Do you want to go by car? By train? How to get to the Kumano Kodo World Heritage Site

This issue introduces access to the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo, which spans four prefectures including Wakayama Prefecture. There are only two World Heritage Sites registered as ‘roads’ in the world: the Kumano Kodo (Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range) and the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route in France/Spain.

If such a rare World Heritage Site exists in Japan, there’s no reason not to go!

Where is the Kumano Kodo?

Kumano Kodo – officially known as the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range – is an ancient pilgrimage route spanning Wakayama, Mie, Nara and Osaka prefectures. It traverses the Kii Peninsula and is a pilgrimage route leading to the three Kumano-sanzan shrines: Kumano Hongu-taisha, Kumano Hayatama-taisha and Kumano Nachi-taisha.

The Kumano Kodo is not a single road, but consists of five main routes: Nakaheji, Iseji, Kobeji, Kiiji and Oheji. Since the Heian period (794-1185), many people walked to the Kumano Sanzan (three mountains).

Where is the nearest station to the Kumano Kodo? The three best stations for exploring the Kumano Kodo.

As reported earlier, the ‘Kumano Kodo’ in a nutshell covers a wide area and has many forks in the road. The total length is said to be 600 km, and it is possible to make a short trek using a bus or private car, or if you are confident of your fitness, you can walk dozens of kilometres over several days. There are also essential spots such as historical buildings, shrines and scenic overlooks at key locations.

To start with, here are three convenient stations for visiting the Kumano Kodo route to the Kumano Sanzan.

Kii-Tanabe Station, JR West Japan, Kisei Main Line

Kii-Tanabe Station is recommended if you want to visit the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, one of the three Kumano mountains.

It takes 2 hours 8 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station by limited express Kuroshio.

Kii Katsuura Station, Kisei Main Line, JR West Japan

Nachikatsuura Station is located in Nachikatsuura City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is the closest station to Kumano Nachi-taisha shrine, one of the Kumano Sanzan. Use this station if you want to see the famous Nachi Falls.

It is a four-hour ride on the limited express Kuroshio from Shin-Osaka Station.

Shingu Station, Kisei Main Line, JR West Japan/JR Tokai

Shingu Station in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, is close to Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine.

It takes 3 hours 19 minutes from Nagoya Station by Limited Express Wide View Nanki and 4 hours 16 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station by Limited Express Kuroshio. If you take the Kuroshio from Shin-Osaka Station, it is the next station after Nachi-Katsuura Station.

How to get to the Kumano Kodo from other parts of Japan

Here is how to get to the Kumano Kodo from various parts of Japan.

Access from Tokyo and Nagoya

From the Kanto and Tokai regions, the stations easily accessible by air and land differ.

By air, the shortest route is to go to Kii-Tanabe Station, which is close to Nanki-Shirahama Airport. By land, it is recommended to go to Shingu Station via Nagoya.

When using public transport

If you want to visit the Kumano Kodo in the shortest possible time, take a flight between Haneda Airport and Nanki-Shirahama Airport, which operates three flights a day. (as of 2022/3)

Haneda Airport – (Airplane: 1 hour 10 mins) – Nanki Shirahama Airport – (Connecting bus: 20 mins)
Shirahama Station – (Train: 10 mins) – Kii-Tanabe Station

If you wish to go by train, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya Station and transfer to the Wide View Nanki Limited Express to Shingu Station.

Tokyo Station – (Shinkansen: 1hr 40min) – Nagoya Station – (Limited Express: 3hr 20min) – Shingu Station

Express buses are also convenient if you want to save money. If you are fit, you can also take a day trip on a late-night express bus.

Express buses run from Nagoya to Shingu Station during the day and from Omiya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Yokohama to Shingu Station at night.

Nagoya – (Highway bus: 4.5 hours) – Shingu Station
Omiya – (Highway bus: 11hr 40min) – Shingu Station

The Kanto – Shingu service has been suspended as of 2022/3 due to the new coronavirus.

By private car

Some people like to drive or want to use their own car to get to the airport as a countermeasure against the new coronavirus.

For example, the shortest route from Tokyo to Kumano Nachi Taisha is via the Tomei Expressway – Daini Tokai Expressway – Isewangan Expressway – Nagoya-Kameyama Route/Tomeihan Expressway – Ise Expressway, which takes about 7-8 hours. (excluding rest stops).

You can also rent a car from Nanki Shirahama Airport and tour the Kumano Sanzan.

