COLO’s Traveler Guide Kumano (Originally posted on 2024-Sep-04)

Times listed are the timetables at the time of the visit.

Day 1

Tokyo Haneda 0725 (Japan Airlines JAL213) >> Nanki-Shirahama 0840

Nanki-Shirahama Airport 0928 (bus) >> Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine 1150
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine 1200 (bus) >> Hashinmon-oji 1215

Kumano Kodo Trail 7.5km
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shraine

Kumano Hongu Shrine 1505 (bus) >> Yunomine Onsen 1529

Overnight stay: Ryokan Adumaya

Tips for Day 1
– The bus from the Airport to Shingu via Kumano Hongu Shrine can be partially used as a local bus on its way. It seems to provide efficient transportation service even with a small number of passengers.

Day 2

Yunomine Onsen 0831 (bus) >> Shingu Station 0937
Shingu 0942 (JR train) >> Nachi 0959
Nachi Station 1033 (bus) >> Daimonzaka 1044

Kumano Kodo Trail 2.7km
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine

Mt. Nachi-san or Daimonzaka 1342 (bus) >> Kii-Katsuura Station 1408

Overnight stay: Kumano-bettei Nakanoshima

Dinner: bodai

Tips for Day 2
– Since my Day 2 sector of Kumano Kodo is relatively short, it may be good to walk as round-trip if time allows. Going up Kumano Kodo from Daimonzaka to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine & Nachi-no-otaki (waterfall) and going down Kumano Kodo to Daimonzaka.
– I stayed at “Kumano-bettei Nakanoshima” in Kii-Katsuura. The hotel was located on an island near Kii-Katsuura station and reached by boat. This place was wonderful. I booked no-meal plan, but it was no problem since Kii-Katsuura, a fishing town, seemed to have many restaurants and bars.

Day 3

Kii-Katsuura 0855 (Nanki 4) >> Nagoya 1241-1406 (Nozomi 364) >> Shin-Yokohama 1526

Tips for Day 3
– I could stop at Ise Jingu Shrine on my way back. It was too late to notice it when I waited Shinkansen at Nagoya Station.