Nature Spots in Wakayama Area
Area
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Wakayama
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Wakayama
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- Tamagawa-kyo Gorge
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Hashimotoshi Kitayadori
- "This gorge is located upstream on the Nyu River at the foot of Mt. Koya. It is a scenic spot where there are a series of spectacular rock formations called the ""48 rocks of Tamagawa"" including such as Kameiwa (turtle rock) and Sarutobiiwa (flying monkey rock), as well as waterfalls such as Goko Falls and Shiraito Falls. The area is covered with forests and you can enjoy the scenery throughout the four seasons. It is popular for its hiking course and as a campsite with cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in the spring, dipping in and fishing in the clear streams where there are sweetfish and fireflies in the summer, and the colorful autumn leaves of trees such as maple and Japanese sumac in the autumn. A fishing ticket is required when fishing for sweetfish or dwarf rill trout."
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- Sai no Narutaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunhidakagawachou Takatsuo
- "These rapids is located on the Hidaka River. While called a waterfall, there is almost no falling waterfall, instead this section of the river consists of a series of beautiful rock formations and countless boulders standing amidst raging rapids. There is an open space along the Hidaka River where you can see Sai-no-Narutaki Falls, and there is an explanatory board with excerpts of the original text of the novel ""The River Hidaka"" by Sawako Ariyoshi, a Japanese literary writer from Wakayama Prefecture. It is known as a dangerous spot for rafting that was popular for transporting wood downstream. There is a suspension bridge nearby from where you can see the raging river below."
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- Totsui Limestone Cave
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Hidaka-gun Yuracho Totsui 646
- This small limestone cave is located in Totsui, Yura Town, Hidaka County. Approximately 100 meters long, it was formed more than 250 million years ago. It is open to the public on weekends and holidays and during long vacations of local elementary and junior high schools. Visitors can view stalactites inside a cool environment that stays around 15 degrees Celsius all year.
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- Eight Beautiful Views of Susami Koibitomisaki (Lover's Waves)
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Mirozu 2-1
- "An eight-minute drive from JR Susami Station. This peninsula is one of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami, and here visitors can watch as the ocean crashes into and is split into two by Okanokuroshima, them comes together again beyond it. One of the most picturesque destinations on the Kareki Sea, the waves are also known as the ""Husband and Wife Waves."" The area has also been selected for inclusion in a list of the 100 best sunrises and sunsets in Wakayama. On the west side of Okinokuroshima, there is a cave which continues under the sea, and scuba diving can be enjoyed in the area from March to the end of April, and from late June to the end of October. According to legend, the treasure of the Kumano Navy is hidden in the cave."
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- Eight Beautiful Views of Susami Esuzaki Cape
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Esumi
- A five-minute drive from Roadside Statin Susami off of the Susami-Minami Interchange on the Kisei Expressway. One of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami and also a designated Geosite, this island, connected to the mainland via a strip of land, juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Two kilometers in circumference, it is densely covered with woodland elaeocarpus, yew plum pine, ubame oak, and other subtropical trees and plants and has been designated a National Natural Monument. The entire island is also a sacred precinct of Kasuga Shrine. The Children's Song Park, which is dotted with statues depicting characters from nursery rhymes connected to Wakayama, is situated in front of the island.
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- Eight Beautiful Views of Susami Kotono-taki Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Susami
- A 10-minute drive from JR Susami Station and one kilometer from the parking area of Kotonotakiso via the Hirose Valley Trail, which starts at the rear of the parking area. One of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami, this waterfall is the furthest upstream of the more than 10 waterfalls in the Hirose Valley, which lies along a tributary of the Susami River. The valley has been designated a Nature Conservation Area by Wakayama Prefecture and the plants and animals found here are protected. The waterfall area is a great place to bathe in beautifying negative ions and enjoy an invigorating nature walk. A site where a Warring States period military commander once hid from enemies is also located further upstream from the falls.
