Table of Contents

1. Getting to Wakayama City
1. by Air
2. by Land
3. by Sea
4. Getting to Wakayama City Hall

Whether you come by train, car, boat, or airplane, Wakayama City is close to many of the great tourist attractions in Japan. Whether you come for just a day, or decide to stay for a while, Wakayama provides a combination of a rich cultural history, natural beauty, and great food. If you have any questions on how to get here, or where to stay, please don't hesitate to get ahold of us.

Getting to Wakayama by Air

Wakayama City is the closest major city to Kansai International Airport, with easy access by both train and bus. The simplest ways to travel between Kansai International Airport and Wakayama City are as follows:

JR Line (to JR Wakayama Station)

Please take the JR line to Hineno, which should take approximately 10 minutes, and change there to a train bound for Wakayama Station. The trip will take approximately 50 minutes in total, and cost 860 yen.

Nankai Line

Please take the Nankai line to Hineno, which should take approximately 10 minutes. From there, please change to a train bound for Wakayama-shi Station. The trip should take approximately one hour in total, and cost 840 yen.

Limousine Bus

The fastest way to get to Wakayama is by limousine bus. The bus departs every half-hour, and goes to the east gate of JR Wakayama Station. One way tickets cost 1,000 yen.

Common Domestic Flight Times to Kansai International Airport

Getting to Wakayama by Land

Driving Directions to Wakayama City

From Osaka

Take the Hanshin Expressway, and then merge onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 1 hour.

From Nagoya

Take the East Meihan Expressway, merge onto the Meihan Country Road and then on to the West Meihan Expressway. Finally, merge onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.

From Nara

Take the West Meihan freeway, and merge onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

From Kobe

Get on the Hanshin Expressway (Wangan Line), and then merge onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From Kyoto

Get on the Meishin Expressway, merge onto the Kinki Highway, and finally onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From Kansai International Airport

Take the Airport Highway, and merge onto the Hanwa Highway. The trip should take approximately 40 minutes.

From Osaka Airport (Itami)

Get on the Hanshin Expressway, and then merge onto the Hanway Highway. The trip should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Directions for Getting to Wakayama by Train

Detailed train directions can be found at Hyperdia.com.

Getting to Wakayama by Sea

There are 12 ferries departing daily between Tokushima and Wakayama. The trip takes approximately 2 hours.

Getting to Wakayama City Hall

It is important for new residents of Wakayama City to come to city hall to register, get insurance, and get their questions about life in Japan and Wakayama answered. There are also many different materials available for visitors, including maps and sightseeing pamphlets. Registration and insurance are on the 1st floor, tourism is on the 4th, and the International Affairs Division and the International Exchange Room are on the 10th floor.

From JR Wakayama Station

Wakayama City Hall is about a 25 minute walk from Wakayama Station. To get there, leave the west gate of the station, and continue walking down Keyaki Odori. It will be on your right hand side, just in front of Wakayama Castle.

You can also get to city hall by taking any bus that stops at Shiyakusho-mae（市役所前）. It should be about a 10 minute ride.

From Nankai Wakayama-shi Station

It is a short 10 minute walk from Wakayama-shi Station to Wakayama City Hall. Just head south, and follow the signs toward Wakayama Castle.