Area:
Travel Plans
View more-
- Enjoy historic townscapes and a coastal drive in Kichu
![Enjoy historic townscapes and a coastal drive in Kichu]()
- 1days
- The dynamic, pure nature and old townscapes of the Kichu area relaxes the mind. Spending one day driving along the coast in this area full of local specialties and history of Wakayama is recommended. You will be healed by the idyllic scenery as you enjoy the drive.
-
- Relaxing one-day road trip along the Nishimuro coastline
![Relaxing one-day road trip along the Nishimuro coastline]()
- 1days
- The Nishimuro area of Wakayama Prefecture is where nature and stylish spots unique to coastal areas coexist. This is a refreshing area along the Shirahama seaside. Enjoying a meal overlooking the sea is something special. Why not go on a care-free drive.
-
- Spiritual places with history and nature in Shingu
![Spiritual places with history and nature in Shingu]()
- 1days
- Shingu City, a city of Wakayama, which is blessed with nature, is located at the mouth of the Kumano River, and is a popular area with many sightseeing spots to experience nature and history combined, such as shrines registered as World Heritage Sites and spiritual places with extraordinary histories. Go on a one-day trip to feel recharged and get in touch with nature and culture.
- Create your own Travel Plan
Travel Guide
View more
Hotels / Ryokan and Places to Stay
Top Things to do
View more-
- Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine
-
![Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine]()
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouhongu
- This Shinto shrine is one of the Three Head Kumano Shrines which serve as the headquarters of all Kumano shrines nationwide. Known as the first stop on the penance-filled Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage, since ancient times this shrine has been visited by countless worshipers of the Kumano faith, which seeks to achieve self-enlightenment through penance. The main building was erected in the Asuka period and was relocated to its current location after being damaged in the Great Flood of 1889. After climbing 158 stone steps through a cedar forest, the shrine’s four hinoki bark-thatched buildings will appear, which enshrine Ketsumiko no okami and the shrine’s three other chief gods.
-
- Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine
-
![Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine]()
- Wakayama Pref. Shingushi Shingu 1
- One of the Three Head Kumano Shrines which serve as the headquarters of all Kumano shrines nationwide, rare and unusual festivals are held here, such as the Torch Festival, which involves men dressed in white garb carrying lit torches and racing down the shrine’s steep stone steps. A central location in the Kumano faith, which seeks to achieve self-enlightenment through penance conducted along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage, the shrine is dedicated to the god Kumano Hayatama. The shrine also worships Ketsumiko no okami and Fusumi no okami, and houses and displays some 1,200 ancient treasures, including designated National Treasures. A great nagi tree over 1,000 years old spreads its branches over the grounds, and the shrine’s charms for providing luck with love and marriage are made with nagi seeds.
-
- Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine
-
![Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine]()
- Wakayama Pref. Higashimurogunnachikatsurachou Nachisan 1
- One of the Three Head Kumano Shrines which serve as the headquarters of all Kumano shrines nationwide. Unlike the other two, however, the origin of this shrine lies in a primeval faith which sees the Nachi Falls deep in the mountains as sacred. At the affiliated Hiro-jinja Shrine, the falls themselves are worshipped, and since ancient times this shrine has been visited by numerous faithful and other visitors asking for a long life. Visitors can drink the water at the falls’ basin from a platform directly in front of the falls; the water is said to give longevity. The shrine’s grounds contain six vermillion lacquered buildings such as the main nave, hall of worship, and treasure house, as well as numerous other points of note such as the Stone of the Yatagarasu (a mythical three-legged crow), and a massive 850-year-old tree planted by the noble Taira no Shigemori.
-
- Nachi Waterfall (Hiro Jinja Shrine)
-
![Nachi Waterfall (Hiro Jinja Shrine)]()
- Wakayama Pref. Higashimurogunnachikatsurachou Nachisan
- This betsugu (associated shrine) of Kumano Nachi Taisha honors the deity of the Nachi-no-Taki waterfall. Boasting Japan’s largest uninterrupted drop of 133 meters, the waterfall is 13 meters wide and has a plunge basin with a depth of 10 meters. It is lit up a night during New Year’s Eve and is one of Japan’s top three waterfalls. Close to the waterfall is a viewing area where visitors can drink water from the plunge basin which is said to be water for longevity.
-
- Kawayu Hot Spring Sennin-buro River Bath
-
![Kawayu Hot Spring Sennin-buro River Bath]()
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoukawayu
- This large open-air bath is formed by the mixing of the waters of the Oto River, a tributary of the Kumano River, with an over 70-degree hot spring continuously welling forth from the riverbed. Only usable from December until the end of February, the bath is familiar to many Japanese as a poetic image of winter. Bathing is free but mixed sex; accordingly, unlike most hot spring baths in Japan, it is acceptable to wear a bathing suit. On clear days, visitors can enjoy the sun or a star-filled sky during their bath, giving you an unprecedented sense of freedom and openness. Note that the bath may not be available for use due to weather or water levels.
-
- Watarase Onsen Dairotenburo large open-air bath
-
![Watarase Onsen Dairotenburo large open-air bath]()
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouwataze 45-1
- The largest open-air bath in Western Japan, situated on the grounds of a large hot spring inn. Non-guests can also enjoy a day trip of bathing in the inn’s baths. This natural hot spring bath is continuously filled from a hot spring source famed for its beautifying properties. In addition to the open-air bath, the inn’s popular reservable private open-air bath for families is also usable by non-guests. In the dining hall adjoining the open-air bath, visitors can enjoy mehari-zushi, a Kumano specialty of rice balls wrapped in mustard leaves, as well as onsen rice porridge.
-
- Shirarahama Beach
-
![Shirarahama Beach]()
- Wakayama Pref. Nishimurogunshirahamachou
- A beautiful swimming beach considered one of the best of the Kinki region whose white sands stretch for 640 meters. Generally opened to the public around May 3 each year, the earliest on the main island of Honshu, the beach is popular for its equatorial beach resort-like atmosphere. In addition, Shirasuna, a large, pool-like mixed sex open-air bath (bathing suit required) is open year-round and can be used as a foot bath in winter.
-
- Senjojiki
-
![Senjojiki]()
- Wakayama Pref. Nishimurogunshirahamachou
- Facing the ocean from the tip of Setozaki Cape, Senjojiki is a vast bedrock formation that looks as though countless tatami mats were spread out along the shore. The formation is composed of soft white sandstone, and the magnificent scenery formed by waves hitting the shore over many years is truly overwhelming. This is also a popular spot to watch the sunset.
-
- Sandanbeki
-
![Sandanbeki]()
- Wakayama Pref. Nishimurogunshirahamachou
- Extending out for about two kilometers, Sandanbeki features 50-meter tall large rock walls comprised of columnar joints and is a Place of Scenic Beauty for its precipitous cliffs. On top of the cliffs is a viewing platform which allows visitors to gaze out at the scenery of the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Also close to the viewing platform is a cave that, according to legend, is where Kumano pirates (and later Kumano navy members) hid their boats during the Genji and Heike battle. Inside the cave is Japan’s largest bronze statue of the goddess Benzaiten, and it is possible to ride an elevator down into the cave from the top of the cliffs.
