The Limited Express Nanki for Shingu & Kii-Katsuura

The Nanki is a limited express service which runs between Nagoya Station and two destinations in Wakayama Prefecture: Shingu and Kii-Katsuura. This train passes through several important locations on the scenic Kii Peninsula. Current Nanki services use JR Central’s HC85 hybrid trains, whose wide windows make the passing coastal and mountain scenery a major part of the journey.

The Nanki is operated by JR Central, but between Kawarada and Tsu it uses the private Ise Railway section. For this reason it is not completely free for Japan Rail Pass holders. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you will have to pay a surcharge to Ise Railway. The current total is 840 yen, including a passenger ticket of 520 yen and a limited express fee of 320 yen. Ise Railway does not accept transport IC cards for this section, so have cash or another accepted payment method ready. At Nagoya Station this train departs from Platform 12.

Key Destinations

The Nanki makes limited stops at the following stations.

Nagoya – Kuwana – Yokkaichi – Suzuka – Tsu – Matsusaka – Taki – Misedani – Kii-Nagashima – Owase – Kumanoshi – Shingu – Kii-Katsuura

Between Kawarada and Tsu the Nanki runs along the private Ise Railway section. Below are listed the key destinations and transfer points. The adult one-way fares and scheduled times below are for direct travel from Nagoya on Nanki 1 in an ordinary-car unreserved seat, outside designated all-reserved periods. Outside those all-reserved periods, adding a reserved seat normally costs 530 yen more than an unreserved seat, though the difference can be 330 yen, 730 yen, or 930 yen depending on the travel period. On designated peak dates, Nanki trains are reserved-seat-only, so check the seat rule for your travel date before you go.

Kuwana Station

Kuwana attractions include the Taisho-era Rokkaen house and gardens, which were completed in 1913 and designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, and Nagashima Spa Land which is a popular amusement park with roller coasters, a Ferris Wheel, and a water park. Transfers can be made here to the Kintetsu Nagoya Line and the private Yoro Line. For the private Sangi Railway Hokusei Line, use adjacent Nishi-Kuwana Station.

Yokkaichi Station

Yokkaichi is a major port city in Mie Prefecture. It is best known for the Dai-Yokkaichi Festival held every August, which features parades of giant mechanical dolls, dancing and taiko drumming. From JR Yokkaichi Station you can transfer by bus to Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station for the Kintetsu Nagoya Line, the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line, and the Yokkaichi Asunarou Railway Utsube Line.

Tsu Station

Tsu is the capital city of Mie Prefecture. The city’s attractions include Kitabatake Shrine which dates from 1643, Mie Prefectural Museum (MieMu), Mie Prefectural Art Museum, and Tsu Castle. Tsu Castle was originally built in 1580, and today the site is known for its stone walls, remaining moat, and a reconstructed three-story corner turret. Transfers can be made here to JR Central’s Kisei Main Line and the Kintetsu Nagoya Line.

Matsusaka Station

Matsusaka is a historical city with many preserved traditional buildings dating from the Edo era. The ruins of Matsusaka Castle, built in 1588, are not complete but the walls are still impressive. Within the castle grounds are two museums, the History and Folklore Museum, and a museum dedicated to the 18th century classical Japanese scholar Motoori Norinaga. Close by the castle grounds are the Castle Guard Residences: the preserved homes of the samurai who guarded the castle. One of these buildings is open to the public.

Matsusaka is also famous for indigo blue cotton, traditional green tea and for Matsusaka beef, which is sometimes associated with producer practices such as massage or beer feeding, though these are occasional practices rather than universal requirements. Transfers can be made here to JR Central’s Kisei Line and Meisho Line, and to the Kintetsu Yamada Line.

Owase Station

Owase is a small port town in the south of Mie Prefecture. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, part of a UNESCO World Heritage property, pass close to Owase, and the Kumano Kodo Center is also located here. This center has exhibitions detailing the history of the ancient pilgrimage route. Owase Shrine is notable for having a massive pair of sacred camphor trees which are presumed to be around 1,000 years old. They are called the “married couple trees” and people pray here for romantic fortune or for a happy marriage.

Kumanoshi Station

Kumanoshi Station serves the city of Kumano. This city is known for its beautiful beaches and rock formations, the scenic Matsumoto-toge Pass hiking trail, and the Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine which is believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

Shingu Station

Shingu is a city in Wakayama Prefecture which is best known for Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano and part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Kamikura-jinja, below Gotobiki-iwa on Gongen Mountain, is closely associated with the ancient worship of Hayatama and commands a spectacular view over the city.

Kii-Katsuura Station

Kii-Katsuura Station serves the town of Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture. This is the home of Kumano Nachi Taisha, which is another one of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano and part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Not far from the shrine is Nachi no Taki, which at 133 meters is Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall.

Timetables

The Limited Express Nanki runs three round trip services that take in Nagoya, Shingu and Kii-Katsuura, and one round trip service that runs between Nagoya and Shingu only. The times below reflect the regular timetable, but schedules can change, so confirm current train times before travel.

Service	Nagoya	Shingu	Kii-Katsuura
Nanki #1	8:02	11:34	11:56
Nanki #3	10:01	13:37	13:58
Nanki #5	12:58	16:24	16:44
Nanki #7	19:45	23:14	–

 

Service	Kii-Katsuura	Shingu	Nagoya
Nanki #2	–	6:20	9:42
Nanki #4	8:54	9:13	12:41
Nanki #6	12:25	12:45	16:12
Nanki #8	17:11	17:31	20:49

To look up train times, fares, and connections quickly and easily use online English language route finders like Jorudan.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 19-Jul-2026.