Nanki-Shirahama Airport – (rental car: 1 hour 15 minutes) – Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine – (rental car: 1 hour) – (rental car: 35 minutes) – Kumano Hayatama Shrine

Access from Osaka and Wakayama

If you are visiting Kumano Kodo from the Osaka area, trains are convenient! It is more accessible than other parts of the country, making day trips possible.

When using public transport

The limited express Kuroshio starts at Shin-Osaka Station and terminates at Shingu Station. The whole journey takes 4 hours 23 minutes.

Shin-Osaka Station – (Limited Express: 2hr 12min) – Kii-Tanabe Station – (Limited Express: 1hr 48min) – Kii-Katsuura Station – (Limited Express: 10min) – Shingu Station.
Some services operate from Kyoto Station.

Wakayama Station – (Limited Express: 1 hour 10 minutes) – Kii-Tanabe Station – (Limited Express: 1 hour 48 minutes) – Kii-Katsuura Station – (Limited Express: 10 minutes) – Shingu Station

Express buses are also available if cheapness is important. Fares start from 3,000 yen.

Namba Station – (Highway bus: 3 hours) – Kii-Tanabe Station
Osaka Station – (Highway bus: 3 hr 20 min) – Kii-Tanabe Station

Highway buses between Kyoto Station and Koyasan are also in operation from 22 April 2022. Koyasan to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine is easily accessible, so Kyoto residents should also consider this route.

*Operates from Friday, 22 April to Sunday, 27 November 2022.

By private car

From Osaka, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine is approximately 3 hours via National Route 168, and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine are approximately 4 hours via the Matsubara-Nachi-Katsuura Route.

From Wakayama City, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine is approximately 2.5 hours via the Matsubara-Nachi-Katsuura Route and the Hanwa Expressway, while Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine are approximately 3 hours away.

Access from Shikoku

You can also take a train from Takamatsu to Kii-Tanabe Station, but if you are coming from Tokushima, the ferry is an option ◎.

Using public transport

If you want to get there in the shortest possible time, we recommend using the Shinkansen in combination.

Takamatsu – (Marine Liner: 52 mins) – Okayama – (Shinkansen: 45 mins) – Shin-Osaka – (Limited Express: 2 hr 12 mins) – Kii-Tanabe Station

If you live near Tokushima Port, you can also visit Kumano Kodo via Wakayama Port. You can load your vehicle onto the ferry, so you can also travel by private car from Wakayama Port.

Tokushima Port – (ferry: 2hr 10min) – Wakayama Port – (bus: 25min) – Wakayama Station – (limited express: 1hr 15min) – Kii Tanabe Station

By private car

The route from Takamatsu to Kumano Sanzan via Awaji Island and the Matsubara-Nachi-Katsuura Route takes approximately 5½-6 hours.

As mentioned above, private cars can be loaded onto a ferry and driven from Wakayama Port. The journey from Wakayama Port to Kumano Hongu Taisha takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Access from other regions

Finally, how to get there from Hokkaido, Tohoku, Chubu, Kyushu, Okinawa, etc.

When using public transport

Let’s take a look at each of the following cases: by plane and by train.

By plane

Unfortunately, Nanki Shirahama Airport only operates flights to and from Haneda. Therefore, if you fly, you will have to change planes at Haneda.

Alternatively, you can use Kansai International Airport. Many airports from Hokkaido to Okinawa offer return flights to and from Kansai International Airport. Access from Kansai International Airport to Kumano Kodo is as follows

Kansai International Airport – (train: 2.5 hours) – Kii Tanabe Station
This route involves three or four transfers.

Kansai International Airport – (Car rental: approx. 3 hours) – Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine

By train

The train route is recommended if you can get to Shin-Osaka Station by Shinkansen or limited express trains, such as from Hokuriku or Kyushu.

For example, access from Hakata or Kanazawa is as follows

Hakata – (Shinkansen: 2.5 hours) – Shin-Osaka – (Limited Express: 2 hours 12 minutes) – Kii Tanabe Station
Kanazawa – (Thunderbird: 2.5 hours) – Shin-Osaka – (Limited Express: 2 hours 12 minutes) – Kii-Tanabe Station

Let’s go to the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site!

The Kumano Kodo is not an easily accessible place, but it is worth the trouble to visit. The rarity of being registered as a World Heritage Site as a ‘road’, the history of the many people who have walked it from ancient times, and the time to face yourself through trekking. There are many advantages to visiting the Kumano Kodo.

There are many accommodation facilities along the Kumano Kodo, so if you take the trouble to visit, it is recommended to spend a few days at leisure.