Kunisaki Peninsula: The Minemichi Trail – 7 Days
JapanKunisaki

Kunisaki Peninsula: The Minemichi Trail – 7 Days

7 Days
Moderate

Kunisaki Peninsula: The Minemichi Trail – 7 Days

from £1,615 / person

Overview

Walk in and out of gorgeous Japanese Ryokans and hotels located in the deep heart of the Kunisaki Mountains. This is as off-the-beaten-track as Japan gets. You won't be fighting crowds, you'll barely see another soul on the trail. Your main human contact? The wonderfully hospitable hosts at your traditional onsen accommodation each night savouring authentic Japanese meals.

From the 8th century, monks have walked this remote peninsula practicing a unique blend of Shinto and Buddhism known as Rokugo Manzan culture. The pilgrimage route, the Rokugo Manzan Minemichi,  covers 160 kilometres through 183 sacred spots: cliff-carved statues, ancient caves, and temples tucked into volcanic landscapes. The journey begins at Usa Jingu Shrine, the spiritual birthplace of the entire tradition, and winds through stunning Japanese countryside from temple to temple, shrine to shrine. On the final walking day, a local guide joins you for something special, Monjusen-ji Temple where there is a possibility of a fire cleansing ceremony at, followed by Futago-ji Temple, the revered head temple and spiritual headquarters of the whole Rokugo Manzan movement.

The trip wraps up with a transfer to Beppu, where you'll soak away the kilometres in one of Japan's most famous onsen towns.

Highlights

  • This meticulously constructed itinerary ensures you walk via all the major temples and shrines.
  • Explore Usa Jingu Shrine, a significant spiritual site associated with over 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan & the spiritual beginning of the trail.
  • Explore the spiritual end of the trail at Monjusen-ji Temple and Futagoji temple with your own guide for a whole day.
  • Wander the quiet forests and ancient paths of the Kunisaki Rokugo Manzan tradition.
  • Sample local flavours and eat quality Japanese meals at your accommodations.
  • Relax in authentic hot spring Ryokans and hotels each night.
  • Engage in the Goma fire ritual at Monjusen-ji Temple, which combines spiritual practice with cultural heritage.
  • End in Beppu one of Japan's iconic onsen towns.

Itinerary

Day 1

Introduction to the Kunisaki Peninsula
3 km1-2h

Make your way to Usa Station in Kyushu by the afternoon, then take a short five-minute taxi ride to your accommodation. Enjoy the small town and its surrounds. Stay at the Japanese-style accommodation at Koushita Ryokan.

Accommodation

Ryokan in Koushita Ryokan

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

Ryokan (5 nights), Japanese-style room or western style room (1 night)

Meals

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 6 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Taxi Transfer
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

3-15 km

Daily distance range

305-730 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

You'll stay in a mix of Western-style hotels and traditional ryokan as you make your way along the trail. The ryokan are where the trip comes alive: tatami mat flooring, shoji screens and futon bedding give you a genuine taste of Japanese hospitality, and a few properties blend these traditional touches with more modern comforts. Bathroom facilities are often shared, with onsen baths separated by gender, so you can settle into the ritual of onsen bathing after a day on the trail.

What You'll Eat

Meals follow the character of each night's accommodation, from home-style cooking to elegant kaiseki courses and simple bento-style spreads, giving you a genuine taste of regional Japanese cuisine as you travel. Because these stays are traditional in nature, we're unable to cater for dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free or fish stock-free diets on this tour. If you have specific dietary needs, get in touch with our office before booking so we can talk through what's possible.

More About This Trip

Your walk starts at Usa Station in Kyushu. The most direct route is by Shinkansen to Kokura or Hakata Station, then a swap to the local line through to Usa.

From the finish in Beppu, a direct express train takes you back to Kokura or Hakata in around two hours, where you can pick up the Shinkansen on to Osaka, Tokyo or wherever comes next.

Spring and autumn are the sweet spot on the Kunisaki Peninsula, with comfortable temperatures made for walking, and it's when we run our tours. Summer, from late June through September, turns hot and humid and isn't kind to a day on the trail, while winter is off the table due to snow.

Where you can, steer clear of Golden Week (29 April to 5 May), the Obon period (10 to 20 August) and Silver Week (16 to 27 September). Accommodation prices climb sharply over these local holiday stretches, sometimes more than double, and rooms get harder to come by.

