Tenjinzaki is a beautiful cape extending into Tanabe Bay on the northern coast of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known for its rich natural environment and spectacular scenery, Tenjinzaki has gained widespread attention in recent years as the “Uyuni Salt Flats of Wakayama”, thanks to its remarkable mirror-like landscapes. However, the appeal of Tenjinzaki goes far beyond its beautiful scenery....»
Kizetsukyo Gorge is a scenic valley in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, known for its dramatic rock formations, clear mountain streams and lush forests. It is part of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Japanese mountains without traveling far from the center of Tanabe. The name Kizetsukyo is associated with the area's extraordinary...»
Ryujin Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by the deep mountains of the Kii Peninsula, the resort offers a peaceful setting where visitors can soak in hot spring water while listening to the gentle flow of the Hidaka River. Along with Yunokawa Onsen in Shimane Prefecture and Kawanaka Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, Ryujin Onsen ...»
Kozanji Temple is a historic temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism, located on a hill in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shonammenzan, and its principal Buddhist image is Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha. Locally, the temple is affectionately known as “Kobo-san”, reflecting the deep connection between the temple and Kobo Daishi Kukai. The temple stands quietly on elev...»
Minabe Plum Grove, located in the Oshine district of Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of Japan’s largest plum blossom orchards. Around 80,000 plum trees cover the hills of Kounoka, creating a breathtaking landscape that has long been described by the phrase “One Million Blossoms in a Single View, Their Fragrance Reaching Ten Ri”. Minabe Town is famous as one of Japan’s le...»
Shinjo General Park is one of the largest multipurpose parks in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Designed around the themes of flowers, art, music, and community, the park combines beautiful natural surroundings with cultural facilities and recreational spaces, making it a popular destination for both local residents and visitors. The extensive grounds feature spacious lawns, large playground eq...»
Near the scenic coastal area of Tenjinzaki in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, a beautiful torii gate stands quietly in the sea. Known as the Sea Torii Gate of Motushima Shrine, this striking landmark creates a mystical scene against the blue ocean and sky. It is one of Tanabe's most memorable seaside viewpoints and a popular destination for visitors seeking beautiful coastal scenery. One of the most...»
The Minakata Kumagusu Memorial Museum and Former Residence in Nakayashikimachi, Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, introduces the remarkable life and achievements of Minakata Kumagusu, one of Japan's most extraordinary naturalists, folklorists, and independent scholars. Closely connected with the natural environment of Kumano, Kumagusu conducted wide-ranging research throughout his life. Today, the faci...»
Roadside Station Ryujin (Woody Plaza Kizokukan) is a charming roadside facility located in Ryujin Village, Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline (National Route 371), which connects the sacred World Heritage site of Mount Koya with the famous Ryujin Onsen hot spring area, it is a convenient place to take a break while driving and an excellent base for discovering the ...»
The Hiki-iwa Rock Formations are a remarkable natural attraction in Inari, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. A series of strangely shaped rocky hills stretches across the landscape, creating a distinctive scenery that is both rugged and beautiful. Despite being only about 5 kilometers from central Tanabe, the area feels surprisingly remote and wild. The Hiki-iwa Rock Formations are part of the Ta...»
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum is a public art museum located in Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Its official name is the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum, Nakahechi Branch of the Tanabe City Museum of Art. The museum stands along the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, a historic pilgrimage route that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property known as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage R...»
The Gyuba Doji Statue at Hashiori Pass, located in Chikatsuyu, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the most iconic landmarks along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route. Standing quietly among tall cedar trees, this small stone figure has watched over pilgrims and travelers for generations. Although the statue is only about 50 centimeters tall, its charming appearance and mysterious ...»
The Tanabe Festival is the annual grand festival of Tokei Shrine in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Held every year on July 24 and 25, this historic festival is believed to have a history of more than 460 years. It is one of the most important traditional festivals in the Kinan region of southern Wakayama and has been carefully passed down through generations. The festival is also considered on...»
