The area surrounding Wakayama City offers tourist attractions such as Momogen-go, Tomogashima, and Wakayama Castle; sightseeing events such as Tenjin Festival, Hatsuuma, and Hari Kuyo; and local delicacies such as Wakayama ramen, shirasu rice bowl, and kakinoha sushi.
Speaking of Wakayama, the seaside area offers an abundance of seafood from the good fishing grounds of the Pacific Ocean where fresh fish can be caught. On the other hand, the mountainous areas are famous for persimmons and mikan oranges, and as for wild vegetables, they are delicious and suitable for sightseeing. In summer, many bathers come to the area to swim in the sea, and you will surely enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the area.
Wakayama Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ordered his younger brother Hidenaga to build the castle, and it has a castle tower. This area was originally ruled by the Zoga clan, but was destroyed by Hideyoshi. After Hideyoshi's death, the Tokugawa family ruled Wakayama Castle for a long time. This was the beginning of the "Kishu Tokugawa Family," one of the "Three Families of Tokugawa," as it is commonly called.
This area is characterized by many shrines and temples with a long history. The "Koyogei Garden Benishoan" was built by the Tokugawa family. It has a tea ceremony room for enjoying tea, which was later donated to the city by Konosuke Matsushita, an honorary citizen of Wakayama Prefecture, who acquired the facilities.
Kankai-kaku" was also built by the Tokugawa family and stands facing "Kimiidera Temple" on the opposite side. Famous for its early-blooming cherry blossoms, Kimiidera was sent by the Tokugawa family to pray for the prosperity of the Tokugawa family in Kishu.
Off the Pacific Ocean near here is a good fishing ground called "Kata," which is especially famous for "sea bream single hook fishing" that produces beautiful reddish sea bream.
Tomogashima," located in the South Sea, is the name given to a group of islands: Jijishima, Torashima, Kamijima, and Okinoshima. This is a place with very beautiful tropical scenery and well-developed walking trails. It is the most beautiful island for a family vacation in summer.
The area surrounding Wakayama City is very popular for its marine facilities such as Marina City, and there are many fun events such as fireworks displays at night.
At the nearby Kuroshio Market, you can see a tuna dismemberment show, making it a resort where you will never get tired of eating and strolling. The outlets and hotels are also beautiful and make this a place where everyone wants to stay at least once.
Tomogashima is a group of uninhabited islands located in the Kitan Strait off the coast of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The group consists of four islands: Jinoshima, Torajima, Kanashima, and Okinoshima. As part of Setonaikai National Park, Tomogashima offers a fascinating combination of rich natural scenery and historic military ruins. On clear days, visitors can enjoy views toward Awaji ...»
Wakayama Castle is one of Japan’s most impressive historic castles. Located in central Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, the castle stands on Mount Torafusu, a small hill rising approximately 48.9 meters above sea level. Built as a hirayamajo, or castle on a hill surrounded by relatively flat land, it later became the residence of the Kishu-Tokugawa family, one of the three most prestigious bran...»
Kimiidera Temple, located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the region's most historic Buddhist temples. It is especially famous as the second temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a traditional pilgrimage route visiting 33 sacred sites dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist deity of compassion. The temple's official name is Kishu Kimiizan Kongobo Gokokuin, and it serves as the head ...»
A Scenic View Overlooking Wakaura Kishu Toshogu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Wakaura-nishi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is closely associated with the Kishu Tokugawa family, one of the three major branches of the Tokugawa clan that ruled important domains during the Edo period. The shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunat...»
Three National Treasure Buildings Chohoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism, the temple is also known by its mountain name, Keitokuzan. Its principal object of worship is Shakyamuni Buddha. Founded more than a thousand years ago, Chohoji preserves an exceptional collection of historic buildings an...»
Kuroshio Market is a popular tourist market located within Wakayama Marina City, a resort complex in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known as one of the area's premier destinations for local food, the market offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy Wakayama's rich seafood culture through a combination of dining, shopping, and entertainment. The market is more than just a place to eat. Visitors...»
