Wakayama Prefecture is a secret area for visitors to Japan. There are places such as Mount Koya and Kumano Grand Shrine. Beautiful nature such as temples and shrines that are historically important to Japan, Kumano Kodo and Shirarahama Beach are preserved. Here are some places to visit when visiting Wakayama Prefecture.
Three Beautiful Nature Scenes Great for Photographing
1. Nachi Falls
Famous as the best waterfall in Japan. The drop is 133 meters, 13 meters wide, and the depth of the waterfall is 10 meters. The waterfall itself is revered as the body of the Hirou Shrine, and every year, in July and December, there is an event to replace the Shimenawa rope. There is a cobblestone road leading to the waterfall, which is called the "Kamakura stone stairs".
Spot Information
- Name: Nachi Falls
- Address: Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama 〒649-5301
- Access: About 30 minutes by bus from JR Kisei Main Line Kii-Katsuura station, about 5 minutes on foot from “Nachi no Takimae” stop
- Time: 7:00 - 16:30
- Price: 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary / junior high students
- Credit Card: Not accepted
- Wi-Fi: Not available
2. Kumano Kodo
Kumano Kodo is one of Japan's three major old roads. The sacred place Mount Nachi is followed by a stone pavement with a total length of about 600 meters and a height difference of about 100 meters. The mossy stone steps and the cedar trees are reasons to visit, even if you are not going on the pilgrimage.
Spot Information
- Name: Kumano Kodo Daimonzaka
- Address: Nachiyama, Nachi Katsuura Town, Higashinada-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 649-5301
- Access: About 20 minutes by local bus from “Kii-Katsuura” station on the JR Kisei Main Line, a short walk from “Daimonzaka” stop
- Time: None in particular
- Price: None
- Credit Card: Not accepted
- Wi-Fi: Not available
3. Shirahama Beach
A 640-meter long beach that has a friendly sister relationship with Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. The origin of the name is that the sand is pure white. Not only in summer, but also in winter, a “white sand promenade” with fantastic illuminations appears.
Spot Information
- Name: Shirarahama Beach
- Address: 864 Shirahamacho, Wakayama
- Access: 15 minutes by bus from Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Main Line, get off at Shirahama Station
- Time: Usually from July 1 to August 31 9:00 to 17:00
Three Temples and Shrines full of Special Buildings
Kumano Nachi Taisha
One of the three mountains of Kumano that sits on the mountainside of Nachikatsuura-cho. The shrine is surrounded by a deep green forest, and the contrast with the calm vermilion shrine is breathtaking beauty. The grounds are sacred and enshrined as the main festival god Kumano Fusumi no Okami, also known as Izanami no Mikoto. There is also a Miata Hikosha that worships Yatagarasu, which has three legs, which is also a symbol of the Japan Football Association.
Spot Information
- Name: Kumano Nachi Taisha
- Address: Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by bus from JR Kisei Main Line Kii-Katsuura station, get off at Nachiyama stop
- Time: 6:00 - 16:30
- Price: None
- Credit Card: Not accepted
- Wi-Fi: Not available
Mount Koya
Mt. Koya spread over the Sanjo Basin, about 900 meters high. It is a holy place where Kobo Daishi and Kukai opened the Shingon Esoteric Dojo. Since then, it has been a learning place for monks to practice and gathers the faith of many people. Kongobuji Temple is a must-see temple.
Spot Information
- Name: Mount Koya
- Address: 132 Koyasan, Koyacho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
- Access: Get off at Gokurakubashi station on Nankai Dentetsu Railway Koya Line, and go to Koyasan station by Nankai Koyasan cable
- Time: Kongobuji Temple 8:30 - 17:00 (reception is until 16:30)
- Fee: Kongobuji Temple: General 500 yen, elementary school students 200 yen, preschoolers free
- Credit Card: Not accepted
- Wi-Fi: Not available
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Kumano Shrine is the main shrine of Kumano Shrine, which is one of the three Mountain of Kumano that sits in the town of Shingu City. Nagi, which is a sacred tree near 1,000 years old, is about 18 meters in height, being the largest in Japan. Since ancient times, the leaves have been regarded as charms for matchmaking and amulets.
Spot Information
- Name: Kumano Hayatama Taisha
- Address: 1 Shingu, Shingu-shi, Wakayama
- Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Shingu Station
- Time: 8:00 - 17:00
- Fee: Kongobuji Temple: General 500 yen, elementary school student 200 yen, preschoolers free
- Credit Card: Not accepted
- Wi-Fi: Not available
Staying at Hotels in Shirahama Onsen
It is an onsen area where resort and hot spring resort where many hotels and inns are located. Together with Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture and Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture, it is considered one of the “Japan Sankoto”. The feature is that you can enjoy the sea and hot springs together.
Spot Information
- Name: Shirahama Onsen
- Address: 1384-57 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama
- Access: 2 hours 50 minutes from Kyoto and 2 hours 15 minutes from Shin-Osaka by JR Kuroshio
Shopping at Wakayama Marina City
The Kuroshio Market is very popular with visitors to Japan. The secret is that a tuna dismantling show can be seen and fresh tuna can be eaten at a reasonable price. There is also a souvenir corner where you can find special products from Wakayama, such as plum pickles, soy sauce, and local sake.
In Wakayama Marina City, there is Porto Europe where you can stroll through the streets of Europe while staying in Japan, and hotels with ocean view rooms.
Spot Information
- Name: Wakayama Marina City
- Address: 1527 Kemi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama 〒641-0014
- Access: 30 minutes by bus from JR Wakayama Station, 30 minutes by bus from Nankai Wakayamashi Station, or 15 minutes by bus from JR Kainan Station *Get off at Marina City
- Time: 10:00 - 18:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
- Language: English and Chinese
- Credit Card: Available
- Wi-Fi: Not available
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