Tanabe City Ryujin Gomasan Sky Tower Roadside Station is a spectacular mountain destination located at an elevation of approximately 1,280 meters in Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, a scenic mountain road on National Route 371 connecting the sacred Mount Koya area with the famous Ryujin Onsen hot spring resort. Because of its high elevatio...»
Ogi-ga-hama Beach, located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a popular seaside destination known for its beautiful sandy shore, calm waters, and convenient facilities. Located close to central Tanabe and just about a 10-minute walk from JR Kii-Tanabe Station, the beach is easily accessible for both local residents and international visitors exploring the Kii Peninsula. As its name suggests,...»
Yasukawa Gorge, located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a beautiful natural area stretching through the upper reaches of the Hiki River. Surrounded by deep forests, crystal-clear streams, and dramatic rock formations shaped over countless years, the gorge is one of the most scenic places to experience Wakayama's rich natural environment. Located within a prefectural natural park, Yasukawa...»
Gomasan Sky Tower is a popular sightseeing destination in Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands at an elevation of approximately 1,282 meters along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, a scenic mountain road connecting the sacred mountain town of Koyasan with the famous hot spring resort of Ryujin Onsen. The tower is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Wakayama, including Mou...»
Ukegawa Otaki Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located in the Ukegawa area of Hongu Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known as one of the scenic highlights of Hongu's Eight Views, the waterfall is tucked away in the mountains along the Ukegawa Valley, a tributary of the Kumano River. Its elegant cascade drops approximately 20 meters and has long been cherished by local visitors. One of th...»
Mount Gomadanzan is a magnificent mountain in the Kii Mountains, located on the border between Ryujin Village in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, and Totsukawa Village in Nara Prefecture. Rising to an elevation of 1,372 meters, it stands amid a range of mountains reaching over 1,000 meters and is often described as the “Roof of Kishu”, reflecting its lofty position and spectacular mountain scenery. T...»
Senri-no-Hama Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline in Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the beach extends for approximately 1.3 kilometers and ranges from about 20 to 100 meters in width. It forms part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park and has also been designated as a Historic Site by Wakayama Prefecture since 1964. For centuries, Senri-no-Hama has b...»
Kodo Aruki-no-Sato Chikatsuyu is a large roadside rest and dining facility located in Chikatsuyu, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, one of Japan’s most famous pilgrimage routes and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” Chikatsuyu has a long history as a settlement wh...»
Roadside Station Furusato Center Oto is a welcoming roadside facility located in Ayukawa, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated along National Route 311, it is a convenient stopping point for travelers heading toward the Kumano Kodo and the Kumano Hongu area. The facility is surrounded by the peaceful mountains of the former Oto Village area, with the clear waters of the Tonda River flowing ...»
Tanabe City, located in central-southern Wakayama Prefecture, is a city surrounded by abundant nature and rich cultural heritage. It has developed as an important economic, cultural, and tourism center of the Kii Peninsula and is the second-largest city in Wakayama Prefecture after Wakayama City in terms of population and economic scale. Tanabe is also known as “Kuchi-Kumano,” or the Gateway to K...»
Roadside Station Mizunosato Hidagawa Ryuyu is a popular roadside destination in Fukui, Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along National Route 424, it is a convenient place to stop when traveling toward the famous Ryujin Onsen, one of Japan's “Three Famous Beauty Hot Springs.” The clear waters of the Hidaka River flow peacefully directly in front of the facility, while the ...»
Roadside Station Kumano Kodo Nakahechi is a popular roadside facility in Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along the historic Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route, it serves as a convenient base for travelers walking the pilgrimage route and for drivers traveling along National Route 311. The Nakahechi Route is one of the best-known trails leading to the Kumano Sanzan, the Three Grand S...»
Tanabe City Museum of Art is located within Shinjo General Park in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Opened in 1996, the museum has become an important cultural center connecting the people and history of the Kishu region with Japanese art. Its elevated location offers beautiful views toward Tanabe Bay, while the surrounding greenery creates a peaceful atmosphere for visitors. The museum has an e...»
