During peak spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) seasons, local public buses can be extremely crowded in certain locations, especially in the early morning hours.
As a result, delays and full buses are frequent, and riders may not be able to board their intended bus.
Taxis are generally unavailable nearby, and arranging one at short notice can be very challenging, if not impossible.
Tips for Riding Buses in Peak Season
Know Bus Options
With high volume and limited capacity at certain stops, consider taking an earlier bus if possible.
Review bus timetables to prepare alternate bus times in case you cannot board the first one.
Allowing as much extra time as possible in your schedule might give you more options.
✻ Although extra buses may be available during busy times on occasion, due to driver and vehicle shortages, this is not always guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding.
Have Cash Payment Ready
Payment can take a long time when riders line up at certain stops, further delaying bus times.
● Have exact change ready in advance
● Pay for a group together. This may allow you to use larger bills instead of handfuls of change.
● Make sure you have at least 1,000-yen bills ready in advance, if not exact change. Drivers cannot change large bills.
Minimize Luggage
While sometimes it is essential to use the local buses to get to destinations with your luggage, consider using luggage shuttle or shipping when possible.
Daily luggage shuttle should be booked in advance.
This not only reduces stress on the bus when having to deal with baggage, but also allows visitors to travel hands-free.
Crowded Buses in Peak Season
JR Kii-Tanabe Station → Kumano Hongu Taisha area
Departing from JR Kii-Tanabe Station:
6:16 / 8:32 / 8:37 / 10:15 / 11:35 / 12:50
Kii-Tanabe Station, Shirahama → Kumano Hongu Taisha bus timetable >>
Takijiri-bound Visitors
Popular Departures: 8:32 and 8:37 Buses
The 8:32 bus from Kii-Tanabe Station is a popular departure time for guests hoping to walk from Takijiri-oji, the traditional trailhead. It arrives at Kii-Tanabe Station about the same time as another bus destined for Hongu and then Hosshinmon-oji. It is typically full of inbound visitors.
The 8:32 is only bound for Kurisugawa. The 8:37 is bound for Hongu and then Hosshinmon-oji. The 8:37 bus also stops at Takijiri.
In peak season, bus officials may direct visitors bound only for Takijiri onto the 8:32 bus and visitors headed farther east, like Hongu, onto the 8:37 bus.
Note: Sometimes, if demand is high, both buses may be full, potentially leaving some guests to consider other options, like a taxi.
Early Morning Departures: 6:16 and 6:50 Buses
Avoid 8:32 crowding by taking the 6:16 or 6:50 bus.
The 6:16 bus is more popular and is bound for Hosshinmon-oji but stops at Takijiri, while the 6:50 is bound for Kurisugawa, and therefore good for Takijiri-bound visitors.
Late Morning Departures
Late morning departures are only recommended if visitors plan to walk from Takijiri-oji and stay in the Takahara area.
Chikatsuyu or Tsugizakura from Takijiri are considered full-day hikes, so earlier departures are recommended for those destinations.
Chikatsuyu, Hongu Area, and Hosshinmon-oji-bound Visitors
Hosshinmon-oji-Bound
From Kii-Tanabe Station, visitors can either take direct buses to Hosshinmon-oji or take a bus to central Hongu and transfer to take another bus to Hosshinmon-oji.
Direct buses: 6:16, 11:35, and 12:50
Buses requiring transfer at Hongu Taisha-mae: 8:37 and 10:15
Pre-purchase Tickets
Pre-purchase tickets are sometimes available onsite for Ryujin buses to help make boarding smoother.
At Kii-Tanabe Station, there is usually a table for pre-purchase tickets to Takijiri at 6:16, 11:35, and 12:50.
Bus Departure Summary
| Time | Bus Co/# | Destinations | Last Stop | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:16 | Ryujin #81 | Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu, Hongu area, Hosshinmon | Hosshinmon-oji | Early risers, those avoiding later crowded buses. |
| 6:50 | Meiko #95 | Takijiri-oji | Kurisugawa | Back-up to Takijiri if 6:16 is full. |
| 8:32 | Meiko #95 | Takijiri-oji | Kurisugawa | Takijiri-bound bus, most popular time. |
| 8:37 | Meiko #91 | Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu, Hongu area | Hongu Taisha-mae | Takijiri or Hongu bound, back-up for 8:32. Hosshinmon possible with transfer. |
| 10:15 | Meiko #91 | Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu, Hongu area | Hongu Taisha-mae | Takijiri or Hongu-bound. Hosshinmon possible with transfer. |
| 11:35 | Ryujin #81 | Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu, Hongu area, Hosshinmon | Hosshinmon-oji | Takijiri, Hongu or Hosshinmon-bound. |
| 12:50 | Ryujin #81 | Takijiri-oji, Chikatsuyu, Hongu area, Hosshinmon | Hosshinmon-oji | Takijiri, Hongu or Hosshinmon-bound. |
Taxi Options
Taxis are readily available from in front of Kii-Tanabe Station and cost about 8,000 yen per standard car to Takijiri (usually 3-4 riders per car).
This is a reasonable option for a small group that gives hikers more control of their departure (especially if they are unable to ride the bus or do not wish to deal with the crowd).
Taxis can be booked in advance, as well, and can pick visitors up from their Tanabe accommodation.
Kii-Tanabe Station to Takijiri or other destinations taxi plans >>
Hongu Taisha / Yunomine Onsen / Wataze Onsen / Kawayu Onsen → Shingu Station
Departing from Hongu Taisha:
(Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus #53)
8:20
Gojo, Totsukawa Onsen, Kumano Hongu Taisha → Shingu bus timetable >>
The Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus #53 departing from Hongu Taisha-mae bus stop visits all three of the Hongu area onsen hot spring communities (Yunomine Onsen, Wataze Onsen, Kawayu Onsen) on its way to Ukegawa, the Traditional Boat Tour center, and eventually Shingu. It is usually full during peak season, and visitors sometimes are unable to board at their bus stop.
Ukegawa-bound Visitors
Consider the Ryujin Bus #81 departing from Yunomine Onsen at 8:00, stopping at Wataze Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, before arriving in Ukegawa on the way to Hosshinmon-oji.
Shingu-bound Visitors
If not in a rush, consider revisiting the Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara area before catching a bus from Hongu Taisha-mae to Shingu later in the day.
Bus Timetable between Yunomine Onsen / Wataze Onsen / Kawayu Onsen and Hongu Taisha-mae bus stop >>
There are multiple late morning and early afternoon departures from Hongu Taisha-mae bus stop.
Tips for Kogumotori Hikers Staying in Kawayu Onsen
For visitors staying in Kawayu Onsen and planning to walk the Kogumotori-goe route the following day, please note that it is only about 3 km (45 minutes on foot) from Kawayu Onsen to the trailhead (Ukegawa).
Try walking to the trailhead instead of taking the bus during peak times.