Tokyo To Kumano Kodo – Kumano Nachi Taisha

Tokyo to Kumano Kodo

Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya. Then, take JR Limited Nanki Express from Nagoya to Kii-Katsuura. Click here for a more details.

Osaka to Kumano Kodo

Take JR Kuroshio from Shin-Osaka or Tennoji Station to Kii-Kaatsura. click here for more details.

Kumano Nachi Taisha

Kumano Nachi Taisha is a shrine which is part of the famous Kumano Kodo trail. It’s one among the three grand shrines of the Kumano region, the other two being Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The seven hiking trails that connect these three shrines together is known as Kumano Kodo.

Typically, people visit these three shrines by hiking as a way of pilgrimage to attain spiritual enlightenment. However, if you don’t have the time and energy to go hiking, then you can visit at least one of these shrines – Kumano Nachi Taisha from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka by train.

Tokyo to Kumano Nachi Taisha

1. Tokyo -> Nagoya

   Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya from either Tokyo station or Shinagawa station. It’s better to board the Shinkansen from Shinagawa as the station is not as crowded and confusing as Tokyo station.

   Depending on the Shinkansen you choose – Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama, it can take from 1hr 40min (Nozomi), 1hr 50min(Hikari) to 3hrs(Kodama) from Tokyo to Nagoya. For the day trip, avoid Kodama as it takes longer to travel from Tokyo to Nagoya. If you are a JR Rail Pass holder, choose Hikari as it’s fast and the cost of the journey is covered by the pass.

2. Nagoya -> Kii-Katsuura

   From Nagoya, take the JR Nanki Limited Express, also known as Wide-view Nanki, to Kii-Katsuura . To cut the wait time in Nagoya, plan and reserve your seats on the Wide-view Nanki in advance. The staff at the JR ticket office will help you pick the train time more effectively.

   If you are a JR Rail Pass holder, most of the trip is covered. I say most because a part of the track from Kawarada to Tsu is not owned by JR. Hence, you have to pay an extra charge of 820 Yen to the ticket collector on board the Wide-view Nanki.

   This journey takes upto 4hrs. It’s a bit exhausting. However, the scenery through the large windows of the Wide-View Nanki make up for it.

3. Kii-Katsuura -> Kumano Nachi Taisha

   From Kii- Katsuura station, board a local bus that makes stops at Nachi Station, Daimon Zaka, Nachi-no-Taki-mae (Nachi Waterfalls) and Nachi San.

   The local bus stops right outside the station. The timetable for this bus can be found here: Kii Katsuura Bus Time-Table . Alternatively, if you are running out of time and can afford a taxi, you can hire a taxi outside the train station to take you around the sites.

The total travel time one-way from Tokyo to Kii-Katsuura is around 5 hrs 50 minutes. Remember, the JR Nanki Limited Express is not as frequent as the Shinkansen. Confirm the last train from Kii-Katsuura back to Nagoya to avoid being stuck there. In my case, the last train from Kii-Katsuura to Nagoya was at 5:11 pm. Consult JR Ticket Office or HyperDia to plan your travel.

Loved the Post? Pin it!