Two days in Wakayama: temples or coast?
For a night among temples, visit Kongobuji and Danjo Garan on separate days in Koyasan. For beach and cliff scenery, compare one night in Shirahama followed by Sandanbeki the next day. Koyasan uses Nankai trains, cable car and mountain buses; Shirahama uses JR and Meiko buses.
Choose a 2 days, 1 night itinerary
Kongobuji and Danjo Garan on separate days
Choose this route for one night in Koyasan without fitting both temples into one day. Visit Kongobuji on day one and Danjo Garan the next, travelling by Nankai train, cable car and mountain bus.
Kongobuji and Danjo Garan on separate days →2 days, 1 night BBeach on day one, Sandanbeki on day two
Choose this route for one night by the sea, visiting the beach and cliffs on separate days. Walk Shirarahama on day one and visit Sandanbeki the next before returning to Shirahama Station. Use Meiko buses between the beach, cliffs and station.
Beach on day one, Sandanbeki on day two →Kongobuji and Danjo Garan on separate days
Choose this route for one night in Koyasan without fitting both temples into one day. Visit Kongobuji on day one and Danjo Garan the next, travelling by Nankai train, cable car and mountain bus.
Day 1 morning: up the mountain from Gokurakubashi
Take a mountain bus from Koyasan Station to Kongobuji, then stay overnight in Koyasan. Match your departure to temple hours and the bus and cable car connections for your date. Check your booked accommodation’s directions and meal times.
- Nankai Hashimoto → Gokurakubashi
From Nankai Hashimoto, take a local Koya Line train towards Gokurakubashi. Check the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your date, together with the connecting cable car at Gokurakubashi. Travel from your departure city to Hashimoto is separate. Distinguish ordinary tickets from reserved-seat and limited express supplements.
Nankai Koya Line route guideHashimoto weekday timetable towards KoyasanHashimoto timetable towards Koyasan: weekdays and weekends/public holidays
- Gokurakubashi → Cable car to Koyasan Station
Leave the train and change to the Koyasan-bound cable car. Choose a cable car that allows transfer time after your train arrives, using the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your date. From Koyasan Station, a mountain bus is still needed to reach your temple or accommodation.
Nankai Koya Line route guideGokurakubashi weekday timetable towards KoyasanGokurakubashi–Koyasan cable car timetable: weekdays and weekends/public holidays
- Outside Koyasan Station → Kongobuji-mae stop
From Koyasan-ekimae, take a mountain bus via Kongobuji-mae and get off there. The official fare tables list JPY 460 for adults on this section of routes 21, 31, 41, 42, 43, 52, 53 and 55. Route 44 via Daimon Minami Parking follows a different stop order. Check the station timetable’s weekday or weekend/public holiday services and destinations, choosing a bus that leaves enough visiting time before temple last admission at 16:30. If checking in first, find your accommodation’s stop separately.
Rinkan Bus Koyasan mountain fares effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Koyasan-ekimae timetable effective March 28, 2026Kongobuji rail access and mountain map
- Kongobuji-mae → Visit Kongobuji
Walk from the stop to Kongobuji and visit. Usual hours are 08:30–17:00, with last admission at 16:30; check event-day arrangements separately. Afterwards, travel to your booked accommodation. If arriving late, visit Kongobuji first the next day and adjust your time at Danjo Garan.
Kongobuji and Danjo Garan admission and hoursKoyasan temples and Danjo Garan location guideKongobuji rail access and mountain map
- Kongobu-ji Temple → Accommodation, dinner and overnight stay
After visiting, return to your booked accommodation. Check the actual walking or bus route and dinner start time in your booking conditions. If arriving late, ask whether dinner will still be available.
Kongobuji rail access and mountain mapKoyasan Shukubo Association accommodation guide by property
Day 2 morning: Danjo Garan
Add this final visit only if there is enough time before your departure. Skip it for a morning departure.
- Koyasan accommodation → Konpon Daito at Danjo Garan
Visit Konpon Daito if your return connections leave enough time. It is a separate facility and admission from Kongobuji, usually open 08:30–17:00 with last admission at 16:30. Check event-day arrangements separately. The Kondo interior costs another JPY 500; add it only if wanted. If you missed Kongobuji yesterday, prioritize one place according to the time before your return.