A Sacred Place of Faith and Tradition by the Sea Awashima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is widely regarded as the head shrine of the many Awashima, Awashima, and Awaji shrines found throughout Japan. For centuries, Awashima Shrine has been particularly revered as a guardian deity for women. Visitors come to pray for women's health, saf...»
Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located halfway up Mount Tenjin in Wakaura-nishi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a renowned scholar and statesman who is revered in Japan as the deity of learning, the shrine attracts students, families, and visitors praying for academic success and passing examinations. Along with Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine...»
Porto Europa is a Mediterranean-themed amusement park located within Wakayama Marina City, a large resort complex built on an artificial island in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Designed around the atmosphere of a European port town, the park combines beautiful streetscapes inspired by medieval Europe with a wide variety of amusement rides and entertainment. As soon as you enter Porto Europa...»
Onzanso Garden is one of Japan's notable modern Japanese gardens, located on the shores of Kuroe Bay in Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture. Created from the Taisho period to the early Showa period, the garden is renowned for its unique design, which incorporates the area's natural terrain and beautiful coastal scenery. Covering an extensive area and featuring historically significant buildings, Onzanso ...»
Nishinomaru Garden, also known as Momijidani Garden, is a historic daimyo garden located in the western section of Wakayama Castle in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Created in the early Edo period, this beautiful garden is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Known locally as Momijidani Garden, meaning “Maple Valley Garden,” the site is particularly beautiful in...»
Kuroe is a historic town in the northern part of Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, and is famous throughout Japan as a center of Kishu lacquerware. For more than 400 years, the town has preserved the craftsmanship and culture of this traditional Japanese art. Kishu lacquerware is considered one of Japan's four major lacquerware traditions, alongside Aizu lacquerware, Echizen lacquerware, and Yama...»
Wakaura, also known as Wakanoura, is a scenic coastal area in the southwestern part of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by the sea, mountains, islands, and tidal flats, this beautiful landscape has fascinated people for more than 1,300 years. Wakaura is especially famous for its connection with the Man'yoshu, Japan's oldest major anthology of poetry. Since ancient times, poets, arti...»
Roadside Station Shiki-no-Sato Park FOOD HUNTER PARK is a large recreational complex in Myojoji, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, where nature, local food, agriculture and outdoor activities come together in one destination. Renovated and reopened as a roadside station in 2020, the facility has attracted attention as a new type of tourist destination built around the concept "Be Wild." Coverin...»
Saikazaki is a beautiful cape and fishing district located on the western edge of Wakaura in the southwestern part of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Designated as a Special Protection Area within the Setonaikai National Park, the area is known for its spectacular coastal scenery and distinctive townscape. Homes are built closely together on the slopes overlooking the sea, while a picturesque...»
Kamayama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, with a long history and a distinguished status. The shrine is particularly famous throughout Japan as a place associated with the blessing of choosing names. Families from across the country visit to seek advice on names for newborn babies, as well as guidance when considering a name change. Surrounded by lush gree...»
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama is a major cultural institution in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, featuring an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art. Its collection ranges from works by artists connected with Wakayama to important works by renowned artists from across Japan and around the world. The museum enjoys an excellent location next to Wakayama Castle, making it easy ...»
Yosuien Garden is a magnificent traditional Japanese garden located in Nishihama, Wakayama City. Created during the late Edo period by Tokugawa Harutomi, the 10th lord of the Kishu Tokugawa family, the garden covers approximately 33,000 square meters and has been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Set against the beautiful natural scenery of the Wakaura area, Yosui...»
Hinokuma Shrine and Kunikakasu Shrine are historic Shinto shrines located in Akizuki, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known collectively as Nichizen-gū, the two shrines are regarded as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the ancient Province of Kii. One of the most distinctive features of this sacred site is that two major shrines stand side by side within a single precinct. This un...»
Rokusan-en is a historic villa in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, where elegant modern Japanese architecture meets a beautifully landscaped traditional Japanese garden. Officially known as the Former Matsui Family Villa, the property preserves a valuable example of the residential culture of modern Japan. A total of 10 buildings and structures on the grounds are registered as Tangible Cultura...»
