Wakanoura and Tamatsushima Shrine: Touring the Scenic Spot Celebrated in Manyoshu Poetry

Wakanoura in southern Wakayama City is a scenic spot that has been celebrated as a poetically famous place by many poets since the Nara period. In 724, when Emperor Shomu visited, the court poet Yamabe no Akahito composed the verse describing cranes crying and flying toward the reeds as the tide fills Wakanoura, and its beauty was conveyed all the way to the capital. Cranes over the tidal flats, reed beds, and a calm inlet: a lyrical landscape little changed since the age of the Manyoshu still remains.

Highlights: Tamatsushima Shrine and Imoseyama

Wakanoura's symbol is Tamatsushima Shrine. Enshrining Princess Sotoorihime, known as a deity of Japanese poetry, it is counted among the Three Deities of Waka Poetry alongside Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto and Kakinomoto Shrine in Hyogo, and has been venerated by many literary figures over the centuries. On the small island of Imoseyama floating just offshore stand the vermilion Sandan Bridge and the Kaizen-in Tahoto pagoda, associated with the Kishu Tokugawa family, creating a picture-perfect scene. Climbing Tengu-yama behind the shrine reveals a sweeping view of Wakanoura Bay.

Furo Bridge and Kimiidera Temple

The stone arch bridge Furo Bridge, built by the Kishu domain during the Kaei era of the Edo period, is a landmark of Wakanoura. Its finely fitted stonework and ornamental railing are beautiful and popular for photos. A short distance away is Kimiidera Temple, the second temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Three sacred springs give the temple its name, and climbing the 231 steep stone steps of Kechien-zaka rewards you with a spectacular view of Wakanoura Bay and the reference cherry tree that heralds spring's arrival in the Kinki region.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring, the early-blooming cherry blossoms at Kimiidera reach their peak among the earliest in the Kinki region, drawing many blossom viewers. Summer brings the calm sea and pleasant sea breeze of Wakanoura Bay, and in autumn Imoseyama and the surrounding greenery take on color. The tidal flats change their appearance with the ebb and flow of the tide, a feature unique to Wakanoura. At dusk the bay glows amber, evoking the scene beloved by Manyoshu poets.

Access and Basic Information

From JR Wakayama Station or Nankai Wakayama-shi Station, take a bus toward Wakanoura, about 20 to 30 minutes. Tamatsushima Shrine, Furo Bridge, and Imoseyama are within walking distance of one another and can be toured together. For Kimiidera, the nearest station is Kimiidera on the JR Kinokuni Line, about 10 minutes on foot. Wakayama Marina City with the Kuroshio Market is also nearby, so a full day combining seafood and leisure is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

The Wakanoura area gathers Tamatsushima Shrine, Imoseyama with the Sandan Bridge, Furo Bridge, and Wakanoura Fishing Port within walking distance, easily toured in about half a day. Kimiidera has 231 stone steps, so comfortable shoes are reassuring. At Wakanoura Fishing Port, fresh locally caught seafood is on display, with whitebait and hairtail as specialties. The morning market and port-run eateries are known for affordable, freshly caught seafood. Since the scenery changes with the tides, visiting with time to spare lets you more deeply savor the tidal-flat charm celebrated in Manyoshu poetry.

A Word of Advice

Wakanoura is understated, yet a richly rewarding scenic spot where the landscape beloved by poets thirteen centuries ago quietly remains. Reading the waka poems inscribed on stone monuments as you walk evokes a timeless sense of travel. Kimiidera is known for cherry blossoms, so if visiting in spring, aim for the early-blooming season. Combining historical strolling with the seafood cuisine of Marina City for a single-day plan is popular.

