Train & Bus Route: Temple 59 to Temple 60

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Train & Bus Route from Kokubunji to Yokomineji

It is possible to travel from Temple 59, Kokubunji, to Temple 60, Yokomineji by train and bus.

Walking the route takes approximately 27 km and 10 hours, followed by a mountain climb to Yokomineji at an elevation of around 750 m.

By public transportation, the total travel time can vary because you need to make several transfers. However, you can reach Yokomineji Parking Lot in approximately 3–5 hours, with a total fare of around ¥3,500.

The final section requires you to use the Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus, so be sure to check its operating hours and seasonal service restrictions before setting out.

There is also another option: Temples 61–64 are located along the route toward Iyo-Saijo from Temple 59, Kokubunji, so you can visit Temples 61–64 first and leave Temple 60, Yokomineji, for later.

This article explains the transportation routes from Kokubunji to Yokomineji, as well as how to use the Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus.

Temple Information

Timetable

Public Transport vs. Walking Route

The distance from Temple 59, Kokubunji, to Temple 60, Yokomineji, is approximately 27 km.

Walking the entire route takes around 10 hours, and the final section involves climbing a mountain trail to Yokomineji, which sits at an elevation of approximately 750 m. This section is physically demanding not only because of the distance but also because of the steep final climb.

By using public transportation, however, you can travel by train and bus to a point close to Yokomineji.

Using Public Transportation to Get Close to Yokomineji

On the public transportation route, first travel from Kokubunji to Iyo-Sakurai, then continue to Iyo-Saijo by train or bus.

From Iyo-Saijo, take the Setouchi Bus Nishinokawa Line to Yokomine Trailhead.

After a short walk from the trailhead, you will reach the Uenohara transfer point for the Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus.

From here, the pilgrimage bus takes approximately 30 minutes to Yokomineji Parking Lot. From the parking lot, it is another 10-minute walk to Yokomineji.

In other words, public transportation does not eliminate walking entirely, but its major advantage is that you can get close to Yokomineji without walking the long mountain trail.

The Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus Is Different from a Regular Bus

The Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus connects Uenohara with Yokomineji Parking Lot over a distance of approximately 8 km.

The round-trip fare is ¥2,000, including the toll road fee.

Unlike a regular local bus, however, the pilgrimage bus does not operate on a fixed timetable. Instead, it generally departs once enough passengers have gathered.

The service operates from 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is suspended during the winter season from December 21 through the end of February.

Therefore, when planning a visit to Yokomineji, it is important to consider not only the train and regular bus schedules but also the operating hours of the Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus.

Visiting Temples 61–64 Before Temple 60

There is another way to plan this section: you can change the order in which you visit the temples.

Temples 61, Koenji; 62, Hojuji; 63, Kichijoji; and 64, Maegamiji are located along the route toward Iyo-Saijo from Kokubunji.

Instead of heading directly to Temple 60, Yokomineji, after visiting Temple 59, you can visit Temples 61–64 first and then continue to Yokomineji.

This avoids having to return toward Iyo-Sakurai after visiting Yokomineji and may reduce backtracking and make your itinerary more efficient, depending on your schedule.

Summary

The route from Temple 59, Kokubunji, to Temple 60, Yokomineji, is a long and physically demanding section, with a particularly challenging climb toward the end.

If you want to conserve your energy, public transportation is a useful option. If walking the pilgrimage trail is an important part of your pilgrimage, you can choose to walk the route instead.

You can also reduce backtracking by visiting Temples 61–64 first. For this reason, when planning this section, it is worth considering the schedules of public transportation and the Yokomineji Pilgrimage Bus rather than simply following the temple numbers in order.

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