Dual Pilgrim: Camino and Kumano Kodo
My Journey
When I found out about the Dual Pilgrim program, I wasn’t sure which route to do first. I learned that if you complete the Kumano Kodo first and then the Camino, you get the certificate in Spain. But if you do the Camino first, then the Kumano Kodo, you also get to take part in the Taiko Drum Ceremony at Kumano Hongu Taisha. That helped me decide to start with the Camino.
Since it was my first Camino, I chose the most popular route— Camino Francés. I read online that it takes about 26 to 35 days depending on your pace to walk from Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. I’m fairly active, but I’d never done more than a 5-day trek before, so I gave myself two months. It ended up taking me 33 days, including two rest days, to reach Santiago, and then another 4 days to finish the Camino Finisterre. With time to spare, I also did the Portuguese Coastal Camino, which took another 10 days.
After Europe, I traveled through Asia, stopping in Taiwan and South Korea for some sightseeing and hiking, before heading to Japan for the Kumano Kodo. I gave myself 6 days for the Nakahechi route, which was a relaxed pace. I probably could have finished it faster since I was in good shape, but I wanted to enjoy the experience without rushing.
After completing Kumano Kodo, I got to enjoy the Taiko Drum Ceremony at Kumano Hongu Taisha. It was a beautiful way to end the journey. I’d definitely recommend doing the Camino first, then the Kumano Kodo.
Info Links
Requirement for Dual Pilgrim
If you've completed both the Camino and the Kumano Kodo, you can get the Dual Pilgrim certificate. You can show proof with either the actual certificate or a photo. When I did mine, I completed both in one trip, so I had my Camino certificate with me.
Camino de Santiago (on foot, horse, or by bicycle)
at least the 100km by foot or by horse or
at least 200km by bicycle
Kumano Kodo (on foot)
Takajiri-oji to Hongu Taisha (~38km) or
Kumano Nachi Taisha to/from Kumano Hongu Taisha (~30km) or
Koyasan to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~65km) or
Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~7km) plus a visit to Kumano Hayatama Taisha & Kumano Nachi Taisha
Ogigahama Mizugori Site, Tokei Jinja, two sites or more on Ohechi route plus a visit to Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Hongu Taisha, & Nachi Taisha
Stamps Required
Camino de Santiago
One a day, then two a day for the last 100 km
Kumano Kodo
There are set locations where the stamps are located along the routes, and you are required to collect all of them to meet the requirement. (I was told by the staff at the Kii-Tanabe Tourist Information Centre that if you miss one or two, it's okay.)