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- Eight Beautiful Views of Susami Shizukuno-taki Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Okauchi
- A 20-minute drive from JR Susami Station on Prefectural Route 38. One of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami, this beautiful two-tier waterfall is 30 meters tall and lies along the main course of the Susami River. An abundant amount of water flows down the falls; the upper tier is broad and the water here veritably glides down the rock wall, while the water of the lower tier drops heartily into the plunge basin. Many people come here seeking to escape the heat in summer; many people enjoying fishing for sweetfish, Amago trout, and other river fish can also be seen in the area. The area's fresh verdure in early summer, and autumn foliage in fall are particularly stunning. A walking path leads down to the falls, making it easy for visitors to take in its natural beauty up close.
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- Oka-no-Kuroshima Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Mirozu
- "This small island can be seen right in front of Lover's Cape, known as one of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami. Here visitors can view a spectacular natural phenomenon in which ocean waves, divided in two by the island, come crashing together again on the other side as they flow in towards Lover's Cape. Called the ""Worshipping Waves"" and the ""Husband and Wife Waves,"" this spectacular sight is one of the Kareki Sea's most beautiful and most well-known."
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- Oki-no-Kuroshima Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Susami Cho Mirozu
- This small island is situated southwest of Lover's Cape, one of the Eight Beautiful Views of Susami. The island has a cave which continues under the sea, and from March to the end of April, and from late June to the end of October, scuba diving can be enjoyed here. Records state the island once served as a base for the Kumano Navy and legend has it that the navy's treasure is hidden somewhere on or under the island.
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- Wave ripple marks of Shirahama
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Nishimuro-gun Shirahamacho
- "20 minutes from the Nanki-Shirahama Interchange on the Kisei Expressway via Prefectural Route 34. These fossil wave ripple marks can be seen along the coast from Ezura Beach to Sakata in Shirahama Town. The marks were formed by the action of waves on sand on what was once the sea floor, which then became coated with a clay-like material that later fossilized, preserving them for eternity. The marks are called ""fossive wave"" and believed to have been formed in the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era some 15 million years ago, and today they have been designated a National Natural Monument."
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- Hiki Iwagun
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Tanabe-shi Inaricho
- "10 minutes from the Nanki-Tanabe Interchange on the Haniwa Expressway via National Route 42. This group of beautiful rock formations is situated along the upper reaches of the Inari River and the area has been designated a nature park by the prefecture. The name for the formations literally means ""Toad Rock Group"" and is derived from their resemblance to a group of toads looking up at the sky. The area around Iwaguchi Pond is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring, and walking paths in the area make it a perfect destination for nature walks and hiking. Numerous rare plants also grow in the area, and author and scientist Minakata Kumagusu is known to have frequently come here to gather specimens."
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- Mandarano-taki Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Tanabe-shi Ryujinmura Ryujin
- "This waterfall is situated in the mountains of the Onsen-ji Temple in Ryujin-mura Ryujin, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Moss grows around the falls and its green color contrasts with the white water of the falls produced as it is stirred into a froth by the black, rocky protuberances which grow in number as the falls descend. The waterfall famously appears in novelist Kaizan Nakazato's premier work ""Dai-bosatsu toge"" and is also known to have been used for ascetic training by the great monk Kobo Daishi."
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- BotanIwa
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Kozagawa Cho Tsukinose
- "This intriguing rock formation is located southeast of the Kozagawa Dike, a 22-kilometer-long stretch of the 56-kilometer-long Kozagawa River formed via ancient volcanic activity. The rock surface, carved out by the actions of the wind over eons, is covered in holes, and small mounds of various sizes can be seen rising up within these same holes. The name of the formation literally means ""Tree Peony Rock"" and is derived from the resemblance of these holes and mounds to tree peonies. According to local legend, a great snake lived on the opposite shore, and in order to pass by the rock formation without being attacked by the snake, one would have to cough and clear one's throat before walking by."
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- Tenchugan
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Kozagawa Cho Kurozu
- This rock formation is located just on the west side of the Ichimai-iwa Monolith, one of the most famous sights along the Kozagawa Dike, a 22-kilometer-long stretch of the 56-kilometer-long Kozagawa River which was formed via ancient volcanic activity. Sticking out like a peninsula among the mountains, seen from below, the stunning rock formation exudes a majestic air. Amidst greenery-covered mountains, this chunk of rock, although bearing trees in some places, is largely uncovered stone, and its spectacular form, thrusting towards the heavens, impresses upon viewers the power of nature.