Tokei Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Closely associated with Kumano faith, one of Japan's most important traditions of pilgrimage and worship, the shrine has been revered by local people for centuries. Today, Tokei Shrine is also recognized as one of the component sites of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mo...»
The Ume Promotion Center is a cultural and tourist facility in Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Officially known as Roadside Station Minabe Ume Promotion Center, it introduces the history, culture, agriculture, and daily life of a region famous throughout Japan as one of the country’s leading plum-producing areas. Minabe is particularly famous for Nanko-ume, a high-quality Japan...»
Tanabe City Kumano Kodo Museum is an important information and rest facility for travelers exploring the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Located in Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, the museum stands directly across from Takijiri-oji, one of the most important sacred sites along the Nakahechi route. The Kumano Kodo is one of Japan's most historic pilgrimage networks and forms part of th...»
Tokoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Yunomine, Hongu Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated within the cultural landscape of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the temple belongs to the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism. The temple's mountain name is Yakuyozan, and it has long been revered as one of the Seven Yakushi Temples of Kumano. St...»
Suga Shrine, located in Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine affectionately known by local residents as “Goryo-san.” Surrounded by the peaceful natural landscape of Minabe, the shrine has long been revered as the community's guardian shrine. Today, Suga Shrine is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn Horse Festival. The shrine is also home to bea...»
Hyakkenzan Gorge is a beautiful natural valley located deep in the mountains of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known as one of the most scenic destinations along the historic Kishu route, the gorge was once voted the number-one scenic spot among the “20 Views of Kishu”. Surrounded by deep, largely untouched forests, Hyakkenzan Gorge is filled with an extraordinary variety of natural formations...»
Toganoki Chaya is a charming traditional tea house with a thatched roof located along the Kumano Kodo in Nonaka, Nakahechi Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. The tea house stands close to Tsugizakura-oji, one of the sacred Oji sites of the Kumano pilgrimage, and the famous Nonaka no Ippon-sugi, a group of enormous cedar trees. With its traditional appearance and rustic atmosphere, Toganoki C...»
Otō Gorge is a spectacular natural valley in the Otō area of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. The gorge is formed by the Otō River, which flows from Mount Otō, one of the prominent peaks of the Kii Mountains. Stretching for approximately 8 kilometers, the gorge is surrounded by steep mountains, deep pools, rushing streams, and dramatic rock formations. The scenery changes beautifully with the se...»
Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Plum Grove, located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the most famous plum blossom destinations in the Kansai region. Tanabe is widely known as one of Japan's leading plum-producing areas, and this beautiful grove is particularly famous for its breathtaking scenery, often described as a place where you can see 300,000 plum trees at a glance. The plum blossoms us...»
Kishu Binchotan Charcoal Memorial Park is a fascinating sightseeing destination in Akitsugawa, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can discover the history, culture, and traditional craftsmanship behind Kishu Binchotan, one of Japan’s most highly regarded forms of charcoal. The facility is located along Wakayama Prefectural Route 29, the Tanabe-Ryujin Line, making it a convenient sto...»
The Great Ginkgo Tree of Fukusada stands in the grounds of Hosenji Temple in Fukusada, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Estimated to be around 400 years old, this enormous ginkgo has long been cherished by local residents and is also affectionately known as the “Senbon Ginkgo,” or “Thousand-Branch Ginkgo.” Designated as a Natural Monument of Tanabe City, the tree is one of the most im...»
Takijiri-oji is a historic shrine located in Kurisugawa, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Its official name is Takijiri-oji Shrine Jugo-jinja. For travelers walking the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, Takijiri-oji is much more than a stop along the trail. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as the gateway to the sacred realm of the Kumano Sanzan, the three grand shrines of Ku...»
Takahara Kumano Shrine is a historic shrine located in Takahara, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, this peaceful mountain shrine has long been associated with the religious traditions and pilgrimage culture of Kumano. The shrine's official name is simply Kumano Shrine, but it has traditionally also been known as Takahara Oji. For c...»
