Stage 5 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi covers 14.5 km from Koguchi to Nachisan, with 1,219 m of ascent and 962 m of descent. The highest point is 871 m. Allow about 7.5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
ホテル浦島
Huge hot-spring resort hotel on a peninsula in Katsuura harbour, famous for its sea caves with onsen baths; reached by a 5-minute ferry from near Kii-Katsuura Station. Buffet dinner and breakfast; Katsuura is 25 minutes by bus from Nachisan.
万清楼
Ryokan with 30 rooms in central Katsuura, about 7 minutes on foot from Kii-Katsuura Station. Dinner and breakfast in the dining room; 25 minutes by bus from Nachisan.
ワイ クマノ
Hostel next to Kii-Katsuura Station with a private twin room and a 12-capsule mixed dorm, plus a cafe bar. Room only; coin washer and dryer.
美滝山荘
Minshuku with 13 Japanese rooms (up to 60 guests) on Mt Nachi near Nachi Falls, a short walk from the end of the trail; shared toilets. Dinner and breakfast, lunch box optional.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed, not confirmed" appear on a public listing (OpenStreetMap or KUMANO TRAVEL) but could not be confirmed as open in 2026. Takahara, Chikatsuyu and Koguchi have only a few small inns, and walk-ins are not normal in Japan: book every night ahead, ideally through KUMANO TRAVEL, especially for spring and autumn.
Emergency: call 119 for ambulance, fire or rescue, 110 for police. Say "English" and stay on the line. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.