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- IimoriIwa
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Kozagawacho
- "This rock formation is located east of the Ichimai-iwa Monolith, one of the most famous sights along the Kozagawa Dike, a 22-kilometer-long stretch of the 56-kilometer-long Kozagawa River which was formed via ancient volcanic activity. The formation can just be seen amidst the mountains from the Tachiai Bridge along National Route 371. Its name literally means ""Rice Mound Rock"" and is derived from its resemblance to a heaping mound of cooked rice. Be sure to check it out along with the numerous other sightseeing destinations along the Kozagawa River."
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- Cape Tomyozaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Taijicho Taiji
- "This cape is located a 10-minute walk from a bus stop on a line leaving from JR Taiji Station and is situated on the eastern tip of Taiji Town. Originally called Murozaki and then later Taijizaki, it eventually came to be called its current name, which literally translates to ""Cape Votive Light,"" after a lighthouse was built on it to station samurai warriors. Historic sites in the area include the reconstructed lighthouse, Yamamidai whaling office, and the site of a facility once used to prepare whale carcasses. There is also a hiking trail which connects to Kajitorizaki Cape. From the cape, visitors can take in a sweeping view of the Kumano Sea and also visit the nearby Taiji Fishing Port, Taiji Whale Museum, and Kujirahama Beach."
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- Cape Kajitorizaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Taijicho Taiji
- "This cape is located a 21-minute bus ride from JR Taiji Station and can be seen by heading south along the coast from Tomyozaki on the eastern tip of Taiji Town. The cape's name literally means ""Steering Cape"" and is derived from the fact that boats plying the Kumano Sea would use the cape as a guidepost. The site of a beacon, which was also used as a whale spotting site for ancient whaling on the cape, offers a sweeping view of the area. A large grass lawn park sprawls in front of the cape's lighthouse. Other area highlights include a pair of ""husband and wife"" Chinese junipers estimated to be over 350 years old; a memorial honoring the whales which were hunted; and the Naruko-iwa rock, which makes a distinctive sound when struck."
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- Butsubutsu-gawa River
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Nachikatsuuracho Konoshiro
- "A 30-minute walk from JR Shimosato Station. Located near the Konoshiro bus stop, this Class B river is believed to be the shortest river in Japan. A tributary which flows into the Konoshiro River in Konoshiro Town, the river is just one-meter-wide at its widest and is also just 13.5-meters-long. This, in turn, makes it incredibly easy to take in the entire river. ""Butsubutsu,"" which is a corruption of ""futsufutsu,"" the Japanese term for ""bubbling,"" which was how the bubbling river was originally described since the river flows from the spring."
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- Shingu Inosawa Ukishima Shokubutsu Gunraku (Ukishima-no Mori Island)
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Shingushi Ukijima 3-38
- This is a fantastical forest on a 5,000 square meter isle. Made up completely of peat moss, the isle floats atop the water. Over 130 varieties of indigenous flora, including prairie sphagnum and cinnamon ferns thrive here. Selected as a national natural monument in 1927, One can stroll in and around the island boardwalks.
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- Minabe-bairin Ume Orchard Grove (Ume Blossom)
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunminabechou Oshine
- This plum grove, boasting the largest acreage in Japan, began in the Edo period when the regional Kishu-Tanabe clan encouraged plum cultivation. Every year during the bloom season, the hills are covered in beautiful soft white flowers and a sweet scent fills the air. Extolled as “offering a view of a million plum trees, and producing an aroma that fills the air for miles,” this view of plum blossoms carpeting rolling hills attracts many visitors every year. Rice cake making, plum seed blowing contests and yosakoi dance festivities and many other events are held annually around the peak blooming season.
Wakayama Areas
Wakayama prefecture unites pilgrims, food lovers, and culture buffs in a tranquil corner of Japan at the base of the Kii Peninsula. The setting for many a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, Wakayama invites those in search of spirituality from one side of the prefecture to the other, from the 100-plus Buddhist temples of the sacred Mount Koya in the west to the inspiring temples of the Kumano Sanzan set among breathtaking nature in the east. Once the grueling hike is complete, make a beeline for Wakayama city to savor some of the country’s most delicious ramen noodles.
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