Wakayama

Wakayama, the capital of Wakayama Prefecture, lies between the Kino River and the Pacific coast on Japan’s Kii Peninsula. Wakayama Castle, rebuilt after World War II, rises from Mount Torafusu with stone walls and pine gardens. Cedar-covered slopes around Mount Koya hold Buddhist temples like Kongobuji, and coastal routes lead to Shirahama’s white beaches. Over 70% of Japan’s umeboshi pickled plums come from here, and drivers can hear musical notes on the Melody Road near Michi-no-Eki Kainan. Direct buses connect the city to Osaka, and hiking trails pass through UNESCO-listed shrines like Nachi Taisha.

Wakayama Castle and Nishinomaru Garden

Wakayama Castle was reconstructed in 1958 after wartime bombing destroyed its original 16th-century structure. Inside the main tower, you’ll find exhibits of samurai swords and armor, along with views of the city and Wakayama Bay from the sixth-floor observation deck. The surrounding Nishinomaru Garden includes a teahouse by a pond shaped like the character for “heart,” framed by cherry trees that turn pink in late March. Walk across the Ohashi Roka bridge, designed with weak joints to collapse under enemy weight, and note the intact 17th-century stone walls along the slopes. Admission to the castle costs 410 yen, with combined tickets for the garden available.

Kimiidera Temple and Wakanoura Bay

Climb 231 stone steps to reach Kimiidera Temple, established in the 8th century. The temple displays its wooden Kannon statue, carved by monk Tokudo Shonin, to the public every 50 years (next viewing in 2033). From the observation platform, look over Wakanoura Bay’s islands and tidal flats, a scene praised in classical poetry. Plum trees in the temple’s garden bloom in February, earlier than most cherry blossoms in the area. In October, evening fire festivals light the hillside with torches carried by monks and locals.

Mount Koya’s Temples and Lodgings

Monk Kukai founded Mount Koya in 816 as the center of Shingon Buddhism. Over 100 temples operate here, including Kongobuji with its 2,340-square-meter rock garden and Okunoin cemetery, where moss covers centuries-old graves beneath cedar trees. Some temples let visitors stay overnight, serving shojin ryori meals made without meat or fish. The Danjo Garan complex houses the bright red Konpon Daito Pagoda, topped with a bronze spire. Hikers follow the Choishi-michi trail’s stone markers for 24 kilometers from Kudoyama Station to the mountaintop.

Kumano Kodo Hiking Routes

The Kumano Kodo trails link three major shrines: Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha. The Nakahechi route, once walked by emperors, goes through villages like Chikatsuyu, where family-run guesthouses serve locally caught fish. Look for small oji shrines along the path, which provided rest for pilgrims during the Edo period. At Nachi Taisha, walk 10 minutes to Nachi Falls, a 133-meter waterfall considered sacred. Trails intersect with hot spring towns such as Yunomine, where you can soak in a World Heritage-listed bath.

Shirahama’s Beaches and Cliffs

Shirahama Beach stretches 650 meters with white sand washed by clear Pacific waters. Swim in marked areas during summer or explore Senjojiki, a flat rock shelf carved by waves over centuries. Take an elevator down Sandanbeki Cliff to see caves once used by feudal-era pirates. Nearby onsen baths like Shirahama Sakino-yu pump mineral-rich water from deep underground, with some pools built directly over the ocean. Boat tours from the marina pass Engetsuto Island, a natural arch lit by sunset.

Fruit Orchards and Local Products

Northwest of Wakayama, Arida City grows mandarins on sunlit terraces developed during the Edo period. Orchards let visitors pick mikans from October to December, with varieties ranging from tart early-season fruit to seedless Dekopon. In June, farmers dry umeboshi plums on wooden racks before pickling them with salt and red shiso leaves. At the Kishu Umeboshi Kaikan in Minabe, you can make your own plum vinegar or sample mikan-flavored soft serve. Look for citrus jams and plum-based condiments at roadside markets.

Kuroshio Market and Tuna Shows

At Kuroshio Market in Wakayama Marina City, watch chefs slice 100-kilogram tuna with specialized knives during daily 11:00 and 12:30 demonstrations. Buy fresh sashimi bowls topped with cuts like otoro (fatty belly) or akami (lean back meat). Stalls sell dried persimmons, soy sauce aged in cedar barrels, and skipjack tuna flakes. Outside, Porto Europa recreates Mediterranean villages with replica Spanish plazas and Venetian gondola rides. Join a short boat tour to feed yellowtail fish at offshore farms.

Visiting Tips and Transportation

Visit in late March for cherry blossoms at Wakayama Castle or November for autumn colors on Mount Koya. Buses from Kansai Airport reach Wakayama Station in 40 minutes, while JR trains from Osaka’s Namba Station take 90 minutes. The Kansai Wide Area Pass covers JR trains to Wakayama, including limited express services. Rent bicycles in Shirahama to follow the coastal path from Sandanbeki Cliffs to the onsen district. Pick up English maps at the tourist center near Wakayama Castle’s main gate.