Elegant Sweetness, Fragrant Aroma, and Juicy Flesh Wakayama peaches are one of the region’s signature summer fruits, prized for their elegant sweetness, rich fragrance, and exceptionally juicy flesh. Wakayama Prefecture is one of western Japan’s leading peach-producing regions, thanks to its warm climate and the fertile soils along the Kinokawa River. Peach cultivation has a particularly long hi...»
A Local Specialty of Wakayama City Wakayama Ramen is a beloved local specialty from northern Wakayama Prefecture, particularly around Wakayama City. Locally, it has traditionally been called “Chuka Soba” or simply “Chuka,” rather than ramen. It has long been enjoyed as an everyday meal by local residents, but it gained nationwide attention in Japan in the late 1990s and became widely known as “Wa...»
Zenpuku-in Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. It belongs to the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism and is officially known by the mountain name Hōyūzan. Surrounded by lush greenery and a peaceful natural landscape, the temple offers visitors a quiet atmosphere where they can experience centuries of Japanese history and religious culture...»
Cha-gayu is a traditional Japanese rice porridge cooked with bancha or hojicha tea. In Wakayama Prefecture, it is affectionately known as “okai-san” or “okayusan,” and has been enjoyed by local families for generations. In particular, cha-gayu became an important everyday food in mountainous areas and other places where there was little flat land suitable for growing rice. By cooking a small amou...»
Shiogama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Wakaura-naka, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Affectionately known by local people as “Shiogama-san”, the shrine has long been associated with blessings for safe childbirth, conception, and longevity. One of the shrine's most distinctive features is its location inside a natural sea cave created by centuries of erosion. This unusual setti...»
Chokyu-tei is a historic residence and Japanese garden located in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated within the grounds of Nakano BC Co., Ltd., a long-established Japanese sake producer, the site is known for its beautiful traditional garden and connection with the region's brewing culture. Covering a spacious area, the garden combines a historic residence with a traditional strolling pon...»
Suzuki Residence is a historic site in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, known as the ancestral home of the Suzuki surname. The surname is one of the most common family names in Japan, and it is estimated that around two million people in Japan are named Suzuki. The residence stands in Fujishiro, an important location along the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, and is located within the gro...»
Fujishiro Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Fujishiro, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated along the Kii Route of the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage network leading to the sacred sites of the Kii Peninsula, the shrine has played an important role in the history of pilgrimage to Kumano. The shrine is associated with the former site of Fujishiro Oji, one of the most prestigi...»
Bandoko Garden is a beautiful seaside garden located on the tip of Bansho-no-Hana in Saikazaki, Wakayama City. Surrounded by the sea, greenery, and rugged coastal rocks, the garden offers a spectacular landscape where nature and history come together. Overlooking the Kii Channel, the area has long been celebrated for its scenic beauty and is now one of Wakayama’s most popular viewpoints. The comb...»
The Wakayama Prefectural Museum is a history museum located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. It introduces the long history, diverse culture, religious traditions, arts, and everyday life of the region from ancient times to the modern era. Established in 1971, the museum moved to its present location south of Wakayama Castle in 1994. Its convenient location makes it an excellent place to vi...»
The uninhabited islands of Tomogashima, located in the Kitan Strait between Wakayama and Awaji Island, are home to numerous remains of modern military facilities built during the Meiji period (1868–1912). Among them, the Third Battery Ruins of the Yura Fortress are particularly impressive for their size and relatively well-preserved condition. Red-brick structures, moss-covered stone walls, and u...»
Wakayama Castle Park Zoo is a unique small zoo located within the grounds of Wakayama Castle Park in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. It is one of the rare places in Japan where visitors can enjoy seeing animals within the grounds of a historic castle. Established during the Taisho period, the zoo has a history of more than a century and remains a beloved destination for local residents and vi...»
Kii Fudoki-no-Oka is a prefectural museum and historical park in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can explore the region's archaeology, history, traditional culture, and natural landscapes. The facility was established in 1971 to preserve, research, and introduce the Iwa-se Senzuka Kofun Group, a designated Special Historic Site of Japan. Today, Kii Fudoki-no-Oka is one of Wakay...»
Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History is a natural science museum located in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. The museum offers visitors an opportunity to discover the remarkable natural environment of Wakayama, including its marine life, freshwater ecosystems, plants, animals, geology, and fossils. Since opening in 1982, the museum has followed the concept of “Discover Wakayama!”, focu...»
Miyama No. 1 Battery Ruins are the remains of a military fortification from Japan's Meiji era (1868–1912), located in the Miyama area of Kada, Wakayama City. The battery was once part of the Yura Fortress, an extensive coastal defense system constructed to protect Osaka Bay from potential attacks by enemy warships. Built on elevated ground overlooking the Kitan Strait, the battery played an impor...»
Furobashi Bridge is a graceful stone arch bridge located in Wakanoura, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known as one of the signature landmarks of Wakanoura, the bridge attracts visitors with its elegant design and beautiful surroundings. The gentle curve of the stone arch blends harmoniously with the mountains, sea, and historic buildings of the area, creating a picturesque scene that capture...»
Saikazaki Lighthouse stands dramatically on the steep cliffs of Takano-su at Saikazaki in Wakayama City, overlooking the beautiful waters of Wakanoura. The brilliant white lighthouse contrasts beautifully with the blue sky and ocean, while the panoramic views of the Kii Channel make this one of the area's most attractive scenic destinations. Although the lighthouse continues to serve its original...»
Itakiso Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Itakiso, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. It has long been revered as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the ancient Province of Kii. The shrine is also listed among the important shrines recorded in the Engishiki, an early tenth-century compilation of Shinto institutions and rituals. As one of Wakayama's oldest and most cultural...»
Wakayama City is the capital of Wakayama Prefecture and the largest city in the prefecture. Located in northern Wakayama, the city stretches across the mouth of the Kinokawa River and faces the Kii Channel. Its landscape is remarkably diverse, combining an urban center with beautiful coastlines, gentle hills, and mountainous areas. One of the greatest attractions of Wakayama City is the way visit...»
Kishu Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall “Uruwashikan” is a cultural facility in Kuroe, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, dedicated to introducing the history, craftsmanship, and beauty of Kishu lacquerware. Kuroe has developed as a center of lacquerware production for more than 400 years. A visit to Uruwashikan provides an opportunity to learn about this traditional craft while exploring the ...»
The Sawako Ariyoshi Memorial Museum is a cultural facility dedicated to the life and literary achievements of Sawako Ariyoshi, a celebrated Japanese novelist born in Wakayama City. Opened on June 5, 2022, the museum recreates the author's former home in Suginami, Tokyo, where she wrote many of her best-known works. Located near the Kinokawa River, the museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse ...»
Kitsumoto Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to Tajimamori, a legendary figure said to have brought tachibana, an ancient Japanese citrus fruit, to Japan. Because of this tradition, he has long been revered as the "deity of mikan" and the "deity of sweets." The shrine is also closely connected with the Kumano Kodo, the historic ...»
Kataonami Beach is a popular seaside destination in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, located in the scenic Wakaura area. This beautiful coastline has been celebrated since ancient times and is mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest surviving collection of poetry. With its combination of beautiful natural scenery and well-maintained facilities, Kataonami Beach is one of the most popular leis...»
Wakayama Marina City is a large man-made resort island located in Wakayama Bay in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Developed for the World Resort Expo held in 1994, it has grown into one of Wakayama's most popular destinations, bringing together entertainment, dining, hot springs, accommodation, and marine leisure in one convenient location. Surrounded by the sea, the resort offers a refreshin...»
Tamatsushima Shrine is one of Wakayama's most historic and culturally significant shrines. Located in Wakaura-Naka, Wakayama City, the shrine stands at the heart of Wakaura, a scenic coastal area that has captivated emperors, aristocrats, and poets since the age of the Man'yōshū, Japan's oldest major anthology of poetry. For centuries, Tamatsushima Shrine has been revered as a sacred place associ...»
