39 Things to Do in Wakayama

Summer is the best time to explore Wakayama.
Relax on the pristine white sands and swim in the clear blue waters of Nanki Shirahama, and afterward, rejuvenate in a hot spring for a perfect day out.

For domestic flights, Wakayama is served by Nanki Shirahama Airport, just a one-hour flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
For travelers from Nagoya or Osaka, the Shinkansen (bullet train) is recommended.
It takes about two hours from Nagoya and one hour from Shin-Osaka, making Wakayama easily accessible.

The origin of the castle started in 1585, Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) subjugated Kishu teritory (the area now known as Wakayama) and he ordered his younger brother, Hidenaga, to build a castle on Mt.Torafusu which is at a downstream of Kinokawa-river. Later, a vassal of the Hashiba family, Kuwayama Shigeharu was placed in charge of the castle. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Asano Yoshinaga became lord of the castle and he started building a tower followed by an interconnected corridor. He built residences in the area now known as Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Nishinomaru while building a castle town. In 1619, Yorinobu, the 10th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, inherited the castle.

In 662 BC, Kamuyamato-iware-hikonomikoto (became Emperor Jinmu) dedicated Nachi Waterfall as a god in this shrine. It is the head shrine of Kumano Shrines all over in Japan, known as one of the three major Kumano Shrines. It has another name, “Musubi no Miya” which means the shrine to bring a marriage and wishes to come true.

The magma, poured out about 1500 years ago, has been eroded by the sea to form these rocky pillars in the ocean. 40 of them stand along from south to east in a 850m-long line.
The name derived from the appearance of bridge piers without the deck. The artistic scenery created by nature can be called Wakayama’s top tour spot and is designated as a national natural monument.

Founded in 1978, this theme park has a zoo, aquarium, and amusement park in a spacious park of about 800,000 square meters. The zoo and aquarium are home to about 1,400 animals of 140 species, and visitors can take part in safari tours to see the animals in their natural habitat aboard the “Kenya train”. In addition, there will be a tour where you can feed herbivorous animals such as African elephants and giraffes, as well as a wide variety of other contents.

Ketsumi-mikono-okami is enshrined here. The shrine was built during the era of Japan’s 10th emperor, Sujin. Designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2004. Since ancient times, not only upper class, but also samurais and common people worshipped here. There were so many headed for this shrine in lines, it was likened to “the ants’ Kumano pilgrimage.”　

Senjojiki is a large, tiered rock formation that appears as if a thousand tatami mats are spread out. Senjojiki was named because there is enough space for a thousand (sen in Japanese) of tatami mats (jo, a unit for tatami in Japanese).
This unique natural feature was created by the soft sandstone slopes jutting out into the Pacific Ocean having been eroded over the years by the crashing waves.

Having been called the "land of resurrection," it is a shrine with the never-ceasing worshipers who are seeking the courage and readiness to take a new step in the passages of life. Along with Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha, it is called Kumano Sanzan and is the oldest shrine, the head shrine of 5,000 Kumano shrines nationwide. In 2004, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Kumano Kodo is the path leading to the three Kumano Mountains (Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Mt. Nachisan Seiganto Temple). While Kumano faith was rising, noble families used this path to come to Kumano, which was later spread to the general public.

With 620-meter-long pristine white sand, Shirarahama Beach is one of the best beaches in the Kansai area and selected among the best 100 bathing beaches in Japan. About 600,000 people visit the beach every year.
In summer, the colorful parasols stand around on the pure white sand. Clear blue-green ocean and lines of pine trees add more to the atmosphere, much like that of foreign beach resorts.

This is a theme park within Wakayama Marina City. Taste Wakaura’s salty wind from the sea and feel the exotic resort town.
Beautifully-detailed park is divided into three sections - the French town with a fountain plaza, Italian port town likened to a fisherman’s village along the Mediterranean Sea, and a Spanish castle made of stones, all worthy of selfie moments.

Kumano-Nachi Taisha is the main shrine of over 4000 Kumano Shrines dotting Japan. This waterfall stands within the holy area, The grandest fall in Japan is 133m-tall, 13m-wide at the mouth, where water begins to fall, and the plunge pool is 10m-deep, and pours over 1 ton/second of water through three wedges which merges as one fall, thus called “Three Stream Fall.” It is Wakayama’s notable scenic spot that represents the traditional faith at Nachi Mountain - “Water is the mother of life.”

