Limited Capacity in Miura-guchi
The Kumano Kodo Kohechi is starting to gain popularity for hikers looking for more of a challenge.
Miura-guchi is one of the required villages to stay, along with Totsukawa Onsen, Omata and Koyasan, to ensure the safe passage of walkers on this more rugged course with limited access and bigger climbs each day.
But, Miura-guchi is a small settlement, though, with only two accommodations that can book out quickly especially during peak spring or fall seasons.
While it is recommended that visitors considering the Kohechi try to book Miura-guchi first and build their Kohechi trip around that, when that is not possible, the Kohechi Bus out of Totsukawa Village to Miura-guchi, operated by Sanko Taxi, offers a solution for northbound walkers without having to stay in Miura-guchi settlement.
This Bus Option is For:
● Hikers unable to book in Miura-guchi
● Northbound Kohechi walkers only
About the Kohechi Bus
The Kohechi Bus is a local, advance-reservation service available in the morning from Totsukawa Onsen to Miura-guchi during limited seasons.
It departs from just west of the Totsukawa Onsen village area picking up passengers with reservations at certain bus stops along the way, and then proceeds northbound for Mitadani / Miuraguchi bus stops following National Hwy 168 north, then Prefectural Hwy 733 west to Miura-guchi. The ride takes about an hour and a half.
KOHECHI BUS DETAILS
Operating dates for 2026:
April 1 to May 31 (spring season)
October 1 to November 30 (fall season)
Minimum number of passengers to operate: 1
Time: about 1.5 hours
Operator: Sanko Taxi
Cost: 4000 yen from Totsukawa to Miura-guchi per person
● Reservations must be made in advance.
● Operates daily during the season, but will not operate on days without reservations.
● This plan is only for northbound service from Totsukawa Onsen and Miura-guchi.
● Bus type will vary depending on the number of reservations: microbus, jumbo taxi, or standard taxi.
⚠️This bus does not go to Nishinaka bus stop!
How to Use the Kohechi Bus
Two Nights in Totsukawa
Northbound Kohechi walkers reserve two nights in Totsukawa Onsen and use the bus twice on consecutive days to get them to trailheads in Miura-guchi.
FIRST DAY: BUS to Miura-guchi, WALK BACK over Miura-toge Pass to Totsukawa
After the first night in Totsukawa Onsen, the next day, take the pre-reserved bus from a designated bus stop from Totsukawa Onsen to the Miura-guchi bus stop. (Be sure to have your voucher.)
Cross the suspension bridge and walk back south to Totsukawa Onsen over Miura-toge Pass.
Stay again in Totsukawa.
SECOND DAY: BUS to Miura-guchi, WALK NORTH over Obako-toge Pass to Omata
The next day, take the same bus again to the Mitadani bus stop in Miura-guchi, and walk north from the Obako-toge Pass trailhead to Omata.
※ A separate bus reservation for each day to Miura-guchi is required.
Skip Miura-toge Pass, One Night in Totsukawa
Walkers can also simply skip the Miura-toge Pass section entirely, staying only one night in Totsukawa Onsen, and take the bus directly to the Mitadani bus stop. Then, walk the Obako-toge Pass north to Omata.
Access
DEPARTURE: Totsukawa bus stops
Warabio-guchi bus stop
Totsukawa Onsen bus stop
DESTINATION: Miura-guchi bus stops
Miura-guchi bus stop (for Miura-toge Pass to Totsukawa)
Mitadani bus stop (for Obako-toge Pass to Omata)
Kohechi Bus Course
Kohechi Bus Reservation
ATTENTION:
● Reservations must be made in advance.
● The bus will NOT pick up unreserved guests on the day of service.
Reservations for the bus can be made through KUMANO TRAVEL.
Kohechi Bus reservations, departure times and bus stops>>