Typhoon 12 (Talas) Information

Talas Image August 30th, From Wikipedia On September 2 to 4, 2011 Typhoon 12 (Talas) passed through Japan making landfall on the island of Shikoku. This storm brought heavy rains to the Kii Peninsula causing flooding and landslides. Many roads were damaged as well as electricity, communication lines and water supply.

Conditions have improved and it is OK to visit the area.

This page is a collection of information. Please realize that it may not be up-to-date but conditions have stabilized and there is not much new information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Updated February 12th, 2012 16:00 (JST)

Transportation

Main Roads

All main roads are open.

Railway

All railway lines are open.

Public buses

Public busses are not running to Yunomine Onsen but there is a free shuttle bus from Hongu. Please see our bus timetable page for more information.

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Tourist Facilities

Lodging

99% of the accommodations in the area are now open, including Ryujin Onsen, Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, Shirahama Onsen, and Katsuura Onsen.

Visitor Facilities

Kumano Hongu Heritage Center

Kumano Hongu Heritage Center set up a temporary office from September 26 on the third floor of the Tanabe City Hongu Administration office.

Address: 219 Hongu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Office hour: 8:30~ 17:00 (Everyday)

※An information booth for visitors is also open at "Yatagarasu-Chaya" tea house which is next to the Hongu post office. It is open every day from 10:00 to 16:00.

Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center

Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center is opened.

Kumano-gawa River Traditional Boat Tour

Kumano-gawa River Traditional Boat Tour facilities have been damaged by flooding and is temporarily closed. Scheduled re-opening for April 1st.

Dorokyo Jet Boat Tour

Dorokyo Gorge Jet Boat Tours are operating.

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Kumano Kodo

Some sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes have been affected. The routes are being accessed. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information.

Open Sections

Takijiri-oji to Kobiro-toge
Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha
Dainichi-goe
Ogumotori-goe
Kogumotori-goe
Daimon-zaka
Akagi-goe
Hatenashi-toge (Kohechi route, Hongu to Totsukawa)

Closed Sections

Kamimisu to Kurisugawa
Kobiro-toge to Funatama-jinja (The temporary road will be opened on Mar 10th)
Kohechi (Totsukawa to Koyasan)
Omine Okugakemichi (Hongu to Tamaki-san)

Unfortunately we do not have information about the Iseji route. Please contact the Mie Prefectural government for more information.

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Kumano Sanzan Grand Shrines

All the Kumano Sanzan shrines are open.

Kumano Hongu Taisha

There was no damage to Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

There was no damage to the main pavilions of Kumano Hayatama Taisha.

Kumano Nachi Taisha

Kumano Nachi Taisha received the most damage. A landslide damaged some of the main shrine pavilions. The lookout point near the waterfall was partially washed away.

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