📚 Sources

This article draws on official information from Tamatsushima Jinja and Kimiidera, information from Wakayama City and its tourism association, and on-site signs at Furobashi, Imoseyama, and the Wakaura fishing port. Wakaura is known as a scenic spot with deep ties to the Manyoshu poetry anthology. Kimiidera admission, the port morning market, and bus timetables may change, so please confirm with the official information of each shrine, temple, or tourism association before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Tamatsushima Jinja, Imoseyama, Furobashi, and the Wakaura port are within walking distance and can be toured comfortably in about half a day
• What to prepare: Kimiidera has 231 stone steps, so sturdy shoes are reassuring
• How to get around: The tidal flats change with the tides, so visit with time to spare
• Taste tip: Whitebait and scabbardfish are specialties at the Wakaura port, enjoyed at the morning market or port-run eateries
• Best time for views: At dusk Wakaura Bay turns crimson, evoking the scenes sung in the Manyoshu

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Japan Heritage: Wakanoura was certified as a Japan Heritage site in fiscal 2017 (Heisei 29) as "Wakanoura, a Treasure House of Scenic Beauty." Tamatsushima Shrine, Sandanbashi Bridge, Furobashi Bridge and Wakaura Tenman Shrine (Wakaura Tenmangu) are among its component cultural properties (Japan Heritage Portal Site, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
• Tamatsushima Shrine and Shiogama Shrine: 3-4-26 Wakaura-naka, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture / phone 073-444-0472. The deity Sotoorihime no Mikoto is counted among the "three deities of waka poetry" together with the Sumiyoshi deity of Settsu and the Kakinomoto deity of Akashi. Reception for prayer rituals is 10:00-16:00 (advance reservation is required, as there are days when rituals cannot be performed)
• Wakaura Tenmangu: 2-1-24 Wakaura-nishi, Wakayama City / visiting hours 8:00-17:00 / admission free of charge / the amulet office is open 9:00-17:00 and reception for prayer rituals 9:00-16:30. There is a paid parking lot (free during the first three days of the New Year, at Setsubun and at the summer festival; large buses not accepted). The nearest bus stop is "Gongen-mae," but as services are infrequent, the shrine officially recommends using "Wakauraguchi," which has more services. It is one of the "three Sugawara shrines" alongside Dazaifu Tenmangu and Kitano Tenmangu
• Kishu Toshogu Shrine: 2-1-20 Wakaura-nishi, Wakayama City / phone 073-444-0808 / founded in 1621 (the 7th year of the Genna era) / visiting hours 9:00-16:30 / admission 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for elementary, junior high and high school students (500 yen if you wish to have a guided explanation by a priest or shrine maiden; a 10% discount for groups of 30 or more) / parking for 70 vehicles, large buses accepted (reservation required), free for one hour when you present an admission ticket. The stone steps of the approach, called "Samurai-zaka," number 108 in all and are steeply pitched, so a gentler flight of steps has also been provided on the left
• Furobashi Bridge: A stone arch bridge begun in 1850 (the 3rd year of the Kaei era) and completed in 1851 (the 4th year of the Kaei era). It was built over the "Onari-michi," the road taken by the Tokugawa family and those connected with the Toshogu Shrine on their way to the temporary shrine during the Waka Festival. The arch section is thought to be the work of a group of stonemasons from Higo Kumamoto, and the balustrade section that of Ishiya Chubei, a stonemason from Yuasa (Japan Heritage Portal Site, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
• Kankaikaku: Built by Tokugawa Yorinobu during the Keian era (1648-1652) (official information from Wakayama City)

Note: The visiting hours, admission fees and parking of Tamatsushima Shrine and Shiogama Shrine are not published officially. Note: Furobashi Bridge, Sandanbashi Bridge and Imoseyama are outdoor historic sites, with no admission fees or visiting hours set. Note: The dates and times of the morning market at Wakaura Fishing Port are not published officially. (Sources: Japan Heritage Portal Site of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, official website of Wakayama City, official site of Tamatsushima Shrine and Shiogama Shrine, official site of Wakaura Tenmangu, official site of Kishu Toshogu Shrine)