Kurosawa Ranch & Kurosawa Highland is a beautiful highland recreation area located at an elevation of approximately 509 meters in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by wide open grasslands, fresh mountain air, and spectacular views, it is an ideal destination for visitors looking to relax in nature and enjoy a peaceful break from the city. The spacious ranch is home to cows that are...»
Kameike Pond is a large irrigation pond in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Today, the area around the pond has been developed into Kameike Park, a peaceful green space where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, walking, and the changing seasons. With its broad expanse of water and surrounding natural landscape, Kameike is a relaxing destination enjoyed by local residents as well as visitors. T...»
The Great Buddha Head at Muryokoji Temple is an exceptionally unusual Buddhist statue located within Muryokoji Temple, a Jodo Buddhist temple in Fukiage, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Unlike most Great Buddha statues, which are represented as complete figures, this remarkable statue consists only of a large bronze head. Standing approximately 3 meters tall, the enormous Buddha head has a st...»
Manyo Museum is a cultural facility dedicated to the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest known anthology of poetry. It is located within Kataonami Park in the scenic Wakaura area of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. With its beautiful coastline, pine forests, islands, mountains, and tidal flats, Wakaura has attracted travelers and poets since ancient times. Many poems inspired by the area's scenery are pr...»
Kasuga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Revered by local people for centuries, the shrine has played an important role in the religious and cultural life of the region. Its high status is reflected in the ancient Kii-no-Kuni Shimmeicho, a historical record of Shinto deities in the former Kii Province, where the shrine is referred to as “Shoichi-i Kasuga Okami...»
Kiiji is one of the principal routes of the Kumano Kodo, the network of ancient pilgrimage trails leading to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Known historically as “Kiji,” this route has been traveled for centuries by pilgrims and travelers journeying from the ancient capital toward the sacred lands of Kumano. The route traditionally began at Watanabe-no-Tsu, an important port on what is now th...»
Michi-no-Eki Kainan Sakuas is a roadside station located along National Route 42 in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Opened in 2023, it serves as an important tourism and community hub where visitors can discover the area's local food, products, culture, and attractions. As the first Michi-no-Eki in Kainan City, it has quickly become a popular stop for both travelers and local residents. The nam...»
Kada Kasuga Shrine stands in the scenic coastal district of Kada in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and the sea and overlooking the Kitan Strait, the shrine has been an important place of worship for the local community for centuries. Kada has long been a fishing community, and prayers for safe voyages, abundant catches, and protection at sea have traditionally been of...»
Tomogashima Lighthouse stands on Okinoshima, one of the islands that make up the Tomogashima island group off the coast of Kada in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located in the scenic waters of the Kitan Strait, the lighthouse is surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape of the Setonaikai National Park. Built in the early Meiji period, Tomogashima Lighthouse is one of Japan's earliest We...»
Kaizen-in Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Wakaura-naka, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The temple stands halfway up Imoseyama Island, a small island at the mouth of the Waka River in the scenic Wakaura area. The temple's most recognizable landmark is its elegant two-story pagoda-style structure known as a tahoto. Rising above the island's greenery with the sea beyond...»
Wakayama Prefecture Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine located within the grounds of Wakayama Castle in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by peaceful greenery, the shrine provides a solemn and tranquil setting where visitors can reflect on history and pay their respects. For travelers exploring Wakayama Castle, the shrine offers an opportunity to experience a different aspect of Japane...»
Hanayama Onsen is a famous hot spring in Narukami, Wakayama City, known among hot spring enthusiasts throughout Japan for its exceptionally rich and unusual mineral content. Although it is located close to the urban center of Wakayama, Hanayama Onsen offers an authentic natural hot spring experience. Its highly concentrated carbonated water has earned it a reputation as one of the most powerful n...»
Wakayama City Museum is a history museum located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The museum opened on November 1, 1985, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the construction of Wakayama Castle in 1585 and the beginning of Wakayama's development as a castle town. Since its opening, the museum has collected, preserved, researched, and introduced a wide range of materials related to the his...»
Kainan City is a charming coastal city in northern Wakayama Prefecture where history, traditional culture, and beautiful nature come together. Surrounded by the sea, mountains, and rivers, Kainan has developed as an important area along the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route and is also famous as one of Japan's leading production centers for Kishu lacquerware. Throughout the city, visitors can...»
Wakayama City Forest Park is a vast mountain park surrounded by the rich natural environment of Kada in Wakayama City. Its unique landscape, where dinosaur and animal sculptures stand among the trees, combines playful attractions with beautiful seasonal scenery. The park is popular with families and nature lovers, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including forest bathing, hiking,...»
A Traditional Local Dish Passed Down Through Generations Hayazushi is one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most representative traditional dishes. This regional specialty is a type of pressed sushi made with vinegared rice and fish. Today, the name “Hayazushi” most commonly refers to pressed sushi made with mackerel, and it remains a familiar part of everyday food culture for people in Wakayama. When pe...»
Wakanoura Onsen is a hot spring resort located in the southern part of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated in the historic scenic area of Wakanoura, the resort combines beautiful coastal scenery, traditional Japanese culture, and relaxing hot spring experiences. Wakanoura has been admired for centuries and was already celebrated as a place of natural beauty during Japan’s Man’yō era. Tod...»
Kokera-zushi is a traditional local dish that has been enjoyed in various parts of Wakayama Prefecture for generations. A type of pressed sushi, it is made by arranging grilled and flaked fish, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, egg, and other colorful ingredients over seasoned sushi rice and firmly pressing everything together in a wooden mold. With its beautiful appearance and rich combination of fla...»
Shoga Meshi is a traditional local dish from Wakayama Prefecture made by cooking rice with a generous amount of fresh ginger. The refreshing aroma and gentle spiciness of ginger give this simple rice dish its distinctive character. Shoga Meshi has long been enjoyed in local households, particularly during the warmer months. Its light and refreshing flavor makes it an appealing dish when the weath...»
Tomogashima Island is a group of uninhabited islands located in the Kitan Strait off Kada, northwest of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The island group consists of four islands: Okinoshima, Jinoshima, Torajima, and Kamijima. Today, Tomogashima is known for its rich natural environment as part of the Setonaikai National Park. However, the islands also have a fascinating military history. From...»
Wakayama History Museum is a comprehensive visitor information and cultural facility located within the grounds of Wakayama Castle. It introduces the history and culture of Wakayama Castle as well as notable historical figures and people connected with Wakayama City. Since opening in 2015, the museum has served as an important starting point for sightseeing in Wakayama. In addition to historical ...»
Burakuri Street Shopping District is a historic shopping area in the heart of Wakayama City. Located roughly between Wakayamashi Station and JR Wakayama Station, the district has long been one of the city's best-known commercial and entertainment areas. Today, Burakuri Street remains a place where local residents and visitors can experience the atmosphere of central Wakayama. With traditional sho...»
Kishu Kuroshio Onsen is a natural hot spring facility located within Wakayama Marina City in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Set beside the sea, the onsen offers visitors the chance to soak in warm, mineral-rich waters while enjoying beautiful views of Wakaura and the surrounding yacht harbor. With its combination of a scenic seaside setting, natural hot spring water, saunas, and relaxing bat...»
Saikazaki Battery Ruins are the remains of a coastal artillery battery built at the northern tip of Saikazaki in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The battery was constructed on a headland known as Tonga-no-Hana, which projects dramatically into the Kii Channel. Built during the final years of the Edo period, the battery was part of the Kishu Domain's coastal defense system. At a time when fore...»
Kada Awashima Onsen is a scenic hot spring area in Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along the Kitan Strait and Kada Bay, this seaside destination is known for its beautiful ocean views, gentle natural hot spring water, and spectacular sunsets. From many of the area's accommodations, visitors can look out across the sea toward Tomogashima and Awaji Island while relaxing in an outd...»
Iwase Senzuka Kofun Cluster is one of the largest and most important groups of ancient burial mounds in Japan. Located in Iwase, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, the site extends across a series of hills where approximately 1,000 kofun burial mounds were constructed from the early to the final stages of the Kofun period. Because of its outstanding historical and academic importance, the Iwase ...»
