TRUE NATURE PILGRIMAGE
Kumano kodo PILGRIMAGE TRAIL
KII PENINSULA, japan
Journey to the ancient pilgrimage trail walked for over 1,000 years.
A place of inspiration and creation.
The Kumano Kodo.
Immerse yourself in the mountains, forests and rivers woven across the
Kii Peninsula and embrace the revelation and inspiration of the journey.
Wake up to the call and invitation to the pilgrim trail from kites soaring above the valleys, signifying the beginning of your days in the forest.
Embrace the progression of the path, the purity of the rivers flow and the breeze through the forest trees that smoothes and cools the skin.
Overlap with fellow pilgrims along the trail on their many life journeys, all moving towards your shared destination.
Every moment on the Kumano invites you to deepen into the trail, cleansing and purifying, to reveal the possibility and truth within, ready to be expressed — amidst the community, culture of Japan and ancient history and inspiration of the Kumano Kodo.
The True Nature Pilgrimage is all about letting the natural world and rhythm of the trail transform and inspire, revealing your most authentic expression and true loves.
Guided by Matty, you’ll embark on this ancient pilgrimage - a challenging journey in awe inspiring landscapes, while diving into the curated program and practices designed to connect you with your true nature and true loves in this one beautiful life.
Join an intimate group of like minded pilgrims, each with their own stories and intentions, to share the journey with. Your paths overlapping each day as the experience and connections unfold.
Together, we’ll find our individual and shared rhythm on the trail and experience, discovering the magic that happens when you truly embrace the natural world around you.
This 8 day experience encompasses the point to point pilgrimage across 5 days, 80 kilometers, elevated and expansive views, and culminates for integration and celebration in Kyoto.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
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5 day guided point to point hike across Kumano Kodo Nakehechi pilgrimage trail from Takijiri Oji to Nachu Taishi.
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2 days exploring the cultural centre Kyoto to integrate the experience and celebrate the journey.
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A community of fellow pilgrims sharing the journey, challenge and environment together.
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Traditional and unique Japanese accomodation along the trail (Ryoken, Hostels, Farm Stays, Hotels).
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Cultural experiences and local onsens.
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Fresh, local Japanese breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
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Celebration Dinner in Kyoto.
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The True Nature program designed to reveal your true nature and true loves.
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Tools and practices to take home, helping you stay connected and integrate the experience, insights and community. Including a bespoke Journey Journal.
Do you feel called to this life changing challenge, pilgrim?
This pilgrimage is for those who feel called to take on a challenging, beautiful and inspiring journey with like minded souls, immerse in forests, natural beauty and heritage of this ancient trail as the environment and context for the revealing of our most authentic expressions.
Days: 8
DATES: APRIL | September 2026
DESTINATION: Kumano Kodo Japan
INVESTMENT: $7,000 AUD*
VISUAL JOURNEY
Itinerary
YOUR GUIDEs
DAY 1
Arriving in Shirahama
Arrival into coastal Shirahama on the Wakayama Peninsula. Afternoon welcome with guides and fellow pilgrims.
DAY 2
Takajiri to Takahara
Individual morning reflection. Transport from Rinku Town to Takijiri (via Tanabe) Commence the first stage of the pilgrimage. 4.2km hike, elevation gain 407m. Community connection circle. Staying at the Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge.
DAY 3
Takahara to Chikatsuyu
Individual morning reflection. Second stage of the pilgrimage. 13km hike, 865 elevation gain. Community connection circle. Staying at the Minshuku Chikatsuyu.
DAY 4
Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Osen (via Hongu Taisha)
Individual morning reflection. Third stage of the pilgrimage 22.4km hike, 834m elevation gain. Visit the Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara Torii Gate. Community connection circle. Staying at Ryokan Yunomineso.
DAY 5
Yunomine Onsen to Koguchi
Individual morning reflection. Third stage of the pilgrimage 23.4km hike, 737m elevation gain. Community connection circle. Staying at Koguchi Shizen-no-Ie.
DAY 6
Koguchi to Kumano Nachi Taisha
Individual morning reflection. Fifth and final stage of the pilgrimage. 16km hike, 1,193m elevation gain. Visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi waterfall. Community connection circle. Staying at Hotel Urashima (bus to Katsuura)
DAY 7
Katsuura to Kyoto
Individual morning reflection. Train from Katsuura to Kyoto. Twilight walk through historic Kyoto streets and community dinner. Accomodation in central Kyoto (TBC)
DAY 8
Experience Kyoto
Individual morning reflection. Local cultural experiences and activities throughout Kyoto. Celebration event and evening. Accomodation in central Kyoto (TBC)
DAY 9
Returning Home
Morning community connection circle and close off experience. Departures.
*Includes; 7 nights accomodation (twin share), Meals (Breakfast, Lunch Packs & Dinner on trail), Trail Transfers, Celebration Dinner Meal in Kyoto, True Nature Program, Tools and guidance, Guides, First Aid Support.
*Excludes; Flights and transfers to Osaka, additional food and drinks, personal insurance, extra activities.
matty lawrence
FOUNDER & GUIDE
Matty is the creator, lead program facilitator and guide of More Than Happy Journeys. This offering is devoted to helping people reconnect with their essence, navigate transitions with depth, and create lives rooted in meaning, magic and love. A lover of nature, trails, journeys and what they inspire, Matty is a loyal student of words and what they reveal. He draws from the landscape around him as much as the one within, holding space for reflection, transformation and connection to something greater. Matty is a passionate advocate for the inner journey of life. He works at the fertile edge of expression, belonging and transformation — where service becomes medicine and truth becomes home. His approach is grounded in lived experience and formal training. He is a certified Gross National Happiness Practitioner, having studied with the GNH Centre in Bhutan and Schumacher College, and a trained Rites of Passage Facilitator through The Rites of Passage Institute in Australia. These frameworks deeply inform his work, blending ancient wisdom and contemporary relevance to support personal and collective growth. Matty believes we all have the opportunity to discover our true nature and embrace our true loves in life. Through More Than Happy Journeys, he invites others to step into sacred transitions, reimagine the stories they live by, and return to a deeper kind of being — one that honours the full spectrum and adventure of being human.
rich bolus
PILGRIMAGE Guide
Rich brings a wealth of experience in leadership, adventure, and Japanese culture to his role as an assisting guide on our pilgrimages. A former Unit Expedition Leader in the British Army, Rich has navigated challenging terrains worldwide, honing his skills in resilience and team coordination. His deep connection to Japan began with intensive Aikido training at the renowned Yoshinkan Aikido's honbu dojo in Tokyo, immersing him in the country’s martial traditions and discipline. As the host of The Dad Mindset podcast, Rich explores growth mindset principles in parenting and life—an approach he brings to every journey. Combining his expertise in outdoor expeditions with a passion for Japanese history and personal development, he is dedicated to ensuring an enriching and well-supported experience along our pilgrimage journeys. Rich also comes equipped with a welcoming smile, energy and enthusiasm for life and community.
our way
The More Than Happy Way doesn’t push or prescribe. It flows and unfolds like a good story.
Through inspiring environments, thoughtful experiences, connected communities and transformative practices, what’s true begins to surface.
We create the container that allows the insights to be revealed.
WAYS WITH WORDS
Receive inspired insights, reflections and stories on the journey of true nature