A 2-Day Model Course from Osaka to Wakayama:Discover Photogenic Spots on a Journey from Osaka to Kada in Wakayama!

Traveling around Osaka City and Wakayama City is most convenient by train—no traffic jams, just a comfortable ride. Nankai Electric Railway is especially popular with foreign travelers because it provides direct access to the bustling Minami area of Osaka, known as Namba. To make the most of your journey on Nankai lines at a good value, consider the “NANKAI ALL LINE 2day Pass.” This pass allows unlimited rides on all Nankai lines for two consecutive days and includes perks like discounts at certain stores and facilities. You can buy it at major Nankai stations, including Kansai Airport Station, or via the official global website. Be sure to take advantage of this pass for a convenient and cost-effective rail journey.

Once you’ve checked your bags, exchange your pre-purchased “NANKAI ALL LINE 2day Pass” for a physical ticket at the counter, you’re all set to head to Sumiyoshi Taisha. Board the Airport Express at Kansai Airport Station, transfer at Sakai Station to a local train, and get off at Sumiyoshi Taisha Station. The shrine is about a three-minute walk from the station.

Your first destination is Sumiyoshi Taisha, the head shrine of approximately 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide. It’s one of Japan’s representative shrines, highly regarded in Osaka and locally referred to as “Sumiyossan.” During the first three days of the New Year, over two million worshippers visit here.

The sprawling grounds span around 30,000 tsubo (nearly 100,000 square meters) and are home to numerous noteworthy spots, including four main sanctuaries designated as National Treasures. The vivid vermilion, steeply arched “Sorihashi” bridge is especially striking. It’s also called “Taikobashi” (drum bridge) because of its reflection on the water’s surface. Legend has it that simply crossing it can purify you, so be sure to walk across before offering your prayers. Known since ancient times as a protective deity for maritime safety, Sumiyoshi Taisha is the perfect place to ask for safe travels.

Having prayed for a safe journey at Sumiyoshi Taisha, take the Nankai train from Sumiyoshi Taisha Station to Shin-Imamiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes to reach the Shinsekai area.

Shinsekai is a well-loved tourist spot in Osaka. Retaining an old-town atmosphere, the area is packed with restaurants, shops, and an array of activity-based amusements—like smart ball, shooting galleries, archery, and go/ shogi parlors—giving it the moniker “a neighborhood where you can play.”

Tsutenkaku, standing 108 meters tall, has been a beloved local symbol since days past. Its interior floors feature highlights such as Billiken, the “God of Good Fortune,” and a special outdoor observatory with stunning views.

In recent years, two new attractions have brought fresh excitement to Shinsekai’s playful streets.
One is the “TOWER SLIDER,” an adrenaline-pumping slide that starts from the mid-level observatory on the 3rd floor, 22 meters above ground, and spirals around the elevator tower’s exterior for 60 meters in about 10 seconds. Sloped at about 30 degrees and featuring a transparent ceiling, riders can glimpse the surrounding view if they’re brave enough.

Another set of attractions is “Dive & Walk.” “Dive” involves jumping 14 meters down from the tower’s 40-meter-high midpoint to the mid-level observation deck, while “Walk” has you wearing a safety harness to circle the perimeter of the 26-meter-high mid-level rooftop, traversing an aerial obstacle course.
Both offer thrills galore—experience these tower-specific attractions for yourself!

After you’ve had your fill of heart-pounding attractions, it’s time for dinner. Head to the lively central zone around Tsutenkaku in Shinsekai to indulge in Osaka’s signature dishes.

The area at Tsutenkaku’s base is a trove of local Osaka comfort foods, with large eye-catching signs beckoning you in. The fun is in wandering around, deciding which restaurant to visit and what to eat—a quintessential part of traveling.
You could try crispy fried skewers, a quintessential Shinsekai specialty, at places like the long-established “Osaka Shinsekai Original Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store,” known for its “no double-dipping in sauce” rule, or “Japan Ichi no Kushikatsu Yokozuna Tsutenkaku Branch,” boasting everything from classic to creative menu items. If seafood is more your style, check out “Jumbo Tsuribune Tsurikichi,” an entertaining eatery where you can fish from an indoor pond and then enjoy fresh sashimi, sushi, and tempura. The best approach might be to hop between a few spots, sampling Osaka’s downtown flavors as you go.

Get off at the last stop, Wakayama City Station, and make your way to your first Wakayama destination: Wakayama Castle. The city center is about a 10-minute stroll from the station, allowing you to take a leisurely walk through the lush Wakayama Castle Park.

Walk through the park to reach the center of Wakayama Castle. The white, three-tiered main keep is a stunning city landmark. From the top floor, enjoy sweeping views of downtown Wakayama, the Kinokawa River, the surrounding mountains, and as far as the Kii Channel. Take a moment to feel like a feudal lord surveying your domain.

Next, head to Nishinomaru Garden, a daimyo garden dating to the early Edo period, and stop by the “Koshuan” teahouse for matcha and a Japanese sweet. No knowledge of tea ceremony etiquette is required—simply relax and take in the seasonal beauty of the garden.

Return to Wakayama City Station and take the train to the seaside town of Kada. Your next ride: the Nankai Electric Railway Kada Sakana Line “Medetai Train,” a tourist train brimming with whimsical touches that make the approximate 25-minute journey fly by.

Traveling from Wakayama City Station to Kada Station, you’ll board the “Medetai Train,” which has gained attention on social media. In addition to the existing four carriages— “Kashira,” “Nana,” “Sachi,” and “Kai”—a new addition named “Kanata” joined in July 2024. According to the storyline, “Kanata” is said to be the distant ancestor of the other four.

Each of the two train cars has a unique design concept. In the “Taiko no Kioku” (Memories of Ancient Times) carriage, you’ll find a life-size floor illustration of a dinosaur species newly discovered in Wakayama, along with decor evoking ancient history and romance.
The other carriage, “Mirai e no Omoi” (Hopes for the Future), features a colorful, cheerful design. Messages and hints on preserving Wakayama’s natural environment and wildlife are hidden throughout. The interior is a photogenic paradise—you may find yourself so busy taking pictures that you hardly notice the journey before arriving at Kada Station.

Once you arrive at Kada Station, set out on foot. First, it’s time for lunch. Just off the busier main roads, a retro avenue exudes a genuine travel vibe. Enjoy a leisurely 15-minute walk while snapping photos, and you’ll reach your lunchtime destination.

Located at the entrance to the Tomogashima Ferry Terminal at Kada Port, “Kada Ebisuya” is a harbor eatery run by a former ryokan proprietress.
The menu specializes in seasonal fish, all line-caught by local Kada fishermen, and offers a variety of dishes including à la carte, rice bowls, and set meals. Because line fishing depends heavily on factors like season, weather, and sea conditions, the fish used changes day by day.

Among the many options, the restaurant’s most popular item is the seafood rice bowl. On this day, it included the famous Kada sea bream along with yellowtail, horse mackerel, and other varieties. Even if you’re not well-versed in fish, the freshness is apparent at first glance, and the flavor and texture far exceed expectations. You might find yourself eager to return during another season to explore more of Kada’s sea delights.

After a filling seafood lunch, resume your Kada walk. Strolling past both old and new local homes for about five minutes leads you to “Awashima Shrine,” situated along the Kada coastline.

Awashima Shrine’s striking red torii gate faces the sea, highlighting this ancient sanctuary with 1,700 years of history. It enshrines Sukunahikona no Mikoto, revered throughout Japan as the “protector of women’s well-being,” attracting female worshippers nationwide. The shrine is also famous for doll offerings. The grounds and main hall hold some 20,000 donated dolls, including many hina dolls.

As you enter the mystical setting of this shrine and quietly pray at the main sanctuary, you’ll sense a profound calm. Afterward, stop by the reception area for a heart-shaped ema plaque, write a wish for good fortune in relationships, and dedicate it at the shrine. Leave Awashima Shrine with a renewed sense of purity and gratitude.

Having paid your respects at Awashima Shrine, it’s time to enjoy a local dessert—Kada is home to beloved sweet shops, favored by residents and visitors alike. Try one (or more) on the go as you continue exploring the area.

Yomogi mochi has long been a local specialty in Kada. One place to sample it is “Kojima-ichi Shoten.” According to the owner, the shop has over a century of history as a seafood store and began making yomogi mochi some 40 years ago.

Rather than using mochi flour, they steam glutinous rice every morning, creating a delightfully soft yet springy texture. With fragrant wild mugwort and lightly sweet house-made anko (red bean paste), the balance of flavors is outstanding. Handmade in limited quantities, it often sells out early, but you can sometimes phone in an order after the shop opens to secure your portion.

Meandering through a side street, you might catch a sweet, toasty aroma. Following it will lead you to “Kishimoto Shoten,” a 100-year-old bakery with a quaint Showa-era look. Its specialty is “agepan” (fried bread), offered in three varieties—anko (red bean), custard cream, and kinako (soy flour). Customers file in one after another to buy them.

The most popular is the anko version, stuffed with house-made smooth red bean paste. The Okinawan-born wife of the owner also makes sataa andagi (Okinawan doughnuts) using an authentic recipe. All are gently sweet, not too oily, and deeply comforting. Consider taking a seat on the bench outside to enjoy your snack and snap a few photos—perfect for your travel album.

After satisfying both hunger and curiosity with a progressive sweet tour, head across the way to visit “Kada Kasuga Shrine.”

With roots tracing back to the age of myth, when Amaterasu Omikami was enshrined, Kada Kasuga Shrine is deeply cherished by locals. The precincts display ema plaques painted by junior high students, a reminder of the community’s heartfelt devotion. From the worship hall, walk around to see the exquisitely adorned main sanctuary—a National Important Cultural Property. Its elegant design framed by open skies makes for a beautiful photograph. At the reception area, you’ll find auspicious items such as “Mede-tai Mikuji” (sea bream-shaped fortunes) and “Mizu-ura Mikuji,” which reveals messages once dipped in water, so be sure to take a look.

Though its retro port-town vibe already enchants, Kada has even more scenic gems if you venture a bit further from the central district.

Built in the Meiji era, the Miyama Battery was part of a fortress system defending Osaka Bay. The ruins present a hauntingly beautiful contrast of overgrown greenery and brick structures. From the nearby observatory, you can gaze out over Tomogashima, the Kitan Strait, and Awaji Island. On clear days, you can even spot the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Shikoku in the distance.

Counted among Kada’s oldest scenic spots, Jogasaki Coast features a lookout point on a rocky promontory offering panoramic views of ships crossing the Kitan Strait, as well as Tomogashima, Awaji Island, and Shikoku in the far distance. Keep an eye on the unique rock formations shaped by tectonic shifts and eroded by waves into a washboard-like pattern—nature’s power on display.

About 20 minutes from Kada Port by ferry lies the uninhabited island of Tomogashima. Once a strategic defense site since the Edo era, six batteries were constructed here during the Meiji era. The ruins of these fortifications remain, blending seamlessly with the island’s natural environment to create a uniquely atmospheric setting. Tomogashima also gained fame as the setting for the smash-hit anime “Summertime Rendering,” which has over 1.5 billion total views, attracting fans from around the world.