Kongobuji and Danjo Garan admission and hoursKoyasan temples and Danjo Garan location guideKongobuji rail access and mountain map
- Danjo Garan and Kongobuji-mae → Bus to Koyasan-ekimae
After visiting, locate the Kongobuji-mae boarding point on the official mountain map and take a Koyasan-ekimae-bound bus. The official stop timetable lists station-bound routes 31, 41, 43, 52 and 53, with an adult fare of JPY 460. Use this boarding point after visiting around Kongobuji. If boarding at another stop near Danjo Garan or your accommodation, check that stop’s station-bound timetable separately. Weekday timetables distinguish school days and school holidays; weekends and public holidays have a separate timetable. Allow time between bus arrival and cable car departure, shortening your final visit for an early connection.
Rinkan Bus Koyasan mountain fares effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Kongobuji-mae timetable effective March 28, 2026Kongobuji rail access and mountain map
- Koyasan Station → Cable car to Gokurakubashi
Take the Gokurakubashi-bound cable car from Koyasan Station. Check its departure in the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your date. Allow time to reach the cable car platform after leaving the mountain bus.
Nankai Koya Line route guideCable car from Koyasan and connecting trains: weekdays and weekends/public holidays
- Gokurakubashi → Nankai Hashimoto
Leave the cable car and change to a Hashimoto-bound local train. Check the destination and departure for your date, allowing time to move through the station and check tickets. Also look up connections beyond Hashimoto.
Nankai Koya Line route guideGokurakubashi timetable towards Namba and Hashimoto: weekdays and weekends/public holidays
- Nankai Hashimoto → Your chosen departure city or airport
For Wakayama city, check connections through the transfer to the JR Wakayama Line at Hashimoto. For Osaka, check through to your chosen Nankai terminus. Allow separately for tickets, station movement, waits, airport transfers and check-in. If continuing to an airport, check connections through to your onward train and flight.
Nankai Hashimoto Station and JR transfer guideNankai Koya Line route guide
Included: Partial total of JPY 1,500 adult admission to Kongobuji and Konpon Daito, plus JPY 1,980 ordinary Hashimoto–Koyasan return by Koya Line train and cable car
Extra costs and conditions: Required mountain buses are excluded. The reference Koyasan-ekimae–Kongobuji-mae section costs JPY 460 each way for adults, or JPY 920 return; extra rides depend on your accommodation. Required mountain buses and travel between your departure city and Hashimoto are missing from this partial total. JR trains, city buses, limited express supplements, accommodation, meals, luggage storage and optional Kondo admission also cost extra.
Ordinary adult admission is JPY 1,000 for Kongobuji and JPY 500 for Konpon Daito, totalling JPY 1,500. Adding the JPY 1,980 ordinary Hashimoto–Koyasan return gives JPY 3,480. The rail fare is JPY 990 each way, including the Koya Line train and cable car. Add JPY 500 for the Kondo interior if wanted.
Mountain buses cost extra. Koyasan-ekimae–Kongobuji-mae is JPY 460 each way for adults, or JPY 920 return. The adult Koyasan one-day bus pass costs JPY 1,500, so individual fares are JPY 580 cheaper for only this return trip. The pass is valid on its specified day and sections, excluding the express Tateri Line and Koya Ryujin Line. Stops and extra rides depend on your accommodation; add the bus fares you actually need. Travel from your departure city, JR trains, city buses, accommodation and meals are also separate.
Kongobuji and Danjo Garan admission and hoursOfficial Nankai fare searchRinkan Bus Koyasan mountain fares effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Koyasan one-day pass price and coverage
Beach on day one, Sandanbeki on day two
Choose this route for one night by the sea, visiting the beach and cliffs on separate days. Walk Shirarahama on day one and visit Sandanbeki the next before returning to Shirahama Station. Use Meiko buses between the beach, cliffs and station.
Day 1: from JR Shirahama Station to the beach
Walk the beach on day one, visit Sandanbeki on day two, then leave by JR train. Choose a return train that allows time for the cliffs, lunch and the bus back to Shirahama Station. Skip the cliffs for a morning departure.
- JR Shirahama Station → Shirarahama stop
From JR Shirahama Station (S0), take Sandanbeki-bound Meiko route 12 and get off at Shirarahama (S15). Check your JR arrival and bus departure together for your date. The JR station and beach stop are separate places.
Meiko timetable revised April 1, 2026Find Meiko Shirahama routes and timetables
- Shirarahama stop → Walk on Shirarahama Beach
Walk from Shirarahama stop to the beach and along the shore. This route does not depend on swimming. Afterwards, have dinner and stay overnight in Shirahama.
Day 2 morning: Sandanbeki cliffs
- Shirahama accommodation → Shirarahama and Sandanbeki stops
From Shirarahama (S15), take Sandanbeki-bound Meiko route 12 to Sandanbeki (S24). Check departures, arrivals and stops in the timetable for your date. Skip the cliffs for an early return departure.
Meiko timetable revised April 1, 2026Sandanbeki cliffs, cave and bus access
- Sandanbeki stop → Cliff views and optional cave visit
Walk about five minutes from the stop, as listed by the tourism bureau, to the free cliff viewpoint. The cave is a separate paid facility, with ordinary adult admission of JPY 1,500 for junior high school age and above. Buy tickets in the building to the right of the viewpoint, then take the elevator down. The official estimate of about 30 minutes inside excludes ticket and elevator queues. Usual hours are 08:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:50. Temporary closure for maintenance is possible in mid-December; check weather-related operations on the day as well. Leave in time for a bus that connects with your booked departure, skipping the cave if queues are long.
Sandanbeki cliffs, cave and bus accessSandanbeki Cave fees, hours and admission route
- Sandanbeki → Shirarahama and lunch
From Sandanbeki (S24), take Tanabe Station-bound route 11 via JR Shirahama Station back to Shirarahama (S15). Check departures, arrivals and stops for your date. Have lunch near the beach and check the next station-bound bus.
- Shirarahama → JR Shirahama Station and departure checks
From Shirarahama (S15), take Tanabe Station-bound route 11 via JR Shirahama Station to JR Shirahama Station (S0). Check buses, JR trains, reserved seats and ticket collection time for your date. For a morning train, skip the cliffs and go to the station. For a flight, check airport transfers and check-in separately.
Included: JPY 1,160 in individual adult fares for four bus rides, plus the chosen cave’s JPY 1,500 ordinary admission
Extra costs and conditions: This partial subtotal excludes JR travel between your departure city and Shirahama, accommodation, meals, luggage storage and other facilities.
Based on the fare table revised April 8, 2021, still linked from the official route page as of October 9. Station–Shirarahama fares are JPY 340 each way and Shirarahama–Sandanbeki fares JPY 240 each way, totalling JPY 1,160 for four adult bus rides. With only the free cliff view, the bus subtotal is JPY 1,160; adding JPY 1,500 ordinary cave admission gives JPY 2,660. JR travel and other costs are excluded, so this is not a total trip budget. The official two-day Free Pass costs JPY 1,600, JPY 440 more than these individual bus fares. Pass plus ordinary cave admission is JPY 3,100 before any discount. Recheck fares, facility fees and discount conditions for your visit date. If the official pass guidance’s JPY 100 cave discount applies, pass plus cave admission totals JPY 3,000, JPY 340 more than individual buses plus ordinary admission at JPY 2,660. Confirm ticket presentation and valid-day conditions on site.
Meiko Shirahama section fare tableMeiko Free Pass prices and end of the paper three-day passSandanbeki Cave fees, hours and admission route
Koyasan transport and travel guide
Follow the train, cable car and mountain bus journey, with separate fares. Choose return connections for your date, then fit temple and accommodation plans around them.
Mountains and coast use different buses
For Koyasan, change from the Nankai Koya Line and cable car to mountain buses. Shirahama uses Meiko buses; Nachi uses Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus’s Nachisan Line. One area’s bus pass cannot cover all three.
Koyasan-ekimae–Kongobuji-mae costs JPY 460 each way for adults, or JPY 920 return. The JPY 1,500 Koyasan one-day pass is valid on its specified day and sections, excluding the express Tateri Line and Koya Ryujin Line. Individual fares are cheaper for only this return. The existing subtotals for the four Koyasan routes omit mountain buses; add any extra rides for your accommodation. Kongobuji-mae and Senjuinbashi are different stops. Distinguish weekday and weekend/public holiday timetables, including school-day and school-holiday services, and match travel-date connections with accommodation access.
