Spots List

Koyasan Temple Lodgings

Koyasan Temple Lodgings

Mt. Koya has over 50 temples that accept guests as "Shukubo" (temple lodgings), providing a special spiritual experience not found in general hotels. While viewing beautiful Japanese gardens, you can taste traditional healthy "Shojin Ryori" (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) using no meat or fish, and participate in early morning chanting and services by monks. Many temples also offer experiences like Ajikan (meditation) and sutra copying, allowing for quiet time to face yourself. This experience of immersing in the depths of Japanese Buddhist culture while touching the lifestyle of monks at a 1,200-year-old sacred site has become the true purpose of travel...

Wakayama
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Daimon-zaka Chaya (Teahouse)

Daimon-zaka Chaya (Teahouse)

"Daimon-zaka Chaya," standing at the entrance of the Kumano Kodo highlight "Daimon-zaka," is a unique spot where you can rent Heian-period pilgrimage costumes. Walking the mossy cobblestones lined with cedar trees in colorful traditional attire feels like time-traveling a thousand years back. The staff will carefully assist with dressing and point out the best photography spots, making it extremely popular among overseas travelers. This experience of heading to the sanctuary dressed as an ancient traveler is the best opportunity to leave your Kumano Kodo memories in a deep and photogenic way.

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mitaki Sanso (Inn)

Mitaki Sanso (Inn)

"Mitaki Sanso," located at the foot of Mt. Nachi, is a warm inn loved by pilgrims and hikers as one of the closest accommodations to the World Heritage Nachi Falls. It prides itself on homely hospitality and hand-cooked meals using plenty of seasonal local ingredients, with the tuna dishes of Nachi-Katsuura being especially exquisite. In the silence of the night, you can heal travel fatigue while listening to the distant roar of Nachi Falls. With an ideal location as a base for sightseeing around Mt. Nachi, it is a perfect stay for travelers who want to feel Japanese Minshuku culture...

Wakayama
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Seiganto-ji Temple

Seiganto-ji Temple

"Seiganto-ji Temple," located in Nachi-Katsuura Town, is a famous temple of the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the first temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The greatest highlight is the scenery of the vermilion "Three-Storied Pagoda" soaring with Nachi Falls in the background. This sight of a Buddhist temple and a waterfall coexisting is globally famous as one of the most symbolic spectacular views representing the harmony of Japanese "Shinbutsu-shugo." By visiting along with the adjacent Kumano Nachi Taisha, you can understand Japan's deep spirituality and the ancient culture of respecting nature as gods and Buddhas. The time spent...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mt. Ryujin

"Mt. Ryujin" in Tanabe City is a mountain that has been worshipped by local people since ancient times as a home to the Dragon God, as its name suggests. "Ryujin-gu" is enshrined near the summit, and a solemn atmosphere drifts about. The view from here is wonderful, with the beautiful blue of Tanabe Bay spreading below and the lush cityscape viewable at a glance. On the way up the mountain, you can enjoy pleasant exercise that purifies your mind and body, healed by seasonal plants and the chirping of wild birds. This place, where historical faith and spectacular views merge,...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hiki-iwagun (Toad Rocks)

Hiki-iwagun (Toad Rocks)

"Hiki-iwagun" in Tanabe City is an extremely unique group of strange rocks named because many huge rocks soar and their appearance looks like hundreds of "toads" (hiki) in a line. The dynamic rock formations created by erosion have an overwhelming impact as if you strayed into another world. The surroundings have maintained walking paths, and from the observatory, you can enjoy a grand panorama overlooking the continuous peaks of the Kii Mountain Range and the distant Pacific Ocean. This place, which is also geologically valuable, is recommended for active travelers who want to enjoy a light hike while enjoying nature's...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ogigahama Beach

Ogigahama Beach

"Ogigahama," spreading near the city center of Tanabe, is a bathing beach characterized by its beautiful white sand beach spreading in a fan shape. The waves are calm, so even families can enjoy it with peace of mind, and it is crowded with beach volleyball and various events in summer. Additionally, this place is said to be where pilgrims starting to walk the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi once purified themselves in the sea. It is maintained as a modern beach park, and walking while gazing at the beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean is popular at dusk. It is an ideal...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tenjinzaki Cape

Tenjinzaki Cape

"Tenjinzaki" in Tanabe City is a spectacular scenic spot famous as the "Uyuni Salt Flat of Japan," where water pools in the rocky areas at low tide and reflects the sky like a mirror. Especially at dusk on a windless day, the colors of the sky reflect perfectly on the water surface, and you can take mystical photos. This is also famous as the birthplace of Japan's "National Trust movement," with a history of protecting beautiful nature through the power of citizens. By checking the low tide times in advance, you can experience the mystical art created by great nature,...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Wakanoura

