How to travel from Shikoku to Tanabe, Japan

The distance between Shikoku and Tanabe is around 287km (178 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive and then take a ferry which takes around 5h 30m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Shikoku to Tanabe by train, bus, car and ferry. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out TanabeShikoku if you're planning a return trip.

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3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Okayama then Shin-Osaka and then to Kiitanabe.

  • Duration5h 40m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    ¥15,195($110)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to JR Namba and then to Tanabe City Hall.

  • Duration8hrs
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    ¥11,365($83)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
💰 Cheapest
3
car
+
ferry
+
car
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Car and Ferry

Drive to Tokushima then take a ferry to Wakayama Kō then drive to Tanabe.

  • Duration5h 30m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    ¥5,750($42)
Operated by

Multiple operators

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Shikoku and Tanabe

There are several options for getting from Shikoku to Tanabe by train, bus, car and ferry. The cheapest option is to drive and then take a ferry which costs around ¥5,750 ($42) and will take around 5h 30m.

The distance between Shikoku and Tanabe is around 287km (178 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 187km (116 miles)

It takes around 5h 40m to get from Shikoku and Tanabe by train.

The quickest way to get from Shikoku to Tanabe is to drive and then take a ferry which takes around 5h 30m and will set you back approx ¥5,750 ($42).

The cheapest way to travel between Shikoku and Tanabe is to drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around ¥5,750 ($42) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Shikoku and Tanabe. It typically takes around 5h 40m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Shikoku to Tanabe. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Kochiekimae, Okayama and Shin-Osaka. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 40m.

Japan Railways Limited Express and Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Shikoku and Tanabe. Trains depart every 3 hours and will take around 5h 40m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Shikoku and Tanabe. It typically takes around 8hrs and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Shikoku to Tanabe. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in JR Namba. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 8hrs.

JR Shikoku Bus and Meiko Bus run regular bus services between Shikoku and Tanabe. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 8hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Shikoku to Tanabe. We recommend that you take the train to Okayama then Shin-Osaka and then to Kiitanabe. instead which will take 5h 40m.

The closest major airport to Tanabe is Shirahama Airport (SHM) (SHM) which is approximately 8km (5 miles) from Tanabe. Kansai International Airport (KIX) (KIX) and Tokushima Awaodori Airport (TKS) (TKS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Shikoku to Tanabe. We recommend that you take the train to Okayama then Shin-Osaka and then to Kiitanabe. instead which will take 5h 40m.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Shikoku to Tanabe is to take the train which takes, on average, 5h 40m and will usually cost around ¥15,195 ($110).

How do I get from Shikoku to Tanabe

Compare travel optionsbetween Shikoku and Tanabe

Transport options from Shikoku to Tanabe
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
5h 40m
¥15,195($110)
every 3 hours507km (315 miles)
Bus
8hrs
¥11,365($83)
every 4 hours429km (267 miles)
Car and Ferry
5h 30m
¥5,750($42)
every 4 hours287km (178 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Shikoku and Tanabe

Bus companies

Train operators

Ferry operators

Airports near Tanabe

The following major airports near Tanabe offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.

SHM
Shirahama Airport (SHM)
Domestic Airport
Distance
8km (5 miles) from Tanabe
KIX
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
International Airport
Distance
80km (49 miles) from Tanabe
TKS
Tokushima Awaodori Airport (TKS)
Domestic Airport
Distance
85km (53 miles) from Tanabe