Our Kumano Kodo Branch

In spring 2015 Oku Japan renovated an old wooden building and opened a representative office in the village of Chikatsuyu, where we are delighted to be part of the local community. Our branch office is a lovely traditional wooden building right on the route of the Kumano Kodo Trail as it passes through Chikatsuyu. We now offer the opportunity for clients to stay in this simple but atmospheric accommodation, called Oku no Yado Chikatsuyu.



Our Kumano Kodo Branch
Our Kumano Kodo Branch
Our Kumano Kodo Branch


Our staff in Chikatsuyu

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Mayumi

Mayumi grew up in Wakayama to the north of the Kii-Peninsula. At 20, she took her first trip overseas to Canada, which piqued an interest in international cultures. After working in Osaka for a number of years, she moved to Australia to study Interpreting and Translation, and later Languages.

Living in Australia for four years, she returned to Japan after graduating, first working in trade affairs before joining Oku Japan.

Mayumi enjoys visiting shrines and temples, as well as traveling in both Japan and overseas. There are still many places that she would like to visit, and she enjoys speaking with our guests about their home countries.
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Ryo

Although Ryo was born and raised in Kanagawa next to Tokyo, he has lived all around Japan, as well as internationally in countries like Canada, Australia, and France. He decided to lay his nomadic lifestyle to rest and settle in Wakayama’s Kumano region.

Always itching to try new experiences and discover destinations he’s never visited before, Ryo has found a home in the travel industry. The Kumano Kodo has been the perfect place for him to settle, filling his proverbial cup with ample opportunities to delve into the mythology and history that creates a sense of connection to the region.

As an avid hiker who often hikes the Kumano Kodo, Ryo most enjoys the challenging Ogumotorigoe, as well as the abundant onsen found along the trail. When you visit the Kumano Kodo, be sure to stop by and say hello!
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Koki

Koki grew up in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo. His interest in travel took him to Australia when he was in high school, and later to the United States to study Architecture Drafting.

Upon his return to Japan, Koki settled in Aichi Prefecture before the allure of Wakayama’s rural nature brought him to the western prefecture where he also has plenty of shrines and temples to explore.

Koki is looking forward to meeting all of our guests who visit Chikatsuyu while walking the Kumano Kodo!

Staying at the branch

A stay in the building includes dinner, breakfast and a packed snack lunch for the next day on the trail. The location is ideal for exploring the village of Chikatsuyu. You can wander down to the riverside inn Minshuku Chikatsuyu and use the wonderful, large hot-spring baths there.


Staying at the branch

Connecting with the locals

A stay in the building includes dinner, breakfast and a packed snack lunch for the next day on the trail. The location is ideal for exploring the village of Chikatsuyu. You can wander down to the riverside inn Minshuku Chikatsuyu and use the wonderful, large hot-spring baths there.


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Onaka-san

Farming specialist

Onaka-san is a farming specialist, taking care of abandoned farms, as well as tending to a blueberry orchard. His blueberries are known for their delicious flavour.

He is well-known in the community for his services and eagerness to lend a helping hand.
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Oono-san

Farmer and hobby artisan

Oono-san is a farmer with a talent for making handicrafts and straw work.

He is warm and kind to speak to, and Oono-san’s morning routine involves drinking a coffee with Sakamoto-san and other local friends at the village cafe.
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Nakamine-san

Café owner

Nakamine-san was a local who left the region but later returned home as part of the U-Turn movement, where local people leave a region for economic reasons, but return in later like.

Now running Café Bocu, an organic café specialising in healthy lunches with brown rice, homemade miso soup, and natural yeast bread, Nakamine-san is enjoying the return to rural life with her family.
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Yamanouchi-san

Luggage transfer and artisan

Yamanouchi-san moved to the village of Chikatsuyu from Eastern Japan to surround himself in nature. After working as a tour guide, Yamanouchi-san pioneered daily luggage transfer in the area and created his service Yama Shuttle.

An avid crafter, Yamanouchi-san enjoys creating postcards, keychains, and even trekking poles. Along with his creative pursuits, he likes to travel. In 2019, Yamanouchi-san visited Canada with his wife and took a road trip through the nature here, seeing waterfalls, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and wild bison as they made their way from Vancouver to Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Tatsumi-san

Café owner

Tatsumi-san is part of the I-Turn movement, in which people from larger cities move to rural regions and make a life there.

Arriving to Hongu from Osaka over a decade ago, Tatsumi-san later moved to Chikatsuyu with his wife and children and opened his cafe, Cabelo Coffee. Meanwhile, his wife runs a local hair salon – previously locals would often have to leave town just for a haircut.Aside from the incredible coffee beans he roasts himself, Tatsumi-san is an avid trail runner and has run the Kumano Kodo’s Kohechi route.

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