Kumano Kodo late September

Hi all. Thinking of walking Kumano Kodo on Kii peninsula late Sept 2018 with wife & 14 year old daughter. What is the weather usually like at this time? Still warm & humid? I hear typhoons may still blow up from the South - is this correct, or nothing to worry about?

I was just in Wakayama Prefecture, and the weather there was absolutely beautiful for hiking this week. Late September is usually already not so humid, but you're right, there's still the possibility of typhoons then. And even if there's no typhoon around, it might rain. But all in all, late September's a good season.

Thanks Giora.

Are there other multi-day walks we should consider that have less chance of being rained out?

It's Japan, a country where it rains a lot. You have a chance of getting rained out on any hike in the country, any time of year (unless it's going to snow instead of rain, of course).

I spent 4 days hiking in the Kumano region last spring, and had mostly great weather. You can get lucky too. As long as there isn't a typhoon around, hike, and hope you get lucky with the weather.

Nobody knows what the weather will be like in a year. Keep your itinerary flexible and decide on the spot whether you go for a hike or do some other activities instead.

In my experience unless a typhoon hits (which is not all that often in this part of Japan), weather is usually very nice in September.

Thanks for the replies. From what I understand, if we do the KK hike, accommodation will need to be booked well in advance, so its useful to get a general idea of the likely conditions before committing.

If you trek the Kohechi trail, there is only one place to stay on nights 1 and 2, typically Japanese places, which you book through the Tanabe Tourist Bureau. I was the only tourist there when i hiked it. It was extremely hot, and i also got torrential rain, in July.

Hi, my husband and I (57 and 56) are also planning on doing this hike, starting sept 28ish. Did you find out if booking sleeping spaces ahead of time is necessary?

My husband and I are doing the KK at the beginning of September (2018). Starting Sept 6ish. Still finalizing dates. Here is my question though - the maps all give times that feel quite conservative. The maps call out that the 4 km from Takijiri-oji to Takahara will take 2 - 3 hours to walk. I feel that 4 km should be closer to 1.5 to 2 hours, including time for breathers. Do any of you who have hiked this before have any insight into whether the trail is either a) really that difficult, or b) giving extremely conservative time recommendations?
We are thinking of catching the bus from Tanabe to Takijiri, and walking to Chikatsuyu-oji on Day 1. Then head to Hongu area for Day 2. Is that too ambitious? We are not marathon runners, but are both in decent shape and hike often.

Yes, the times on the Tanabe TB website are conservative.

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