Kushimoto

By train

The town is served by Kushimoto Station 串本駅 Kushimoto Eki.

From Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama City, the quickest way to reach Kushimoto is via limited express train, either on the Kuroshio くろしお, Super Kuroshio スーパーくろしお, or Ocean Arrow オーシャンアロー services. Cheaper but slower train service is also available and will require one or more transfers. Both express and local services go via the JR Hanwa Line 阪和線, directly connecting to the JR Kinokuni Line きのくに線, which is also sometimes labeled as the JR Kisei Line 紀勢線. Total fare from Wakayama City via limited express and local is ¥4170 about 2h10m and ¥2520 respectively about 3h40m.

Insider's Tip: on Kushimoto bound trains, ask for a seat on the right side 右側 migi-gawa of the train to ensure unobstructed views of the coast. Moreover, a viewing car open to all passengers is available on all Ocean Arrow trains.

From Nagoya, the best way to reach Kushimoto via train is through the limited express Nanki 南紀 leading to Kii-Katsuura Station 紀伊勝浦駅, then transferring to a local train bound for Kushimoto and/or Kii-Tanabe Station 紀伊田辺駅. Local train travel from Nagoya is available but not recommended. Total fare from Nagoya via limited express is ¥9470 about 4h30m.

Train services run roughly once per hour from the big cities. Further, since all lines are run by JR, Japan Rail Pass holders are covered when riding any of the lines mentioned above.

By car

Driving is a viable and highly recommended option, and it will be very useful to have a car when exploring the area. From Wakayama City onward, take the tolled Hanwa Expressway 阪和自動車道 southbound for Shirahama 白浜. Exit at Nanki-Tanabe Interchange 南紀田辺IC, which is currently the last exit, and get on Route 42 bound for Shingu 新宮 following it all the way to Kushimoto. Driving time from the exit is about 2 1/2 hours.

From Nagoya, follow the Higashi Meihan 東名阪自動車道 and Ise Expressways 伊勢自動車道 to get to the Kisei Expressway 紀勢自動車道. Exit at Omiya-Odai Interchange 大宮大台IC, which is currently the last exit, and get on Route 42 bound for Shingu 新宮 following it all the way to Kushimoto. Driving time from the exit is about 6 hours.

Once off the expressway, the route has many winds and turns and follows the coast very closely, and at some points it's quite a steep drop to the ocean, so use extreme caution when driving especially in bad weather. During the summer months, the expressways and Route 42 are heavily traveled by beach-goers coming from the Osaka area, particularly on weekends and holidays. Be advised that this causes lengthy delays, as the roads are not meant for heavy traffic.

By plane

The nearest airport is Nanki-Shirahama Airport in the town of Shirahama 白浜 about 2 hours away. There are daily flights to/from Tokyo-Haneda Airport, but international routes are not served. Take a bus to Shirahama Station 白浜駅 take one of the limited express trains mentioned above to get into town.

The nearest international airport is Kansai International Airport. Take a train or limousine bus to Wakayama Station 和歌山駅 and transfer onto one of the limited express trains mentioned above to get into town.