Limited Sleeper Train WEST EXPRESS GINGA For Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails Over 1000 Years Old

Limited Sleeper Train WEST EXPRESS GINGA For Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails Over 1000 Years Old

Hey guys! I’m in Kyoto right now. And I’m taking a Special sleeper train from here Kyoto to Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture. The train runs only 2 round trips a week And only 101 seats. I’m going on a hike on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage trails there. Here is in front of Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station looks pretty modern. There are lots of foreigner here in Kyoto recently. This building opened in 1997. So It’s already 26 years old. Let’s go inside. That’s Kyoto Tower. Does’t suits Kyoto town. That’s shame! Now I’m inside the building of Kyoto Station. I gotta buy dinner.

Yes I’ll take a Ekiben box meal. It’s popular in Japan to eat Ekiben on the train. There are a lot of different kinds of Ekiben. I can’t choose one. All look so good. Unfortunately some are already sold out. It’s easier to choose though. Sukiyaki sounds good. It’s Sukiyaki and crab meat

After buying dinner, I got the ticket for the train. The ticket is only ¥8,470 [$57.50] for 12 hour trip.

🇺🇸U.S.A. $57.50USD, 🇪🇺EU €53.00EUR, 🇮🇳India ₹3,277INR, 🇰🇷South Korea ₩49,467KRW, 🇮🇩Indonesia Rp893,284IDR, 🇧🇷Brazil R$281BRL, 🇬🇧UK £45.40GBP, 🇻🇳Vietnam ₫1,401,209VND, 🇭🇰HongKong HK$450HKD, 🇹🇭Thailand ฿ 2,024THB, 🇹🇼Taiwan NT$1,804TWD, 🇵🇭The Philippines ₱ 3,192PHP, 🇷🇺Russia ₽ 5,262RUB, 🇨🇦Canada CA$77.90CAD, 🇲🇽Mexico MX$991MXN, 🇲🇾Malaysia RM269.6MYR, 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia 216.4AR, 🇹🇷 Turkey ৳ 1,667TRY, 🇦🇺Australia A$86.50AUD, 🇵🇰Pakistan Rs 16,251PKR, 🇧🇩Bangladesh ৳6,361BDT, 🇸🇬Singapore S$76.90SGD, 🇨🇳China 元407CNY 🇪🇬Egypt E£1,782GP, 🇦🇪UAE 211.8AED

Which platform should I go? Ah here it is! 31!! By the way, let’s check the route. We take the train from Kyoto to Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture. 12-hour trip. Let’s go to the platform. Here is an automatic ticket gate. I got a hole on my ticket.

WEST EXPRESS GINGA will depart from track 31 at 9:15 p.m. This is the ad. Looks awesome! Is this WEST EXPRESS GINGA??? Already has come?? This is not WEST EXPRESS GINGA. Different one. But looks so nice! So Japanese! So Kyoto! Bye Bye! So now track 31 is empty.

WEST EXPRESS GINGA will be arriving soon. Coming! Stunning! This car is for premier seats. Looks amazing! This train was manufactured in 1980 and refurbished for this in 2020. So the cab is still old as the original. This is free space. Premier rooms are only 5 rooms.

There are four two-bed rooms and one single room. This is car No.5. Full-flat seat My seat is in this car. Here we go. Damn good! The top bunk on the right is mine. This is 4-bed compartment without door. This is a barrier-free room. It has curtains. We are here at car No.5.

Let’s go forward. Check out the restroom first. Looks like a barrier-free restroom. The sink looks super clean. This car is free space. All passengers can seat for chatting and dinning. 4 tables and some bench seats over there. You can play chess on this table. I don’t know where the chess pieces are.

Looks like a instagram post. It would be nice to sit down here with seaside view. Wooden table. Men’s toilet. Family Cabin. Reclining seats This reclining seat is better than normal Green Seat of a normal express train. Here is also free space. This car No.3 is for only female. So I can’t get in.

The washroom looks way different from others. I guess It’s for making up Car No.1 is also a green car which means second class and you have to pay the fee. These seats convert into beds Two seats facing each other is for one person. Actually I’m taking this car on the way back.

I will upload the video about the return trip on a first seat later! Please look forward to it! You can keep your luggage here. Ok, I’m gonna have dinner. Heading to the free space. Wooden table. Nice. Kyoto’s craft beer. Sukiyaki and Crab Rice Bento.

This is a unique bento that you can warm it up. Just pull the string! Should I pull it out??? Yes I should. Here we go! Getting warm. It’s actually hot! Shredded and dried squid. It’s good for beer. Kanpai! [Cheers!] Yes, we are still at Kyoto Station. Haven’t departed yet!

This is shredded and dried squid. We call it Sakiika. We’ve just departed! It’s on time. Announcements : Next stop is Shin-Osaka at 22:10. Osaka at 22:17. Wakayama at 23:42. We will stop at Wakayama for about 1 hour. Kushimoto at 6:50 a.m. We will stop at Kushimoto for about 1 hour as well.

Kii-katsuura at 9:05 a.m. We will arrive at the last stop, Shingu, at 9:37 tomorrow morning. We’ve departed from Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. We’ just started our trip for Kushimoto, Which is the Southernmost part of Honshu, Kiikatsuura Onsen[Hot spring]

And Shingu, which is one of Kumano Sanzan, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine enshrined. The distance is about 315 km. This is a 12-hour and 22-minute train journey along the Kumano Kaido, a road that worshippers used to walk to the Kumano area.

Please enjoy the night view from the windows and the atmosphere of stations late at night and early in the morning. And we hope you enjoy the time on our night train. By the way, I’m eating my bento Crab.

Announcements : We have free space for all passengers, Car No.6 Comet, Car No.4 Yusei, Car No.3 Myojo. Smoking is prohibited on this train, including free space. Smoking is not permitted in private rooms as well. Please look after your belongings when you leave your seat.

Guests using a private room must use a PIN lock. Of course, you can take pictures of the inside of the train and the view from the window. Please consider others when taking pictures. This is Sukuyaki. Beef A scallop There is something warming it up underneath. Let’s check out the seat Wood. Soft.

We are arriving at Shin-Osaka Station. Room tour. The mattress is enough soft. Yes, It’s way softer than Nobinobi seat of Sunrise Express. The width is about 60cm[2ft] I got a pillow sheet. a blanket. This is a dimmer switch. It’s a star-shaped swich.

Got a small shelf for small stuff such as glasses. The wall is also made in wood. Got an air conditioner. Just can control the wind. lower berths have curtains. But upper berths don’t. The length is about 190cm[6ft 3in] to 200cm[6ft 6in] , I guess.

It’s no problem for me, 176cm [5ft 9in] long There is no shower. So I have nothing to do any more tonight. I should sleep now for the sunrise the 　following morning OK. Good night. The following morning… Good morning. 5:11 a.m. It’s still dark outside.

By the way, we don’t have summer time in Japan. Some guys are still/already awake. I guess they haven’t slept yet. The sky is getting lighter. We are running along the coast. Great view on a beautiful morning. Here comes the sun. We’ve just arrived at Kushimoto Station.

The train will stop over one hour here. So I want to get my breakfast around the station. And also they provide an optional tour to the near sightseeing spot. I don’t know well though. Let’s check it out! and walk around for my breakfast.

You can get special breakfast bento here if you book it online 2 days before the departure day in advance. We will leave here at 8:00 a.m. It’s 6:56 a.m. now. We have still more than one hour. Here Kushimoto is the Southernmost part of Honshu, main land in Japan.

You have to get stamp on your ticket when you get outside of the station. Me ” I want to go outside once” Taxi is availeble. There is a shared taxi to the famous sightseeing spot. I’ve just got breakfast at Seven Eleven in front of the station. Still have time.

I should visit there. right? 6 around trips for this train. Let’s go there! 2-day unlimited ride ticket costs ¥1,000 [$7.00] This most be the one! It’s so close to the station. Just takes about 5 minutes. You can walk from the station actually. It’s called Hashigui-iwa, which means rock like bridge pillars.

You can walk there when low tide. It’s not low tide now. Never mind. Gotta go back! See you! He gave something. A card about Hashigui-iwa. My train has been waiting for me. lol Great! Nobody home!! The cab looks very old. Yes, It is actually made in 1980. So cool! It’s time to go!

