Japan’s longest fixed bus route gets a thumbs up

An express bus for the Yagi-Shingu route in Nara and Wakayama prefectures starts from Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station to JR Shingu Station through Totsukawa Onsen and other areas. Provided by Nara Kotsu Bus Lines Co. An express sightseeing bus has won plaudits after making its debut along Japan's longest fixed bus line and shaved the travel time to the famed Totsukawa Onsen resort in Nara Prefecture by more than 30 minutes.

The 169.8 kilometer Yagi-Shingu line is operated by Nara Kotsu Bus Lines Co. and connects Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi station in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, with JR Shingu station in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture.

The Yagi-Shingu section, known as the nation's longest regular bus route that does not use expressways, has as many as 168 stops. The route on Saturdays and Sundays is shorter at 166.8 km as the bus makes 166 stops and no detours.

Tourists from faraway regions rave about the Yagi-Shingu line when they visit Totsukawa Onsen in Totsukawa.

Nara Kotsu Bus Lines decided to operate the express service after receiving complaints from passengers who wanted to arrive at their destination quickly in hopes of spending more time in Totsukawa. The sightseeing express shuttle service was discontinued on weekends and national holidays with the intention of Nara Kotsu Bus Lines.

Yamakaze skips 77 stops in the Nara Prefecture s Gojo and Totsukawa. The time between Yamato-Yagi Station and Totsukawa Onsen usually takes four hours and 25 minutes, but has been shortened by 35 minutes to three hours and 50 minutes.

Reaching the Shingu station now requires six hours and 10 minutes, compared to six hours and 45 minutes for non-express buses.

Yamakaze will take shortcuts in some areas.

Its travel distance will be 163.2 km, which is shorter than Japan's second longest line called Kushiro-Rausu, which extends 165.5 km and is managed by Akan Bus Co. in Hokkaido s Kushiro.

Nara Kotsu Bus Lines acknowledged that this could cause problems for bus buffs who stick to Japan's longest distance as a regular bus route.

Passengers on the Yamakaze will also be eligible for a completion certificate that will be presented to those who take the entire route. According to Nara Kotsu Bus Lines, it comes with a special stamp.

Yamakaze starts from Yamato-Yagi Station and Shingu Station at 11: 38 a.m. and 10: 18 a.m. on weekends and national holidays. The same bus model as ordinary buses will be used, and the fare will also be the same.