Tanabe is a wonderful base to begin your exploration of the Kumano region.
There are several towns and cities in Japan called Tanabe. It is easy to go to a different location instead of going to Kii-Tanabe.
The Kii Peninsula is the location of Tanabe of Kumano Kodo fame. It is located south east of Osaka at the southern most point of Honshu Island, the main island of Japan.
Kii is also the old name for the area before
On the Kii Peninsula, there are four seasons plus the rainy season. Summers are hot and humid. Fall and spring are comfortable with temperatures in the low 20s (70s for Fahrenheit). Winters are short and mild. The rainy season usually lasts from the end of June to the end of July when the temperatures ramp up and the humidity become quite uncomfortable. It is a six-week period of rainy days interspersed with sunny days.
Hiking through all seasons is possible, and careful planning is necessary to have a great experience.
