From Kumano Kodo to Osaka Expo: Japan Spring 2025
🗺️ Overview
- Dates: April 5 - April 20, 2025
- Route: Bangkok -> Nagoya -> Kii Katsuura -> Ise -> Osaka -> Bangkok
- Companions: Solo & Tose (for Expo)
🎨 Visual Summary
📝 Thoughts & Reflections
This trip originally centered around Expo 2025 Osaka, and I was lucky enough to visit during its opening week. Going so early meant I avoided the massive crowds that built up later in the summer and fall. I ended up spending five full days at the Expo, and I absolutely loved it—seeing the incredible architecture, culture, and pavilions from countries all around the world was a massive highlight.
In contrast to the futuristic energy of the Expo, my journey through Kumano and Ise offered a deep, quiet peace. Visiting the Kumano shrines (like Kumano Nachi Taisha) and the sacred grounds of Ise Grand Shrine was incredibly serene. They are easily some of the most beautiful and spiritual shrines I have ever experienced in Japan.
Any gaps in the daily logs below represent my remote working and rest days.
📅 Trip Sections & Logs
Here are the logs and journals for the different segments of the trip:
| Days / Section | Scope & Highlights | Log / Blog Link |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 6 - 11 | Nagoya: Sakura castle, Tsuruma Park | 🌸 Nagoya & Sakura Spots |
| Apr 7 | Nabana no Sato: Botanical garden & winter illumination | ✨ Nabana no Sato Illumination |
| Apr 11 - 13 | Kii Katsuura: Coastal onsen & seafood (Wakayama base) | ⚓ Kii Katsuura Coastal Base |
| Apr 11 | Kumano Nachi Taisha: Daimon-zaka walk & Nachi Falls | ⛩️ Kumano Nachi Taisha |
| Apr 12 | Kumano Hayatama Taisha: Shingu shrine visit | ⛩️ Kumano Hayatama Taisha |
| Apr 12 | Kumano Hongu Taisha: Kumano Kodo forest trail | 🌲 Kumano Hongu Taisha |
| Apr 13 | Toba: Transit stop & Aquarium | 🐬 Toba Aquarium |
| Apr 13 - 14 | Ise: Outer & Inner Shrine, Okage Yokocho, Meoto Iwa | ⛩️ Ise Sacred Shrines |
| Apr 14 | Osaka City: Shopping at Umeda (Gundam Base pop-up) & teamLab | 🏙️ Osaka City & Sights |
| Apr 15 - 19 | Expo 2025 Osaka: Multi-day Expo pavilion entries | 🌐 Osaka Expo 2025 |
🏨 Accommodations
- Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Nagoya (Apr 6-11): Sakae base. Great onsen and location!
- Manseiro Ryokan (Apr 11-13): Old Ryokan in Katsuura. Free cave onsen ♨️ access at Hotel Urashima.
- Sanco Inn Iseshi-Ekimae Shikinoyu (Apr 13-14): Convenient station-front business hotel.
- Super Hotel Premier Osaka Honmachi Ekimae (Apr 14-20): Osaka base. Subway adjacent, excellent onsen ♨️.
