Kumano Kodo Packing List

(Update: If you are here solely for the Kumano Kodo packing list, feel free to scroll to the bottom part of the post. If you have time for a bit of a story of my own Kumano Kodo packing list, start here. Enjoy!)

The last thing I did to prepare for my Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage was to write a Kumano Kodo Packing List and tick it off.

By that, I mean buying everything needed to hike, which I mostly didn’t have to begin with, except for a water bottle and Lululemon leggings, which I am still trying to decide whether to bring since it’s pricey. Knowing I will pass through the forest, I don’t want to ruin it. But I also can’t think of a better pair of hiking pants than the said leggings.

I had to buy the rest of the hiking stuff, from hiking socks to a hiking backpack, which I quickly learned is different from standard socks and any backpack.

The biggest dent maker on my credit card was the red Macpac hiking backpack and green Merrell hiking shoes, even after finding them through deals, with discounts.

We also had to buy a first-aid kit, which keeps getting bigger every time we think we might need this and that in case of emergency.

Besides clothes, toiletries, a first-aid kit and other usual travel stuff, I packed two pens (just in case), a foldable hat, an all-purpose towel, a mini RWS tarot deck, a small piece of Hematite, Goshuin, a tiny candle, Eki Stamp book, rain jacket and my Miaw.

I “shrank” my Fuji cam and Moleskine journal and opted for a GoPro and a Traveler’s Notebook instead.

I also packed my pink PJs as it might be the only luxurious thing I get to wear on my birthday.

Meanwhile, I left my Kindle behind; one book (Lonely Planet’s Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage) and plenty of Kumano Kodo-related print-outs are enough.

Last Sunday, I tried to load all the items into my red Macpac. It fit. Phew! The only caveat is that it’s pretty heavy.

Well, good luck to the future me! May I be able to carry it with minimum complaining?

Speaking of which, it didn’t escape me that I should have done this – the backpacking, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage, the Kumano Kodo packing list story, the hiking – a decade or two ago. Alas, better late than sorry!

Kumano Kodo Packing List

If you are referring to the picture – from top to bottom:

1. Red Macpac Hiking backpack
2. Gorman light rain jacket
3. Activewear: 5 tops, 2 Lululemon Leggings, 2 Sportsbra (update: I recommend bringing three at least) and daily undies
4. Toiletries
5. Electronics chargers including travel converter (update: Powerbank seemed to be a good to have, but we didn’t use it once)
6. All-purpose towel
7. Foldable hat
8. First aid kit
9. Travel Pillow (update: ditch it! It wasn’t required at all)
10. Sunnies/Glasses (update: ditch the sunnies. I didn’t use it once because the trees were so dense, and I got a hat)
11. Coin pouch (local buses in Japan only accept cash)
12. Passport
13. Camera – Go Pro Hero Black 11
14. Airpod
15. Foldable water bottle
16. Green Merrell Hiking shoes
17. A few sets of hiking socks
18. Traveller’s Notebook journal and pen
19. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage-related docs print-out
20. Optional but good to have: Goshuin, Eki Stamp book and Kindle

Follow me on Instagram @KultureKween for more recent updates.