Kii-Tanabe Station building 20140814 124403

Long-Awaited 'Kumano Kodo Express Bus' from Kii-Tanabe Station to Hongu Begins Trial Service

On September 19, 2026, Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture launched three trial bus services, including the 'Kumano Kodo Express Bus,' which connects JR Kii-Tanabe Station via Nakahechi Town to Kumano Hongu Taisha and Hosshinmon-oji in Hongu Town. The initiative aims to address overtourism and improve convenience for visitors. On this first day of Japan's Silver Week (a five-day holiday), travelers enjoying autumn walks along the Kumano Kodo were among the first to use the service.

'Kumano Kodo Express Bus' — Efficiently Linking Major Tourist Stops

The express bus, which uses a large-sized coach, departs Kii-Tanabe Station at 6:55 a.m. on its outbound route. It runs nonstop to Takijiri in Kurisugawa, Nakahechi Town, then stops at key sightseeing points including Gyuba-doji-guchi, Nakahechi Museum of Art, and Yunomine Onsen. It arrives at Hongu Taisha-mae at 8:40 a.m. and Hosshinmon-oji at 8:54 a.m. The trip from start to finish takes about two hours—nearly 30 minutes faster than the regular local bus.

The return trip departs Hosshinmon-oji at 3:45 p.m., passing Hongu Taisha-mae (4:00 p.m.), Yunomine Onsen (4:18 p.m.), and other stops, arriving back at Kii-Tanabe Station at 5:46 p.m. Fares range from 500 to 3,000 yen depending on the section traveled. Twelve passengers used the service on the first day, including a man visiting from China and a doctor from Kanagawa Prefecture. Travelers walking the Kumano Kodo smiled as they said, 'It's comfortable to reach Takijiri without stopping at every bus stop along the way.'

'Onsen-go' Service for Overnight Guests Runs Simultaneously

Timed to match checkout hours for guests staying in Hongu Town, the 'Onsen-go' service also began operating. A large bus departs Yunomine Onsen at 9:25 a.m., loops through the town, and arrives at Hosshinmon-oji at 10:00 a.m. Fares range from 150 to 570 yen, and about 20 people boarded the first run.

Both the Express Bus and Onsen-go services will run through December 10. They are operated by Ryujin Jidosha (Tanabe City).

'Shuttle Taxi' from Kawayu Onsen to River Boat Boarding Point

A trial service has also launched for a 'River Boat Shuttle Taxi' (nine-passenger vehicle), running from Kawayu Onsen in Hongu Town to the Michi-no-Eki 'Dorokyo Kaido Kumanogawa' in Taicho, Kumanogawa Town, Shingu City, where the 'Kumano River Boat Tour' boarding point is located. The service runs through November 30, with a fare of 2,000 yen per person. It is operated by Kumano Daiichi Kotsu (Shingu City). All services operate on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations and are supported by national government subsidies.

A Step Toward More Comfortable Kumano Travel

The city's Tourism Promotion Division commented, 'We hope that during October, the peak season for Kumano Kodo walkers, no one will be turned away from a full bus, and that this will lead to a more comfortable sightseeing experience.' Travel to the Kumano Hongu area, which has traditionally been difficult to access by public transportation, is set to become much more convenient. If you're planning an autumn walk along the ancient trails, be sure to take advantage of these new services.

Reference: Based on announcements regarding Tanabe City's 'Kumano Kodo Express Bus' trial service reported by local media such as the Kii Minpo and Asahi Shimbun.
Image: Kumano Kodo forest / Photo: VKaeru / CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Image: Kii-Tanabe Station building 20140814 124403 / Photo: inunami This photo was taken with Sony DSC-P150 / CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)