How to go from Shingu to Osaka ?
Nachi, Kumano Kodo, Wakayama
©tom-vining, unsplash
Travel with a Limited Express along the Pacific Ocean
The Kuroshio is the most frequent train, connecting Kii peninsula, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji. Whereas, the Ocean Arrow is faster and has the advantage of having large, scenic windows. On this latter train, lounge seats (non-reserved) are the best spot to view the Pacific Ocean. Have a good trip!
Recently a panda train was launched in August 2017 on the Kuroshio Line to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the JR West railway company and, in 2018, the 40th anniversary of Adventure World Park, an amusement park with a zoo.
0 KM - Shingu Station
13 KM - 0H17 - Nachi Station
Only local trains stop here. Take a bus in front of the station and get off at Taki-mae to reach the sacred 133-m-high Nachi Waterfall.
15 KM - 0H15 - Kii-Katsura Station
An onsen town where the most famous of them, the Bokido hot spring (part of Hotel Urashima) allows you to bathe in a cave while gazing at the Pacific Ocean.
95 KM - 1H43 - Shirahama Station
A popular summer vacation destination, yet too crowded in high season to be really enjoyable.
105 KM - 2H - Kii-Tanabe Station
As his statue next to the ocean reminds us, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido, was born here.
145 KM - 3H - Dojo-Ji Station
Only local trains stop here. To get to the Dojo-ji Temple and its three-story pagoda from the station, turn left on to the main road and take a right at the first junction. The temple is at the end of the street.
175 KM - 3H17 - Minoshima Station
Part of Arida city, famous for its oranges and the cormorant fishing from June to September.
201 KM - 3H08 - Wakayama Station
The walk in the park of the castle and the visit of the castle are very pleasant. Wakayama Castle was built by the Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century.The JR Hanwa Line starts here. If you plan to reach Kansai International Airport, change here for a train running on this line.
227 KM - 3H44 - Hineno Station
To reach Kansai International Airport, you can also change trains at this station.
262 KM - 3H50 - Tennoji Station
Get off at this station, which is part of the JR Osaka Loop Line, if you are going to Osaka Station.
277 KM - 4H07 - Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka is Osaka’s Shinkansen station.
Discover Shingu
What to see ?
Doro Gorge is a valley ravine that offers a variety of breathtaking natural landscapes, such as dense virgin forests,steep cliffs, and oddly shaped rocks of various sizes. The scenery is particularly splendid in summer when flowers bloom on the rock faces and in late autumn when colored leaves cover the mountains. Visitors can enjoy a thrilling raft ride down the rapids (¥3340) on the Kitayama River flowing in the gorge.Take a left as you leave Shingu Station to find the bus terminal. The valley is 40 minutes away from the city.
Where to Stay ?
Momofuku 百福
Run by a friendly retired couple, a welcomingsmall guest house with 4 rooms. You can enjoy local vegetablesand fish prepared by the couple.
Access : 1 hour by bus from Shingu JRStation. 5-minute walk from Ogumotoiri-toge, 10-minute walkfrom Kogumotoiri-toge.
224-3 Nishi, Kumanogawa-cho, Shingu, Wakayama, 647-1206
Tel : 07-3545-2016 / Visit the Momofuku Minshuku page on Kumano Travel website
Koguchi Shizen No Ie 小口自然の家
An old school that wasrenovated into a lodge. Located between Nachi and Hongu, it’s agreat place for an overnight stay on the way along the Kumano Kodo (Pilgrimage route).
Access : 1 hour by bus from Shingu JR Station. 5-minute walk from Ogumotoiri-toge. 10-minute walk from Kogumotoiri-toge.398 Kaminagai, Kumanogawa-cho, Shingu, Wakayama, 647-1201
Tel : 07-3545-2434 / Visit the Koguchi Shizen No Ie page on Kumano Travel website
Where to eat ?
Shouya 創作居酒屋 清屋
Elegant but simple Japanese food at a reasonable price. From the station, turn left, then right onto route 42. Follow the road and turn left at Kumanomachi Michi, take the fourth left, and it is a bright yellow house on the left.
Open 5 p.m. to midnight. Closed Sundays.
Tel : 07-3523-3090 / Visit the website.