In Japan, there are some periods when locals travel en masse as they are on holiday. These times are best avoided as the accommodation costs escalate considerably (more than double). It would make a lot of sense if you could avoid these times. Otherwise, see below for high-season periods. This could lead to the cost of the trip increasing by 30% or more.

Weekend surcharges may apply to advertised prices. Also within:
Golden week: generally between 29 April & 5 May
Obon period: mid-august (between the 10 & 20 August)
Silver Week: 16th to 27th September

You'll walk along dirt paths and quiet rural roads, passing small oji shrines and statues that mark this centuries-old pilgrimage route. Long stretches beneath the forest canopy provide cool, shaded walking conditions for much of the journey, particularly outside the height of summer. Most stages begin with an ascent. The longest stage is 15 km, and one section includes a short, steep climb near the end.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know that you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks from departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

Please note: accommodations on this self guided tour are unable to accommodate allergies, vegan, gluten-free, or fish stock-free dietary requirements. Guests with specific dietary needs are encouraged to contact the office in advance to discuss possible options.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo travellers on our self-guided Kunisaki trips. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Notes

We are no longer accepting bookings for OCT/NOV 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

March through May and September through November offer the most comfortable walking conditions — pleasant temperatures, good trail conditions, and the kind of light that makes Kyushu look its best. June through August brings heat and humidity that make walking a serious undertaking, so tours run outside these months.

Fly into Oita Airport. Several flights depart Tokyo daily, though an early morning departure is essential to arrive on time — getting in a day early is well worth considering to explore the city before the walk begins. Please note that travel to the starting point and from the finishing point in Beppu is self-arranged.

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day, so you walk with just a daypack. On guided departures, luggage travels in the tour vehicle. If you're travelling with more than one piece of luggage per person, additional bags can be transported for a small extra fee — just let us know in advance.

Six nights in traditional Japanese ryokan and onsen accommodation, with some properties offering a modern hybrid style. Expect tatami mat flooring, shoji screens, and futon bedding — a genuine window into Japanese hospitality. Bathrooms in hot spring ryokan are often shared and separated by gender, in keeping with onsen tradition.

Onsen bathing comes with a few customs worth knowing before you arrive. Wash and rinse thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the bath — this is non-negotiable. Tattoos are not permitted in most onsen facilities. Hair should be tied up or kept out of the water. Swimwear is not worn; bathing is done without clothing. Keep noise to a minimum and move slowly — the onsen is a place for quiet relaxation.

Meals showcase the regional flavours of Kyushu, ranging from home-style dishes and bento-style lunches to elegant kaiseki dinners depending on the accommodation. On guided departures, breakfast and dinner are included each day, plus lunch on walking days. The itinerary also includes visits to sake breweries and regional dining venues that give a real taste of local food culture.

Due to the traditional nature of the accommodations, this walk is unable to cater for dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, or fish stock-free dietary requirements. If you have specific dietary needs, contact us before booking to discuss what may be possible. On guided departures, all meals are prepared and served at your accommodation, which limits the flexibility available — if dietary flexibility is a priority, get in touch and we can talk through the best option for you.

Tipping is not customary in Japan and in many situations can cause embarrassment. The best way to show appreciation is simply to be polite, follow local customs, and express genuine gratitude. No tip is expected or required.

The Kunisaki Peninsula is deeply spiritual country. The route passes through active temples and shrines, so dress modestly and follow any instructions given at religious sites — removing shoes where indicated and refraining from photography in restricted areas. The Goma fire ritual and the meditation session at Fuki-ji Temple are highlights of the walk; approach them with an open mind and respectful curiosity.

Yes, and it is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, cancellation, luggage loss, and medical evacuation. Japan has excellent medical facilities, but healthcare costs are not free for visitors — comprehensive cover is essential before you travel.

Want to Know More?

The Kunisaki Experience

Wonder
Explore Usa Jingu and Kumano Magaibutsu carved into sheer rock faces
Walk ancient Rokugo Manzan trails between Kozanji, Iwawakiji and Fukiji Temple
Take in sweeping panoramas from Oka Castle ruins, layered with Kyushu history
Wellness
Unwind in traditional ryokan and onsen stays with soothing hot spring baths
Practise meditation with a resident priest at Fuko-ji Temple
Savour local sake, kaiseki cuisine and an onigiri-making experience
Nature
Follow cedar forests, sacred peaks and serene valleys on the Minemichi Long Trail
Traverse Mount Inomure’s rock formations and forests to secluded Ofudo Iwaya
Walk beneath Mt Futago through tranquil paths towards Futago-ji Temple