"Wakanoura," loved by many literati and poets since the Manyo era, is one of Japan's representative scenic spots. Panoramic views like a landscape painting unfold, including vast tidal flats appearing at low tide and the "Kankaikaku" pavilion standing as if floating in the sea. Additionally, Kishu Toshogu Shrine, associated with the Tokugawa clan, and the beautiful Wakayama Marina City are nearby, making it attractive to enjoy historical strolls and a resort feeling simultaneously. Walking along the coastline while listening to the calm sound of waves at dusk, you can deeply immerse yourself in the "Wa" (Japanese) spirit and natural beauty...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Wakayama City

Wakayama City, the capital of Wakayama Prefecture, is a gateway city where castle town history, beautiful coastlines, and rich food culture harmonize. The famous "Wakayama Ramen" (Chuka Soba) features a rich soy-based soup and fascinates ramen fans worldwide. Spots where history and nature intersect are dotted throughout, such as the old port town of Kada and the spectacular Wakanoura, mentioned in the Manyoshu. With excellent access from Osaka, it is an energetic city where you can enjoy Japan's diverse charms as the start of your Wakayama journey while enjoying modern convenience.

Wakayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Wakayama Castle

Wakayama Castle

"Wakayama Castle," the symbol of Wakayama City, is a historic castle that flourished as the residence of the Kishu Tokugawa family, one of the three branches of the Tokugawa clan. From the white castle tower standing on Mt. Torafusu, you can overlook the streets of Wakayama and the Kinokawa River, enjoying a panoramic view from the same perspective as the lords of the time. The "Ohashi Corridor," rare nationwide, is a roofed bridge built on an angle, and you can actually experience crossing it on foot. It is a must-see historical base for fans where you can feel Japanese samurai...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tomogashima Islands

Tomogashima Islands

"Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium," located in Shirahama Town, is a very academic and impressive aquarium attached to a research facility. While there are no flashy shows, the exhibits of invertebrates (shrimp, crabs, starfish, etc.) and fish inhabiting the sea around Shirahama are surprisingly extensive, and their diversity is among the best in Japan. The meticulous exhibits showing the creatures' ecology as it is make you feel a deep respect for natural science. It is an ideal authentic spot for intellectually curious travelers who want to carefully observe the "true form" of marine life or those who want to learn about...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium

Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium

"Tomogashima," floating off the coast of Wakayama City, is an uninhabited island group consisting of Jinoshima, Kamishima, Okinoshima, and Torajima. On this island, where a fortress of the former Japanese military was built during the Meiji era, red-brick battery ruins and ammunition depots remain as ruins just as they were, and their mystical sight became a global topic on social media as "looking like the world of the Studio Ghibli movie Castle in the Sky." The contrast of red bricks being swallowed by greenery tells the weight of history in silence. Camping and hiking in the beautiful sea can also...

Wakayama
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Adventure World

Adventure World

"Adventure World" is one of Japan's leading experiential theme parks, combining a zoo, aquarium, and amusement park. It is globally known as a place where many pandas once lived, and today it still features exhibits utilizing that history and experience of breeding. Areas to experience the brilliance of life are packed here, such as the Safari World where you can tour the vast grounds by train or bicycle, dynamic dolphin performances, and the Marine World where penguins and sea otters live. This place, which values "interaction between humans, animals, and nature," gains immense support not only from families but also...

Wakayama
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kumano Kodo Ohechi Hotokezaka

Kumano Kodo Ohechi Hotokezaka

"Hotokezaka," part of the Kumano Kodo Ohechi, is a route leads from Shirahama Town to Susami Town with the charm of a coastal panorama. While origins of the name vary, mossy cobblestones and old Jizo statues remain along the way, allowing you to feel the prayer footprints of former pilgrims. The biggest highlight of this route is the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean spreading out the moment you emerge from the mountain path. You can overlook the rough yet beautiful coastline called "Karekinada," simultaneously tasting the ancient road's silence and the sea's openness. It is an atmospheric road ideal...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mt. Hokketozan

"Hokketozan," located on the border of Kamitonda and Shirahama towns, is a hidden spot where rich nature and historical faith intersect. Historical stone towers and temples supported by local faith stand quietly in the mountains, showing how much the area has been cherished by local people since ancient times. It is also familiar as a hiking course, and walking through the trees provides seasonal mountain colors and clear air to heal travelers. There are no flashy tourist facilities, but what exists there is "Japan's inherent prayer and nature." It is a place suitable for those who want to stray slightly...