Kongobuji rail access and mountain mapFind Meiko Shirahama routes and timetablesNachisan Line timetable revised April 1, 2026Rinkan Bus Koyasan mountain fares effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Koyasan-ekimae timetable effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Kongobuji-mae timetable effective March 28, 2026Rinkan Bus Koyasan one-day pass price and coverage
Getting to Koyasan: train, cable car, then mountain bus
Take a Gokurakubashi-bound Koya Line train from Hashimoto, then change at Gokurakubashi to the Koyasan-bound cable car. From Koyasan Station, use a mountain bus to your temple or booked accommodation. Return by mountain bus, Gokurakubashi-bound cable car and Hashimoto-bound train, in that order.
Kongobuji rail access and mountain mapHashimoto weekday timetable towards KoyasanGokurakubashi weekday timetable towards Koyasan
Koyasan fare: JPY 1,980 return from Hashimoto
The ordinary adult Hashimoto–Koyasan fare is JPY 990 one way or JPY 1,980 return, including the Koya Line train and cable car. Departure city–Hashimoto travel, mountain buses, temple admission, accommodation and meals are separate.
Koyasan travel times: choose connections for your date
Check train and cable car connections in the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your date. Choose mountain buses around temple last admission and accommodation meal times. On the return, allow time between bus arrival and cable car boarding, then match trains beyond Hashimoto or airport transfers.
Hashimoto weekday timetable towards KoyasanHashimoto timetable towards Koyasan: weekdays and weekends/public holidaysGokurakubashi weekday timetable towards KoyasanGokurakubashi–Koyasan cable car timetable: weekdays and weekends/public holidaysCable car from Koyasan and connecting trains: weekdays and weekends/public holidaysGokurakubashi timetable towards Namba and Hashimoto: weekdays and weekends/public holidays
Return to your accommodation plan after visiting Shirarahama
For a Shirahama visit from Kii-Katsuura, recheck the conditions for a day trip or local overnight stay. Even when using the two-day beach and cliff route as a reference, plan JR costs between the bases and your overnight allocation separately.
Compare retaining your weather backup day with a day visit or one night in Shirahama.
Compare two nights each in Shirahama and Kii-Katsuura with a one-night/three-night split.
Official JR timetable and fare search: enter your travel dateFind Meiko Shirahama routes and timetables
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk straight from Shirahama Station to the beach?
Take a Meiko bus from Shirahama Station to Shirarahama stop for the beach. Allow time after leaving the train to change to the bus.
Find Meiko Shirahama routes and timetablesMeiko timetable revised April 1, 2026
Does temple accommodation include every admission fee and activity?
Conditions vary by property. Check your package’s meals, baths, activities and included admission, along with check-in time.
Sources and check dates
- Kongobuji rail access and mountain map ·
- Kongobuji and Danjo Garan admission and hours ·
- Koyasan temples and Danjo Garan location guide ·
- Shirarahama beach and stop guide ·
- Find Meiko Shirahama routes and timetables ·
- Sandanbeki cliffs, cave and bus access ·
- Sandanbeki Cave fees, hours and admission route ·
- Nankai Koya Line route guide ·
- Meiko timetable revised April 1, 2026 ·
- Meiko Shirahama section fare table ·
- Meiko Free Pass prices and end of the paper three-day pass ·
- Nankai Hashimoto Station and JR transfer guide ·
- Official JR timetable and fare search: enter your travel date ·
- Nachisan Line timetable revised April 1, 2026 ·
- Koyasan Shukubo Association accommodation guide by property ·
- Hashimoto weekday timetable towards Koyasan ·
- Gokurakubashi weekday timetable towards Koyasan ·
- Official Nankai fare search ·
- Rinkan Bus Koyasan mountain fares effective March 28, 2026 ·
- Rinkan Bus Koyasan-ekimae timetable effective March 28, 2026 ·
- Rinkan Bus Kongobuji-mae timetable effective March 28, 2026 ·
- Rinkan Bus Koyasan one-day pass price and coverage ·
- Gokurakubashi–Koyasan cable car timetable: weekdays and weekends/public holidays ·
- Hashimoto timetable towards Koyasan: weekdays and weekends/public holidays ·
- Cable car from Koyasan and connecting trains: weekdays and weekends/public holidays ·
- Gokurakubashi timetable towards Namba and Hashimoto: weekdays and weekends/public holidays ·