Tsugizakura-oji, located in Nonaka, Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the most atmospheric historic sites along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo. As one of the traditional Oji shrines associated with the Kumano pilgrimage, it has been an important place of worship for travelers journeying toward the sacred sites of Kumano for centuries. Tsugizakura-oji is part of the “K...»
Roadside Station Minabe Ume Promotion Museum is a unique museum-style roadside station in Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Opened in 1997, the facility was created to introduce the history, culture, agriculture, and food traditions of Minabe, one of Japan's leading ume-growing regions. The museum focuses on ume, the Japanese plum or apricot-like fruit traditionally used to make ...»
Yunomine-oji, located in Yunomine, Hongu Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the most important historic religious sites along the Kumano Kodo. It is one of the traditional “Kumano Kuju-ku Oji”, a network of subsidiary shrines and sacred sites established along the pilgrimage routes to the Kumano Sanzan. The site is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Sacred Sites and P...»
Nakahechi, located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is home to one of the most important routes of the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage network through the Kii Peninsula. For centuries, the Nakahechi Route has carried pilgrims toward the sacred Kumano Sanzan—Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Retired emperors, aristocrats, samurai, monks, and ordinary peo...»
Ryuzen Mountain is a 496-meter-high mountain in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as a sacred mountain where the Dragon God (Ryuzen) is believed to dwell, it has long been an important place of local faith. Although the mountain is located relatively close to central Tanabe, it is surrounded by rich forests, fascinating religious traditions, and spectacular scenery. Th...»
Kozenji Temple is a historic Zen temple in Kamitonda Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, the temple is traditionally said to have been founded in 898. With more than 1,200 years of history, Kozenji has long been an important place of worship for the local community. Today, it is especially famous for its enormous w...»
Kishu Binchotan Promotion Center is a cultural and hands-on learning facility in Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture, dedicated to Kishu Binchotan, one of Japan’s finest traditional types of charcoal. Minabe has a long history of charcoal production and remains one of Japan’s major production areas for high-quality Binchotan. At the center, visitors can learn about the history and culture of Kishu B...»
Isaida Inari Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Inari-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Set on a quiet hillside just outside the center of Tanabe, the shrine is surrounded by a lush sacred forest and offers visitors a peaceful atmosphere away from the bustle of the city. Known affectionately by local residents as “O-Inari-san,” the shrine has long been a place of worship for praye...»
Kashima Island is a small uninhabited island located just off the coast of Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture. For centuries, the island has been revered as a sacred place where the gods are believed to reside. Surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Kii Peninsula, the island is home to Kashima Shrine, which enshrines the deity Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto. Kashima Shrine has long been worshipped b...»
Minabe Town is a beautiful rural community in the southern part of Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Facing the Kii Channel, the town is surrounded by a diverse natural landscape of beautiful coastlines, gentle hills, clear rivers, and forest-covered mountains. Minabe is best known throughout Japan as the “town of ume,” or Japanese plums. It is particularly famous as the birthplace of Nanko U...»
Tanabe Castle, also known as Kinsui Castle, was a historic castle once located in what is now Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Built near the mouth of the Aizu River, where the river meets the sea, it was a strategically important flatland castle that played a major role in transportation and coastal defense in the Kumano region. Although most of the original castle structures have disappeared, ...»
Aritoshi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Minato, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known affectionately by local residents as “Goryo-san,” the shrine has long been an important place of worship for the people of Tanabe. Despite being only a few minutes' walk from Kii-Tanabe Station in the center of the city, the shrine grounds have a remarkably peaceful atmosphere. Once visitors pas...»
Inabane Oji Shrine is a historic sacred site located in Iwata, Kamitonda Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, one of Japan's most important pilgrimage routes. Inabane Oji is one of the historic Kumano Kuju-ku Oji, a network of subsidiary shrines established along the pilgrimage routes to the sacred Kumano Sanzan. It is also counted...»
Hosshinmon Oji Shrine is an important historic site along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo in Hongu Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is one of the historic Oji shrines associated with the Kumano pilgrimage and is traditionally counted among the prestigious Five Oji (Gotai Oji). For centuries, Hosshinmon Oji was regarded as a gateway to the sacred precinct of Kumano Hongu Taisha. P...»