Wakayama
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Haso-no-taki Falls

Haso-no-taki Falls

"Haso-no-taki Waterfall," located on a tributary of the Hiki River in the mountains of Shirahama Town, is a hidden masterpiece selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. The sight of the waterfall with a drop of about 22 meters elegantly cascading down multiple rock faces radiates a quiet beauty that leaves you speechless, especially combined with the deep green surroundings. As it is not heavily commercialized for tourism, you can be enveloped in the original sounds of nature and clear air, obtaining deep physical and mental relaxation. The journey along the way also allows for enjoyment of Wakayama's rich...

Wakayama
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Minakata Kumagusu Museum

Minakata Kumagusu Museum

The "Minakata Kumagusu Museum" on Mt. Bansho in Shirahama tells the life and achievements of the rare genius Minakata Kumagusu, a world-class naturalist and folklorist. At this museum surrounded by the lush forest he loved, you can touch his amazing intellect and passion for nature conservation through vast slime mold specimens, handwritten transcripts, and mementos. The panorama of Shirahama's sea from the rooftop observation deck is also outstanding. His philosophy as a pioneer of ecology resonates with modern sustainability, making it a place definitely worth visiting for international travelers seeking intellectual stimulation.

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shirahama Energy Land

Shirahama Energy Land

Located right next to Shirarahama, "Shirahama Energy Land" is an experiential entertainment facility themed on "people and nature's energy." It is packed with attractions to stimulate curiosity for children and adults alike, such as learning about the Earth's origins, a "Trick Art House" using human optical illusions, and athletic mazes. In particular, the "Mystery Zone," where gravity feels distorted, is popular for its photogenic and mysterious experiences. As you can learn about natural science and the importance of energy while playing, it is a recommended spot for families and travelers who want to enjoy Japan's unique theme parks.

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama

Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama

"Fisherman's Wharf Shirahama" is a complex facility filled with ocean charm, operated by the fishermen of Shirahama. The market on the first floor sells morning-caught fresh fish and local specialties, while the restaurants on the second floor and rooftop offer fresh seafood, authentic Italian cuisine, and BBQ while overlooking the beautiful sea. Furthermore, it serves as a base for marine activities such as diving, fishing, and sunset cruises, allowing for multifaceted enjoyment of Wakayama's sea. It is an ideal place for travelers who want to spend active and luxurious time feeling the sea breeze, where local fishing culture and modern...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Toretore Market

Toretore Market

"Toretore Market Nanki-Shirahama" is one of the largest seafood markets in Western Japan. Operated by the local Katata Fishery Cooperative, it is packed with fresh raw tuna sent directly from Katsuura Port and seafood caught in the nearby waters of Wakayama. The highlight is the "Tuna Dissection Show" held daily, where you can watch skilled professional techniques up close and enjoy the luxury of tasting freshly sliced sashimi on the spot. There is also a BBQ corner where you can grill and eat ingredients bought in the market. From souvenir hunting to gourmet experiences, it is a lively food park...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Saki-no-yu Onsen

Saki-no-yu Onsen

"Saki-no-yu" in Shirahama Onsen is one of Japan's oldest open-air baths, recorded in the "Manyoshu" with a history of over 1,300 years. Its greatest feature is that the bathtub is built directly into the rocky area where the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean crash. It is so close to the sea that sea spray may hit your face, and you can feel the Earth's energy with your whole body in an overwhelming sense of openness. Immersing yourself in high-quality sulfur-scented springs while listening to the sound of waves unchanged since the Manyo era is the ultimate Japanese relaxation. It...

Wakayama
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Sandanbeki Cliffs

Sandanbeki Cliffs

"Sandanbeki" is a scenic spot boasting overwhelming power, with a precipitous cliff about 50 meters high continuing for about 2 km. The sight of the Pacific Ocean's rough waves smashing against the rock face as viewed from the observatory tells of nature's strength. Additionally, the "Sandanbeki Cave," which can be reached by elevator down 36 meters underground, is a highlight where you can experience a mystical space where legends say the "Kumano Pirates," active in the Genpei War, hid their ships. The powerful sight of crashing waves making a thunderous sound inside the cave is strongly recommended for travelers with...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Engetsu Island

"Engetsu Island," floating in the sea of Shirahama, is a representative photogenic small island of Wakayama, named after its unique shape with a round moon-shaped hole in the center. Its formal name is Takashima, and its formative beauty created naturally by the power of waves is also designated as a National Scenic Spot. The beauty of the sunset is particularly exceptional, and during limited periods in spring and autumn, you can see the mystical moment when the setting sun fits perfectly inside the island's hole. It can be easily viewed from the road along the coast, and the time spent...

Wakayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter