This post is continued from “Two days trip to Koyasan (Mt. Koya) and Wakayama from Osaka, Part 4 – small trip by lovely trains of Wakayama Dentetsu“.
I wrote about the train of Wakayama Dentetsu. In this post, I would like to show you Nankai Railway’s “Medetai Densha”.
Walk from Wakayama station to Wakayamashi station via Wakayama castle
I had 50 minutes for next train from Wakayamashi station. I supposed to take a train but I decided to walk
Wakayama (walk) Wakayamashi
I did not take the shortest route because I wanted to drop by Wakayama castle. My route was shown on the map below:
I started to walk right after I got Wakayama station by Wakayama Dentetsu train. I just kept walking to get Wakayama castle.
I thought I could make it in 40 minutes. But it was very tight. I just walked through Wakayama castle gardens. I could not see Wakayama castle.
I got Wakayamashi station only 5 minutes before train departure time.
From Wakayamashi station to Kada station by “Medetai Densha” train
I took very lovely train, “Medetai Densha” to Kada.
Wakayamashi 10:55 (Nankai Railway Kada line) 11:21 Kada
Medetai Densha started to run in last year. Medetai means “happy” in Japanese. And in Japan, red snapper is served in special occasion. Red snapper is “Tai” in Japanese. The word of “Medetai” includes “Tai” (mede-tai)”. That is why this train’s mark is snapper.
Previous one is pink but one day before my travel date, newer blue one was just introduced. I just had a chance to take this newer blue version of Medetai Densha.
This train runs on Nankai Railway Kada line. Kada is one of most accessible beach resort in Wakayama. You can access there by Nankai Kada line. Medetai Densha was introduced to promote this beach resort.
Medetai Densha shows the theme of the sea. It has many lovely decoration inside and outside train.
I enjoyed 30 minutes ride to get Kada. I arrived in Kada station.
Kada station has nice local atmosphere.
Walk to Kada port
I had one hour at Kada. I walked in this small town and went down to the port to see the ocean.
This small town works with Nankai Railway to promote. There are lots of banner flag along the street. I could follow these banner flags to get the port.
I dropped by small shrine. This is not a famous tourist spot. But I like this kind of shrine and temple.
I got Kada port. It was very beautiful day. I got lots of sunshine and nice ocean breeze.
I saw the big line up to wait for the boat. This is the ferry boat to Tomogashima island.
Tomogashima island is the name of four islands. Okinoshima is one of these islands and it has been getting popular for visitors. This island was the army base until the end of World War II. There are lots of remains of gun batteries. It is said that the atmosphere of this island is very similar to the world of Ghibli movie, “Laputa: Castle in the Sky”. Unfortunately I did not have a time to visit this island. I will go back Kada to visit this island next time. Kada has nice seafood and onsen bath. I am sure that my family will love this place too.
Go back to Namba via Wakayamashi by Nankai Railway
Kada 12:27 (Nankai Railway Kada line) 12:51 Wakayamashi 13:59 (Nankai Railway Limited Express Southern #34) 15:00 Namba
I took Medetai Densha again to go back to Wakayamashi.
I did not have a time to eat in Kada. I found nice Wakayama Ramen restaurant near Wakayamashi station. “Ramen Hishio” is 10 minutes away from Wakayamashi station.
Ramen Hishio (link to Tabelog)
It is made from Wakayama premium soy sauce. Taste was fabulous.
I wanted to relax after lunch. I paid 510 yen to get a reserved seat on Limited Express Southern.
My two days trip was completed when I arrived in Namba. It was small trip but this was very nice trip.
Thank you for reading my two days trip report. At that time, I used Kansai thru pass 2 days for visiting just Wakayama and Koyasan. Kyoto, Kobe and Nara are very popular place to visit by Kansai thru pass. However Wakayama is very attractive too. If you look for something different, you may consider to visit Wakayama and Koyasan too.
I hope this trip report helps you to build up your trip plan and gives you some idea.
Comments
Dear Takeshi,
May I know if all the trains on Nankai Railway Kada line Medetai Densha? Or is there a specific timing to take the special trains?
Thanks,
Sunny
Hi Sunny,
Usually half train operation are Medetai Densha and other half is normal train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Appreciate if you can advise me which pass should I get for the below itineraries:
Kansai area pass vs Kansai Wide area pass
Day 1: Kansai airport to Wakayama (stay in Wakayama)
Day 2: Wakayama (sight-seeing) (stay in Wakayama)
Day 3: Wakayama – Lake Biwa (stay at Katata)
Day 4: Lake Biwa (sight-seeing) (stay at Katata)
Day 5: Lake Biwa – Osaka (stay at Osaka)
Day 6: Osaka to Kansai airport
also not sure should I stay another night in Lake Biwa (for Day 5) as I saw there’re quite a few places that I can explore around, e.g. Otsu …..any pass that you can recommend if I would like to explore around Lake Biwa?
Much thanks,
MuiSiew
Hi MuiSiew,
If you visit only city of Wakayama, Kansai area pass is okay. But if you visit southern part of Wakayama, such as Shirahama, Katsuura, Shingu, Kansai wide area pass is the choice.
I think 2 nights are okay to stay in Lake Biwa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi!
No worries, MuiSiew.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I would like your advice about which pass we should get for trip detials as below;
Day 1- Arriving KIX in the evening .staying near Fukushima station (Osaka)
Day 2- Day trip in Osaka
Day 3 ; Day trip in Osaka
Day 4 Osaka to Wakayama (staying in Wakayama)
Day 5 Wakayama-Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto day trip
Day 7 Kyoto – Osaka
Day 8 Osaka- KIX
I’m thinking about 3 days KTP to use travelling in Day 4, 5 and 7 , Ra;bbit for traveling from KIX to /from Osaka.
Thank you for your reply
Mattika
Hi Mattika,
Your choice is right. You can use Kansai thru pass for day 4, 5 and 7.
I think ICOCA and Haruka is better choice for day 1 and 8. You will stay in Fukushima station which is JR station. If you take Rapi:t, you need to change trains several times. If you use ICOCA and Haruka to Tennoji, you can take Haruka to Tennoji and change Osaka Kanjo line (loop line) to get Fukushima. Local train on Osaka Kanjo line to Fukushima is also covered by ICOCA and Haruka to Tennoji.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
You can use ICOCA when you take a train or bus in Kyoto.
In Osaka on day 2 and 3, you may use ICOCA but there are several deals available. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com