On our last full day in Japan we are traveling from Marugame (by train) to Tokushima where we catch a ferry to Wakayama. Can anyone give us an estimate on the travel time involved and the ease of getting from the train to the ferry? If we can get into Wakayama early enough we were hoping to visit the Koyasan Temple on the same day. Is this at all doable or any suggestions on what to see in the city of Wakayama instead? Thanks for helping us out -- only 3 weeks before we head for Japan!

I'm confused by your question. As I understand it, there is no one Koyasan Temple - there are many, many temples on Mount Koya, aka Koyasan, which is located in a region of Japan known as Wakayama, not in Wakayama City. But I'm no Japan expert!

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. We do want to visit the temples (plural) on Mount Koya in the region of Wakayama. Is it a long distance from the city of Wakayama to the Mount Koya area? Can it be done in half a day or so? Thank you for any help you can give me

We visted Mt Koya & stayed overnight in a temple a few weeks ago - but we came from Osaka rather than the route you are taking.
The ferry timetable is here for Nankai Ferry
http://wiwi.co.jp/kanko/world/englis...metable11.html
this seems to be 2 hrs?
Then according to Hyperdia its between 2.5-3hrs from Wakayama to Koyasan. The map here http://www.nankai-ferry.co.jp/access/index.html shows the access to the station from the ferry - it looks very close. However, it would seem the ferry & train & travel between port & station would be around 5.5-6hrs minimum - this does not include the initial train to the ferry. It seem to be a long journey, saying that Japanese timetabling seems very joined up - with easy connections. Anyway - this is just what I can see - please check it - I could be wrong, but it seems do-able but long. Koyasan we enjoyed - but the temple stay made this part of the enjoyment. If you can stay overnight it may be worth the long journey.

I suggest that you go to jnto.go.jp and search for "practical travel guide". Find the PTG applicable to Koyayama and probably the Shikoku one. Those guides should give you the basic idea of travel times.

according to the schedule as I am reading it takes 18 hrs by ferry from Tokushima to Wakayama

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-607.pdf

Aloha!

oops, its only 2 hours to Wakayama from Tokushima....sorry

the fare is 1800 yen and there should be twelve ferrys per day

last but not least.....take a taxi from train station to ferry terminal

Aloha!