Nambayaki, also known as Nanban-yaki, is a traditional specialty of Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture. This distinctive grilled fish cake has been enjoyed in the southern Kii Peninsula for generations. Unlike ordinary kamaboko, which is generally steamed, Nambayaki is made by carefully grilling seasoned fish paste. Fresh lizardfish (eso) and croaker (guchi) caught in the waters around the Kishu-...»
Kishu Binchotan is one of the traditional industries that represents the Kinan region of Wakayama Prefecture. It is a high-quality Japanese charcoal known both in Japan and overseas for its exceptional hardness, powerful heat, and long, stable burning time. Kishu Binchotan is a type of white charcoal traditionally made mainly from ubamegashi oak. It burns at a high and steady temperature, making ...»
Kishu Umeboshi Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can experience the unique culture and flavors of Japanese plums. Minabe is one of Japan’s leading plum-producing regions and is especially famous for Kishu Nanko Ume, a premium variety known for its large size, soft flesh, and delicate skin. At the museum, visitors can learn how traditional J...»
Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture is home to a number of historic sites closely connected with the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the sacred Kumano region of Japan. Among the most important of these sites are the Kujūku-Ōji, a group of sacred subsidiary shrines that once guided and protected pilgrims on their journey to the Kumano Sanzan, the three grand shrines of Kumano. ...»
Tsuru-no-Yu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort surrounded by the mountains of Minabe Town in Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located in a quiet rural area of the town, it has long been loved by local residents and travelers seeking a peaceful place to relax. Minabe is famous for its production of Japanese plums and Kishu Binchotan charcoal, and the mountainous area around Tsuru-no-Yu Ons...»
Quietly floating offshore from Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture, Kashima Island is a small, uninhabited island that has been revered as a “sacred island” since ancient times. Although the island is only about 1.5 kilometers around, it has a remarkable combination of history, legends, religious traditions, and natural beauty. Steep cliffs, rocky coastlines, clear blue waters, and lush vegetation...»
Ryujin-dake is a 1,382-meter-high mountain located on the border between Ryujin Village in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, and Totsukawa Village in Nara Prefecture. Surrounded by the vast forests and mountains of the Kii Peninsula, it is officially recognized as the highest peak in Wakayama Prefecture. Ryujin-dake is part of the magnificent Kii Mountain Range, an area known for its deep forests...»
Deep in the mountains of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, the Ryujin Area is a peaceful destination surrounded by pristine rivers, dense forests, and beautiful mountain scenery. The former Ryujin Village was incorporated into Tanabe City in 2005, but the name “Ryujin” remains part of the local place name and continues to be closely associated with the region. With roughly 70 percent of the area ...»
Kamishima Island is a small, uninhabited island located in Tanabe Bay, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Covering approximately three hectares, the island consists of two small peaks known as Oyama and Koyama. The entire island is covered in dense evergreen forest. For centuries, Kamishima has been regarded as a sacred island where the gods reside, and its natural environment has been carefully p...»
Iwaya Kannon is a fascinating spiritual and natural attraction in Inari-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located on the western side of the scenic Hiki-iwa Rock Formations, the site brings together dramatic rock scenery, lush forests, Buddhist faith, and panoramic views. The name Iwaya Kannon literally means “Kannon in the Rock Cave.” A statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Compassi...»
Haya-oji, now known as Haya Grand Shrine, is a historic sacred site in the Haya district of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It was one of the Kumano Kujūku Ōji, the network of subsidiary shrines located along the ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the sacred Kumano Sanzan. For centuries, pilgrims traveling toward the Kumano Three Grand Shrines stopped at Haya-oji to pray for a safe journey. L...»
The Ninety-Nine Oji are a historic network of subsidiary shrines and sacred sites scattered along the Kii Route and Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo in Wakayama Prefecture. These sacred waypoints were developed particularly during the late Heian and Kamakura periods, when pilgrimages to the sacred Kumano Sanzan became increasingly popular among retired emperors, aristocrats, warriors, and ordin...»
