Nature Spots in Kainan / Arita / Minabe / Tanabe Area
Area
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Wakayama
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Wakayama
Category
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- Cape Tenjinzaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Tenjinzaki
- This cape, jutting into the north side of the Tanabe Bay, is formed of the 20 hectares of coastal woods and 21 hectares of rocky reef. Comprising a unique eco-system of forest, rocky beach and ocean, both sea and land flora and fauna are squeezed into this strip of land. Due to Japan’s black current, this cape maintains a year round mild climate, making it a prime location for studying and enjoying the plant and animal life common to the southern hemisphere. Quickly gaining notoriety through national trust movements, the cape has come to be endeared also for its beautiful sunsets that can be seen painting the horizon.
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- Oishi-kogen Highland
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Kaisougunkiminochou Nakada
- This highland area is spread between the towns of Aritagawa and Kimino. Surrounding the primary Oishigamine peak, elevation 870 meters, are pampas grasses inviting many visitors in early spring and during the autumn pampas grass season. The grasses are photogenic especially in the autumn dusk glow where they appear like shining gold. From the pinnacle, one can see the Izumi Mountain Range to the North, and Mt. Gomadan and other crests of inner Koya to the east. At night, one can even capture the star filled sky with the town lights in the backdrop. Because Koya can be reached by car, this is a spot that even a novice photographer feels like a professional.
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- Enjugahama Beach
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama prefecture Hidaka gun Mihama cho
- Enjugahama Beach is a crescent-shaped beach 4.6 kilometers long and 500 meters wide between the mouth of the Hidakagawa River and Cape Hino-misaki. The first feudal lord of Kii Province, Tokugawa Yorinobu, planted a forest of black pines along the length of the beach to prevent salt damage. It is a well-known scenic spot in Wakayama Prefecture, and it has been selected as one of the 100 best combinations of white sand beaches and pine forests in Japan.
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- Cape Hinomisaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunmihamachou Mio
- This cape is the most westerly cape of Wakayama Prefecture. The whole area is preserved as the Cape Hinomisaki Park in which the Cape Hinomisaki lighthouse is an ideal site for overlooking the Kisyu-nada (sea off the coast of Kishu) and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to taking in the Onarutobashi Bridge and Awajishima Island beyond the Kii Channel, the expansive view selected as one of Wakayama’s Top 100 Sites for Scenic Sunrises and Sunsets can be relished. With over 2,000 Yoshino and Yamazakura cherry trees planted here, one of the attractions is the beauty of the contrast seen in the delicate pink cherry blossoms against the dark ocean blue.
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- Kizetsukyo Gorge
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Kamiakidu
- This gorge, located at the upper end of Aizu River that runs through the center of Tanabe City is dotted with magnificent and unusually shaped boulders. It is well loved for its beautiful foliage in the autumn, and its fresh green foliage in the spring. The famous Waterfall of Akagi, (where the Fudo deity is enshrined), and the cliffs far above the falls where Magai Buddha is engraved is a sight to see.
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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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- 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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- 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.
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- Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Bairin Ume Orchard (Ume Blossom)
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Kamihaya Ishimin
- Boasting the plum grove located at the highest elevation (300 meters) in the Kinki region, this expansive plum grove is one of the main groves of Tanabe City, the home of plums. During peak blossoming season, one is surrounded by soft white blossoms and enveloped in a sweet scent. The plum grove paths lead to an observatory and Kishu Tenmangu Shrine. The view of the plum groves from the observatory is extolled as a spectacle of 300,000 plum trees.
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- Hyakkenzan-keikoku Valley
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Iya
- Along three kilometers of this valley, there are many nature spots to visit. Out of the 20 Scenic Sites in Kii, Hyakkenzan-keikoku Valley has been voted the No. 1 favorite sight to see. In additional to the various large and small waterfalls, there is a natural tunnel formation in the original growth forest. It is a nature location that one never tires of visiting. There are 2 hiking courses, suited to your stamina level, affording one a choice. In May, Koinobori carp windsocks are flow across valley, along with a fishing tournament and many other events.
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- Senri Beach
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunminabechou Yamauchi
- 1.3 kilometer in length, this is the only walkable sandy shore area along the Ancient Kumano Kodo Route. Also called one of the White-sand and Lush-pine beaches, this portion was once part of the Kumano pilgrimage routed. Renowned as one of the few spawning grounds for loggerhead turtles on Honshu (spawning, usually in May, can only be viewed by permission of the Minabe municipality); it is also selected as one of Wakayama’s Top 100 Scenic Sunrise and Sunset Spots. Mentioned in the ancient literature of Ise Monogatari stories and Makura no soshi, this shore was named a Historic Site of Wakayama in 1964.
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- Mt. Gomadanzan
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Ryujinmuraryujin
- Mt. Gomadan is located on the border between Wakayama and Nara prefectures. Called the roof of Kii region, legend holds that Koremori of the Taira clan, defeated at the Genpei battle at Yashima, offered goma sticks to invoke good fortune for the Taira clan on this peak. Standing at 1,300-meter elevation, this spot provide exquisite scenic views of fresh verdure in the spring and vibrant autumn colors of yellow and red in the autumn. In winter, the snowscape and frost covered trees may be enjoyed. Chosen as one of Wakayama’s top 100 sites for scenic sunrises and sunsets, the expansive view from the Roadside Station Gomasan Skytower is a sight to see.
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- Nishihiro Coast
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Pref. Aridagunhirogawachou Nishihiro
- Approximately a 7-minute drive from the Hirokawa Interchange, this is a shoal beach area which is a part of the Wakayama Prefecture Nishiarita Nature Park. It is equipped with toilets, showers, and coin lockers and draws approximately 16,000 visitors a year. The beach opens every year on the first Sunday in July, and such fun events as treasure hunts are held after the opening ceremony, and one can enjoy clam digging during low tide. With a beautiful backdrop of mountain greenery and rocky outcroppings on both sides, this beach is one of Wakayama’s Top 100 Sites for Scenic Sunrises and Sunsets.
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- Kashima
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Hidaka-gun Minabecho
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- Hidakagawa Town Gengo Fireflies
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Hidaka-gun Hidakagawacho Gengo
- Fireflies can be seen in the Genko district on the west side of Hidakagawa Town. The fireflies can primarily be seen around the Hidaka River, as well as around small streams and irrigation channels in the district. The fireflies appear in most years from late May to around mid-June. The Genko district is famous for its abundance of fireflies, and it holds firefly watching events in late May in the evenings. During the events, visitors can also listen to traditional music performances played on the koto and shamisen.
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- Jinoshima Beach
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Wakayama Arida-shi Hatsushimacho Chisaki
- This swimming beach is located on an uninhabited island in the Kii Channel. The island can be reached via a ferry which leaves from Hatsushima Fishing Port. The beach is 500-meters-long and its waters are extremely clear. The beach has toilets and showers are available from inns near the fishing port. Also, rare for a beach, barbecuing and camping are allowed on the shore. Equipment rentals are available, meaning you don't even have to bring anything yourself. You can also rent fishing gear and the beach is a place where you can experience and out-of-the-ordinary time surrounded by natural beauty.
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- Mt.Takao
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Tanabe-shi
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- Tsubakiyama Dam Lake
- Travel / Tourism
- Wakayama Hidaka-gun Hidakagawacho
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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