Take the cablecar and Nankai Railway from Koyasan to Hashimoto (one hour, 990 yen) and transfer to the JR Wakayama Line to Wakayama Station (about one hour). From Wakayama, take a limited express train along the JR Kinokuni Line (aka Kisei Line) down the coast to the Kumano Region (80 minutes, around 4500 yen to Shirahama, or 3 hours, around 6500 yen to Shingu).
On selected days (daily from April 3 to November 30, 2025, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), there is one bus connection per day between Koyasan and Hongu Taisha via Ryujin Onsen. One or two transfers of buses are required along the way. The entire one way trip takes around four hours and costs 5300 yen. Online reservations can be made via Japan Bus Online.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
The sights of Kumano are spread over a wide area around the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula. Distances and travel times in between them are considerable, not at last due to the absence of high speed trains and because many sections of the regional expressway are still in the construction or planning stages.
Trains run only along the coast and connect all coastal towns and cities with each other, including Tanabe, Shirahama, Kushimoto, Katsuura, Shingu and Kumano City. Buses complement the coastal train line by providing connections from the train stations to inland attractions, such as the Hongu and Nachi Shrines.
Despite the presence of a relatively convenient public transportation network, a rental car can be more convenient for getting around the Kumano area. Rental car outlets can be around Shirahama, Kii-Tanabe Station, Kushimoto Station, Kii-Katsuura Station and Shingu Station.
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