The Kamayama Kofun Group is a historically significant group of ancient burial mounds located at the southern foot of the Izumi Mountains in northern Wakayama Prefecture. Mainly constructed during the middle Kofun period, roughly from the 5th century onward, these burial mounds provide valuable clues about the society, political power, technology, and international connections of ancient Japan. T...»
Yanomiya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Deeply connected with the legends and history of the Kii region, the shrine has long been worshipped by local residents as a place of divine guidance, protection, and victory. The shrine is particularly associated with Yatagarasu, the sacred three-legged crow of Japanese mythology. Yatagarasu is traditionally regar...»
Fumori Shrine, also known as Seiten-gu, is a historic Shinto shrine located in Fucho, Wakayama City. The shrine has long been closely associated with the ancient Kii Province and the provincial government that once stood in this area. Fumori Shrine is traditionally regarded as a guardian shrine that protected the ancient provincial capital of Kii. There is also a theory that the shrine served as ...»
Sojiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kando, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Covering an extensive temple precinct, it belongs to the Seizan School of Pure Land Buddhism and is widely known as the main temple of Kando. Although the temple is surrounded by a quiet residential neighborhood, stepping through its gates reveals an impressive atmosphere shaped by centuries of histo...»
Hongwanji Sagimori Betsuin is an important temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha school of Buddhism, located in Saginomori, Wakayama City. Its head temple is Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, and the temple is traditionally known as Ryukokuzan. The principal object of worship is Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha). Locally, the temple has long been known by names such as Saginomori Gobo and Saika Gobo, refl...»
Muryokoji Temple is a historic Jodo Sect Buddhist temple in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Its mountain name is Rikuguzan, and its principal object of worship is Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha). Founded during the Edo period, the temple has a long history of Buddhist faith. Today, however, Muryokoji is particularly famous for its unusual Great Buddha Head, known in Japanese as the Kubi Daibut...»
Kataonami Park is a beautiful seaside park stretching along Wakaura Bay in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Developed on a long, narrow sandbar extending from the mouth of the Waka River toward the sea, the park stretches for more than 1 kilometer. The area has been celebrated for its scenic beauty since ancient times and appears in numerous poems in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest surviving anth...»
Soseikaku and Kameike Pond in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, offer a beautiful combination of historic architecture and tranquil natural scenery. Centered around an elegant traditional-style building from the early 20th century and a large historic irrigation pond, the area provides visitors with a peaceful place to relax while discovering an important part of Wakayama's cultural heritage. The...»
Zenrinji Temple is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon School of Buddhism located in Hatagawa, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Known locally as “Hatagawa no O-Yakushi-san”, or “the Yakushi Buddha of Hatagawa,” the temple has long been cherished by local residents as a place to pray for good health and recovery from illness. The temple's mountain name is Hatakawasan, and its principal objec...»
Geidojo Suwan Edo-mura is a unique sightseeing attraction in the Araki district of Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can experience the atmosphere of an Edo-period town while enjoying traditional popular theater. Centered around former Shochiku actors, the facility was created almost entirely by hand using reclaimed materials and other reused items. The handmade theater and townsca...»
Kada Niai is a traditional local dish from Kada, Wakayama City, in Wakayama Prefecture. Kada has long been known as a fishing village, particularly for its traditional single-line fishing for sea bream. Kada Niai is one of the fishermen's dishes that has been passed down in the community for generations. It is traditionally said to have already been eaten in the late Edo period, making it a dish ...»
Takanosu-yama Observatory is one of the finest viewpoints on Tomogashima, a group of islands off the coast of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The observatory is located near the summit of Mount Takanosu at an elevation of approximately 119.90 meters, making it one of the highest points on the island of Okinoshima. The summit is also home to the Tomogashima First-Order Triangulation Point, an ...»
Ameno-Mori Forest Park is a scenic natural park located at an elevation of approximately 450 meters in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by lush forest, the park has walking trails and rest areas where visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll and the refreshing atmosphere of the woodland....»