One of the holy Buddhist places opened by Reverend Kōbō Daishi Kūkai. The whole Mt. Koya above 800m-sea-level is the premises. With the main Kondo hall at the center, 117 sub-temples are built. Kongobuji temple’s roof is made of layers of cedar bark and a wooden water barrel is placed on the roof in case of fire.

A landmark of the Nanki-Shirahama area, familiar as the subject of paintings, photographs, and postage stamps. The official name is “Takashima” but it’s commonly called “Engetsu-jima” because of the sea cave (hole) near the center of the island.

A part of Setonaikai National Park, Tomogashima is the name for four islands in the Kitan Channel. Of those, Okinoshima looks like the world of the nationally-famous animation and is called Laputa Island. From the main Island’s Kada Port, a 20-min ferry ride will take you to the island.

An artificial island sits in Wakaura, a scenic area southeast of Wakayama City. It offers a variety of amusement. A theme park, Porto Europe, with a fancy European townscape and other features will let you have fun all day.

A museum located in Taiji town specializing in whales.　
In the main building, which spans three floors, various materials are released under the themes of "Relationship between Humans and Whales" and "Whales from Biological Perspectives." Among them, the life-size complete skeleton specimens of right whales and orcas, such as, exhibited in the large hall of the atrium are impressive, and the diorama bringing back old-fashioned whaling is also spectacular.

Sandanbeki is a 2-km long craggy rock cliff that towers 50 meters above the sea. In the past, fishermen would call this place “midan”, a lookout point for passing ships and schools of fish, but the point has gradually become known as “Sandanbeki” over time. The rockface is pummeled by the Kuroshio Current, creating for a view that’s bound to impress you.

In 1873, this white lighthouse was turned on for the first time. Standing at the southern tip of the main island, the 22.51m-tall (74 ft) white structure has been the symbol of the Shionomisaki Cape.
Its beginning was the treaties signed in the Edo Period between the Tokugawa Administration, America, England, and two other countries, which mandated the setting up of navigation aids and therefore, western-style lighthouses were built at main bays in Japan. Shionomisaki Lighthouse is one of the first 8. Its appearance remains the same as the time of completion, which gives it a very high historical value.

Koyasan was opened in 816 by Reverend Kobo (Kukai). It is Shingon Esoteric Buddhism’s holy land centered around Kongobu-ji Temple. The basin at 800m-high, surrounded by 1,000m-tall mountains, hosts a religious town all of which is on the temple’s premises.

Kongobu-ji on Koyasan is the head temple of Shingon Sect, spreading on the mountain top at 900m-high. When Reverend Kobo opened Koyasan, the first place he worked on was Danjo Garan. Garan means “a quiet place monks gather and train.” Along with “Okunoin” where Reverend Kobo rests in peace, this Danjo Garan is one of the two central places of faith at Koyasan.

"Koyasan Okunoin," the holy site where Kobo Daishi's Nyujo (Entering Meditation), is a center of faith that attracts many worshippers. More than 200,000 gravestones, monuments, and memorials stand in a grove of cedar trees 800 years old.

If you’re exploring Wakayama, be sure to experience a railway journey. From the unique Kishigawa Line with its famous cat stationmaster to the retro green Koya Flower Railway, here are some train lines that will enhance your travel experience.

Wakayama ramen has a long history since before World War II and has become soul food for the local people. The bowl of rich pork bone soup flavored with soy sauce, the chewy, skinny, straight noodles, and the colorful fish kamaboko (fish cake) is one of the local ramens known throughout Japan.

Mehari-zushi, oval-shaped rice balls wrapped in pickled takana, has been a popular soul food in the Nanki area around Shingu City for a long time. It is said that it was originally a staple in the lunch boxes of people working in the mountains and by the sea. It has gained popularity as a convenience food in recent years due to its wild flavor, a combination of pickled takana and rice, and its beautiful appearance that does not lose its shape even after a long time.

A long-established restaurant that has been in business for three generations. It is said to be the birthplace of "shirasu-don," a bowl of hot rice topped with shirasu (Whitebait), and it is said that this restaurant is the birthplace of "shirasu-don", a bowl of rice topped with shirasu. The secret to enhancing the delicate flavor of shirasu lies in the original sauce. The flavorful sauce, based on Yuasa soy sauce, a local specialty, honey with Arita tangerine, and umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum) from Kishu, is the best match for shirasu.

This largest shopping center in Wakayama Prefecture with over 150,000 ㎡ space attracts many local customers as well as shoppers from the Sennan and Hannan areas in Osaka. The center can be reached via an easy access from the Hirai Ramp on the Daini-Hanwa National Highway and is only a 40 minute drive from Kansai Airport.

This shopping center is located directly outside the gates inside JR Wakayama Station. It’s split into the Main Building and North Wing, inside which you’ll find over 70 different shops selling apparel, good eats, Wakayama souvenirs and other ways to kick back.

Katsuura Fishing Port, celebrated for its top-ranking fresh tuna catch in Japan, is adjacent to the Katsuura Fishing Port Market where bustling tuna auctions take place. The Katsuura Port Nigiwai Market, adjacent to this, stands out with its enormous tuna sculpture at the entrance.

Wakayama Marina City, a resort complex floating on the sea in Wakayama Prefecture, is home to various facilities such as theme parks, hot springs, and hotels. “Kuroshio Market" is a gourmet spot where you can buy and taste fresh seafood from all over Japan and the local area.

Into the Kii Mountains without any railroad, a steady stream of hot spring fans keep coming. The reason for this is because it has great water which is counted as one of the beauty secrets in Japan.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate spring (alkaline spring) has no color and is clear, very soft water. After bathing, you experience the smoothness and the moisture on your skin as if a beauty serum was applied. It is also effective for chills, neuralgia, and stiff shoulders. Quite a few visitors stay here for a long time to rehabilitate in the hot spring.

One of the three oldest hot springs in Japan along with Dogo Onsen and Arima Onsen. In this hot spring resort, each hotel and Japanese inn has a unique source spring with slightly different qualities and health effects.
Currently, 14 facilities belong to the Shirahama Onsen Cooperative, and you can visit multiple hot springs of your choice with a Nanki Shirahama Onsen Yumeguri pass (1800 yen). From an outdoor spring with a grand ocean view to a VIP hotel’s huge bath, go around Shirahama Onsen and have fun.

This enormous onsen ryokan is located in the Nanki-Katsuura onsen near the World Heritage Kumano-Nachi Taisha shrine. The complex consists of four buildings: the main building, the Nisshokan, the Sanjokan, and the Nagisakan, and accommodates 404 guest rooms; it’s one of the largest hotels in Japan.

The Hotel Kawakyu was opened in 1993 with the concept of "a special holiday like staying in an art museum.” The building is the joint work of world-renowned architects and creators and has been awarded the prestigious Murano Togo Prize in architecture for its highly original design.

Founded in the mid-Edo period by a former Shinto priest, Ryokan Adumaya is an established inn located near the Kumano Hongu of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo. The charming, purely Japanese-style building includes four special rooms such as "Maki" and "Osugi," each with an attached bath, and all guest rooms are spacious Japanese-style rooms.

A long-established confectionary shop in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Since 1933, Kagero has maintained their motto of “trust, safety, and taste” for three generations. The company has won countless awards at prestigious contests, including the National Confectionary Exposition.

Under the motto of “Meet Japan's delicious oranges," Sowa Kajuen continues to pursue the highest quality, and is responsible for all processes from production of the fruits to processing and sales.

Since its establishment, this orchid corporation has been focusing on the production of Arita mandarin oranges, one of the most famous fruit brands in Japan. It has been promoting cutting-edge agriculture such as the early introduction of fruit sorting by light sensor technology and mulching techniques to increase sugar content. In addition, they have adopted new technologies such as cloud computing systems and agricultural drones to increase productivity and develop all orange production regions.

Gidaian has been promoting the Kishu Nanko plum nationwide with direct sales stores in Wakayama as well as in Tokyo and Osaka. Their signature product, pickled plums (umeboshi in Japanese), are made in very particular way. Not only does it take 30-40 days to pickle the plums, but they also pickle them in three different phases. This way, the thin-skinned Nanko plums are equally soaked through so that even the seeds become tasty.