You can open the door. That is the one I visited right before. So good!! What a wonderful view! There is an event that a lady explain Mandala. Mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols about Buddhism and Hinduism. This is the second Mandala. Interesting! Got a leaf. It looks a limited express train passing.

Announcements : We will arrive at Kii-Katsuura in 4 minutes It’s Kii-Katsuura Station now. The local staff are welcoming. After Kii-Katsuura, We will arrive the last stop, Shingu Station. A long beach. I’m going on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails for 2 days there. The beach is so long. It’s 4km long.

It is also known as a spawning ground for sea turtles. Finally we are arriving at Shingu Station! Here we go! I want to see it off. See you tomorrow! It’s gone. Let’s move on. They gave me back my ticket. It’s kind of my memorial souvenir.

The tourist information center provides a free guide tour of Hayatama Taisha. Unfortunately I don’t have enough time to join the tour. I have to visit all of Kumano Sanzan for 2 days. So I decided to rent a car. I haven’t made a reservation though. It could be OK because It’s off-season now.

Here is in front of Shingu Station. I’m just visiting Katsuura Fish Market by car now. Katsuura is famous for freshly caught tuna. A model of Tuna. Actually the market is not open today. But there are many sushi restaurant here in Katsuura. I should have fresh tuna for my lunch. Let’s go inside.

I ordered Maguro Don, Tuna rice bowl, It’s thick slices of fresh tuna on the rice with raw egg. The tuna is seasoned. ¥1,900 [$13.00] Itadakimasu! Sooo good! I love it! Wasabi on it Raw egg with Tuna is just amazing! Don’t worry! Raw egg in Japan is totally safe to eat! Gochisousama-Deshita

After lunch, I’m heading to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. Shall we start Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails? You are here. Yes, I am here at the free parking. I’m walking through Daimon-zaka. Then Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple is just next to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. At last, Nachi waterfall

Don’t forget to see Meoto-sugi Cedar Trees. Let’s go! Pubic Bathroom here. There is no bathroom on the way, so you should do it here. Walking sticks are provided free of charge. OK, I’m taking one. It would help your knees to walk easily. But for me, I don’t need it actually.

No thanks! This is the road. Here we go! Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails is the World Heritage designation and have been in use for over 1,000 years. They are the only pilgrimage routes besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a World Heritage site. So peaceful. A teahouse. They rent traditional costumes.

These are Meoto-sugi Cedar Trees. It means a couple of [husband and wife] cedar trees. It might be around 800 years old. BUI can feel the history of over 1,000 years. I can feel the history of over 1,000 years. It’s so impressing to walk the same road people walked over 1,000 years ago

Those stones that are placed on the road would have been set long long time ago. This tree is also 800 years old. It’s uphill. So it’s not easy to walk. But It’s not hot today. just good temperature. I guess this is the best season to go on a hike here in October.

It’s so hot and humid to go on a hike in Japan during the summer, from July to September. The sign says that You have to bring all stuff including garbage. You can leave only your foot stamps. You can take back home only souvenirs and memories. I agree!

For Kumano Naci Taisha Grand Shrine and Nachi-san Seigannto-ji Temple. There are many pilgrims that men dress in white attire It’s a traditional costume of pilgrim. It’s tough to go up long stairs. Almost there. Wow so long! Finally I arrived! Let’s wash your hands and mouth before praying the shrine.

A small fire wood for praying is ¥100. Put it on the fire. Here it is. After praying the main shrine, Let’s walk under the 850 years old tree for pray. ¥300 for wooden plate. This is the tree I can pass under. ¥300 I’m writing “Achieving a good match” Here we go!!!

The entrance is pretty small. So You cannot enter it if you are big. I made it! So spiritual. This is a ladderish stairs. Almost ladder. Put it on here. What is the noise from??? Ah gardeners are using air blowing machines. That sucks!!! This is Seiganto-ji Temple. Look! It must be Nachi Waterfall!

I’ll be there soon! Looks amazing. The waterfall is with a 436 ft (133m) vertical drop, 42ft 8in width and a 33 ft (10m) deep basin. It’s the World Heritage. Going down again! What a beautiful costume they wear! That is the costume in Heian Period Majestic!

You can go closer if you pay the entrance fee. Of course I’ll go! It’s ¥300. This is the ticket. You can drink this water. I guess it’s spring. A fortune paper. ¥200 for Sakazuki Cup. ¥100 for A fortune paper. Take one paper.

You can get the fortune message when you put it in the water. The letters are coming out! Mine is uncertain luck. not so good. lol You should tie it up the rope when you get the result besides best luck. Let’s drink the spring water for my good luck!

Tastes better than tap water in Tokyo. lol Fresh air. Negative ions that waterfalls make are good for the body. The stone is for good luck when you stroke it. Stroking the stone costs ¥100.

Stroking once for love knot charm, twice for money and good family, three times for warding off evil and good health. ¥100 I will stroke once. Tea break! It’s a Japanese desert, kind of Anko inside Mochi. I love this. It’s only ¥300 [$2.00] Green tea is free.

After Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, I came to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine by car. Let’s wash hands first. Wash my left hand, Wash my right hand, then wash my mouth. We are here now. It tells the order which ones you should

“The way you worship gods in formal manners is as follows:first you make a money offering into an offertory box, and then bow twice, clap your hands twice, and finally bow once again.” According to the official site. This way is at shrines. don’t clap your hands at temples!!

You can’t shoot pictures and videos beyond the gate. I’ll pray the god without shooting. Just finished! Let’s go back to my car. This slope looks really old. It’s the bell ringing at 5 p.m. It’s closed time at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. There is one more thing I should see!!

It’s the big gate, Torii. Actually I should’ve visit the Torii before visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. But anyway. I love this road. just a strait road between rice fields. Huuuuge!!!! It’s the end on this video soon. But I’m visiting the last shrine of Kumano Sanzan, Kumano hayatama Taisha Shrine the following day.

About Kumano hayatama Taisha Shrine and first class of WEST EXPRESS GINGA on the return trip to Kyoto will be uploaded on the next video It would be a great trip. Definitely you would love it! We hope you’ll be looking forward to it! It’s Wakayama Ramen One of my favorite ramen flavors.

Tonkotsu Soy Sauce taste. Cha-Shu-Men ¥800 [$5.50] at Hayami in Shingu City. Damn good! Thank you for watching! Please press the like button and subscribe to our channel!

We take the limited sleeper train WEST EXPRESS GINGA from Kyoto to Shingu, Wakayama. The train only runs two round trips a week. It’s special train because it has lots of free space. Let me take you a virtual train ride.
And we go on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails. It is a World Heritage site and has been in use for over 1000 years. It is the only pilgrimage route besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a World Heritage site.

▼Train information
Train : WEST EXPRESS GINGA
Seat : Couchette
Price : ¥8,470 [$58.50]
Route : Kyoto – Shingu
Duration : 12 hours 22 minutes
Distance : 315.5 km (196.0 mi)
Booking : 1 month before the traveling date on the internet/ at a ticket window

▼WEST EXPRESS GINGA – where to book?
JR West WEST EXPRESS GINGA’S page [in Japanese]
https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/westexginga/reservation_kinan/

▼Please subscribe our channel for more videos!
https://www.youtube.com/@off-to-japan

▼Time table(For Shingu)
Kyoto 21:15
Shin-osaka 22:10-22:13
Osaka 22:17-22:19
Wakayama 23:42-0:40
Kushimoto 6:50- 8:00
Kii-katsuura 9:05-9:10
Shingu 9:37

shot in OCT 2023.

▼Video time
0:00 Opening
0:57 At Kyoto Station
2:34 Buying lunch box bento
4:24 Ticketing
5:19 Checking out the route
11:28 Arriving WEST EXPRESS GINGA
17:18 Exploring the train
27:22 Dinner on the train
31:00 Departure
38:43 Room tour
42:48 The following morning
55:30 At Kushimoto Station
1:20:30 Mandala
1:46:56 Arriving at Shingu Station
1:55:23 Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails
2:12:32 Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine
2:26:00 Nachi Waterfall
2:39:17 Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
2:49:41 Giant Torii Gate

4K HDR 30fps

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