Miwasaki is a historic port district in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, facing the Kumano Sea on the southern Kii Peninsula. Blessed with a mild climate and abundant marine resources, the area has long developed as a community closely connected with fishing and the sea.
Fishing boats can still be seen gathered at Miwasaki Fishing Port, offering a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of a coastal community in Kumano. The area is also known for its history of traditional whaling, which once brought considerable prosperity to the town.
Today, traces of this maritime heritage can be found throughout Miwasaki, from historic buildings and traditional performing arts to stone monuments associated with whaling. The nearby islands of Kushima and Suzushima also offer fascinating geological and botanical landscapes.
One of the most distinctive buildings in the historic townscape is the Miwasaki Youth Hall.
Built in 1927, the building stands along a central street just inland from Miwasaki Fishing Port. Before the hall was constructed, the local youth association held its activities in rented private homes. A local benefactor, Inazo Doi, provided land for the construction of a dedicated community hall.
From then on, the building served not only as a meeting place for the youth association but also as an important community facility for local residents.
Until around 1978, it was used for a variety of public activities, including voting during elections, health examinations, and vaccination programs. Performances, abacus classes, and other activities were also held there, giving the building a role similar to that of a community center.
Today, it continues to serve the local community as a practice space for traditional performing arts, including the Miwasaki Kujira Odori, or Miwasaki Whale Dance, and the Miwasaki Shishimai, a traditional lion dance.
The Miwasaki Youth Hall is a wooden single-story building with a partially two-story section. Its exterior incorporates elements of Western-style architecture, while a distinctive sunrise motif is carved in relief above the entrance.
The building also features projecting wings on either side, giving it a distinctive appearance that has made it a familiar landmark in Miwasaki.
Inside, the high ceiling creates a spacious atmosphere. A large hall occupies much of the building, with a stage on the northern side that was traditionally used for theatrical performances and community events.
The second floor includes rooms resembling traditional sajiki gallery seating, allowing spectators to look down over the main hall.
Interestingly, the Western-style exterior contrasts with the Japanese-style interior, which incorporates shinkabe exposed-post construction and plaster finishes. This combination of Japanese and Western design makes the building a valuable example of early modern community architecture.
Near the Miwasaki Youth Hall stands another historic building, Omaeya Ryokan.
Built in 1903, the former inn is an example of modern traditional Japanese architecture. It continued operating as a ryokan until around the late 1980s.
The two-story wooden building features an irimoya-style roof covered with traditional tiles. Its first floor has projecting lattice windows, while the second floor features windows with traditional balustrades.
The interior was organized around a central corridor, with guest rooms arranged to take advantage of views toward the sea and the surrounding streets. Verandas and projecting windows provided guests with opportunities to enjoy the scenery of the port town.
The building is now used as a private residence, but much of its historic appearance remains. It continues to contribute to the traditional streetscape of Miwasaki.
Miwasaki has a long history as a community associated with whaling. Although the nearby town of Taiji is more widely known for its whaling heritage, Miwasaki was also an important whaling port and once prospered through the industry.
Historical records indicate that fishermen from Miwasaki were already engaged in whaling around the waters of Kyushu and the Goto Islands during the early Edo period.
In 1677, the local lord, the Mizuno clan, established a whaling administrative office, marking the beginning of more organized whaling activities in the area.
The local whaling groups were known as the Miwasaki-gumi and Shingu-gumi. They primarily hunted smaller species of whales, and the industry brought considerable activity and prosperity to the port.
Whaling is no longer practiced in Miwasaki, but its cultural legacy continues through festivals, traditional performing arts, monuments, and historic sites.
The town’s whaling heritage is also recognized as part of the Japan Heritage story “Living with Whales”.
One of the most distinctive expressions of Miwasaki’s maritime heritage is the Miwasaki Kujira Odori, or Miwasaki Whale Dance.
The dance is performed every September during the annual festival of Miwasaki Hachiman Shrine. According to tradition, the performance was developed around 300 years ago when the local lord, the Mizuno clan, presented whale meat to members of the Kyoto court.
The dance represents the process of hunting whales and is believed to have originated from celebrations held on the beach after a successful catch.
Dancers wear traditional costumes and carry fans while wearing ayabo, wooden poles representing harpoons, at their waists. Their movements recreate the energy and drama of traditional whaling.
The performance includes a style known as Denchu Odori, which represents the process of surrounding a whale with nets, and Ayadori, in which dancers remain seated while symbolically portraying the act of harpooning.
The colorful costumes are another highlight. Their designs represent elements of the local landscape, including a red sea bream, a black whale, and green land.
The Miwasaki Whale Dance is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture and is also recognized as a component of the Japan Heritage story “Living with Whales.”
Performed against the backdrop of the Kumano Sea, the dance is a powerful reminder of the deep relationship between Miwasaki and the ocean.
The Miwasaki Fishing Port Community Facility provides a convenient place for visitors to stop while exploring the waterfront.
The facility has changing rooms and showers, making it useful for people enjoying the nearby coast or spending time around the fishing port.
Another popular feature is a free foot bath using natural hot spring water. Sitting in the warm water while looking out toward the Kumano Sea is a relaxing way to recover after sightseeing.
Beyond Miwasaki Fishing Port are the scenic islands of Kushima and Suzushima, known for their unusual rock formations and rich natural environment.
The two islands are recognized as geosites within the Nanki Kumano Geopark, where visitors can observe geological formations created over vast periods of time.
Despite being called islands, they can be reached on foot via the breakwater. Suzushima is approximately a five-minute walk from the fishing port, and visitors can continue on foot from there toward Kushima.
Kushima is home to more than 120 species of warm-climate plants, including the hamayuu, or crinum lily, which is the official flower of Shingu City.
Suzushima also supports more than 60 species of plants, creating a rich coastal ecosystem.
On Kushima, Itsukushima Shrine preserves stone monuments and stone lanterns associated with traditional whaling. These structures provide a tangible connection to the maritime history of the area.
Suzushima offers an opportunity to observe striking geological features created by tectonic activity.
Layers of rock can be seen standing almost vertically, revealing how powerful movements of the Earth’s crust have folded, uplifted, and transformed the landscape over geological time.
For visitors interested in geology and nature, the islands provide a fascinating opportunity to see evidence of Earth’s long history directly in the landscape.
Miwasaki is a port town where the history of the sea remains an important part of everyday life.
Its story encompasses traditional whaling, fishing, historic architecture, local festivals, traditional performing arts, and spectacular coastal landscapes.
Walking through the town, visitors can still sense the quiet atmosphere of an old fishing community, while historic buildings and cultural traditions reveal how generations of residents have preserved their connection with the ocean.
The area is particularly rewarding when combined with sightseeing in Shingu and exploring the wider Kumano region. A visit to Miwasaki provides a different perspective on Kumano, showing not only its famous religious heritage but also the lives and livelihoods of communities that have depended on the sea.
From the historic Miwasaki Youth Hall and former Omaeya Ryokan to the powerful Whale Dance and the dramatic geological landscapes of Kushima and Suzushima, Miwasaki offers an engaging combination of history, culture, nature, and maritime heritage.
For travelers looking to discover a quieter and more authentic side of southern Wakayama, Miwasaki is a fascinating place to experience the enduring relationship between the people of Kumano and the sea.