Camping at will is not allowed on the Kumano Kodo. We left the forest and trail after each segment, coming out of the woods each night to a new village. In this case it was a very remote one with no amenities. There was one road, no stoplight, one tiny (closed) shop attached to the house closest to the road. Our only option was to stay with locals who are equipped for welcoming pilgrims, of which there are only a handful.