased to have my wallet with cash, credit cards and driver’s licence returned in tact. Most of all I was so impressed by the efficiency, courtesy and kindness shown by Satoe and Mayumi in the OKU JAPAN Chikatsuyu office. This company choose its staff very well!

Rob F and Diana C, Australia

Jon and I want to thank you for organising such a fantastic tour. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment and are so impressed with all aspects of the trip ... it was everything you promised and more than we expected ... and we want to thank you for your fantastic service, patience and prompt response to all of our questions leading up to the trip.
We especially want to say how much we enjoyed the 2 weeks with Aria. She is an absolute treasure and a real asset to your business. From meeting us at check-in at the hotel to seeing us off on the bus, she provided a level of service that was exemplary. She put us at ease on our first day in Tokyo, and was a delight throughout the entire trip.