The Ninety-Nine Oji are a group of small shrines and sacred sites located along the Kumano Kodo, particularly along the Nakahechi and Kii Routes. During the medieval period, they served as important spiritual waypoints for pilgrims traveling toward the sacred Kumano Sanzan, the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano. From the late Heian period through the Kamakura period, retired emperors, members of the ...»
Minachigasa is a traditional craft from the Minachi district of Hongu, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. For centuries, these distinctive hats have been associated with travelers and pilgrims walking the Kumano Kodo. Minachigasa was officially designated as a Traditional Local Craft by the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture in 1990. Made primarily from locally sourced natural materials, the hat is b...»
Located in Akitsugawa, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, the Binchotan Discovery Center is a fascinating place to learn about the history, culture, craftsmanship, and many uses of Kishu Binchotan charcoal. The facility is part of Michi-no-Eki Kishu Binchotan Memorial Park, in Akitsugawa, an area widely regarded as the birthplace of Kishu Binchotan. Visitors can explore valuable historical materia...»
Located in Gogawa, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Gogawa Dam, officially known as Tonoyama Dam, is an arch concrete dam built on the Hiki River, part of the Hiki River system. Surrounded by deep mountains, the dam creates a tranquil reservoir where calm water reflects the forested slopes. The area is regarded as one of the scenic destinations of southern Wakayama and offers a wide range of out...»
The Tanabe City Museum of History and Folklore is a public museum in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, dedicated to introducing the region's history, culture, archaeology, and traditional customs in an accessible way. Located on the second floor of the cultural complex Tanaberu, the museum shares the facility with a public library and community spaces, making it a popular place for both local resi...»
Chikano Heian-no-Sato Kameya is a historic traditional house and tourist information center located in Chikano, Nakahechi Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Standing along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route, part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,” the building has welcomed travelers for generations. More than 100 years old, the wooden bu...»
The Hiki-iwa Rocks Furusato Nature Park Center, officially known as the Tanabe Furusato Nature Park Center, is a nature education and visitor facility in Inari-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located at the heart of the Hiki-iwa Rocks National Recreation Area, the center introduces visitors to the unusual geology, plants, animals, and natural environment of the Hiki-iwa Rocks. The landscap...»
Haya Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, surrounded by lush woodland and rural scenery. Standing near the Haya River, the shrine has long watched over the local community and has been an important place of worship for generations. Today, Haya Hachiman Shrine is revered as the ujigami, or guardian deity, of the former eight villages of Naka-Haya and Kam...»
Akiba Shrine, located in Haya-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a small and unusual Shinto shrine where visitors pass through a gap between enormous rocks on their way to the sacred site. Set quietly among the mountains, this unstaffed shrine has a mysterious atmosphere created by the combination of rugged natural scenery and centuries-old religious traditions. Rather than a large shrine ...»
Misu Shrine stands quietly in Kami-Misu, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, along the Shio-migoe Pass route of the Nakahechi section of the Kumano Kodo. With a history closely connected to the Kumano faith, the shrine has long been revered as the ubusunagami, or guardian deity of the local area. The shrine was once known as Ichikura Shrine. For generations, it has served as an important place of w...»
Kaisen Senbei Nanki is a popular food and souvenir destination in Shinjo-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along Prefectural Route 33 beside Uchinoura Bay, the facility is an ideal place to stop during a sightseeing drive around the Nanki-Shirahama area. The main attraction is its extensive selection of Japanese rice crackers made with seafood. More than 40 varieties are available, f...»
Hiki River Prefectural Natural Park is one of the outstanding natural areas of southern Wakayama Prefecture. Centered around the clear waters of the Hiki River and the beautiful valleys of the Kumano River (Iya-gawa), which rises around Mount Hyakkenzan, the park brings together rugged mountains, deep forests, clear streams, waterfalls, and peaceful rural landscapes. Far from the noise of the cit...»