5 Selected Photogenic Gourmet and Souvenirs of Wakayama

When you think of Wakayama, it is a treasure trove of sea, mountains, and hot springs, but in fact Instagrammable gourmet and sweets are also abundant! This time, we carefully select and introduce Wakayama's photogenic gourmet that makes you involuntarily ready your camera, thinking "I absolutely have to photograph this!"

01 | Mikan Soft-Serve Ice Cream | Direct-Sales Shops in the Arida Area

Soft-serve made with Wakayama's prized brand mandarin oranges, in a vivid orange that is pure Instagram material!

Photo highlights: When sunlight shines through it, the color of the soft serve glows even more brilliantly. Set against a blue sky or white wall, the color contrast is outstanding.

Best shooting time: Natural light is at its softest from 10:00 to 14:00. The mikan season (November–December) is peak season and at its most delicious!

Shooting angle: Tilt the soft-serve slightly forward and shoot from below with an upward angle for an impactful shot.

Access: Head to roadside farm stalls around JR Minoshima Station or along the Aridagawa River by car.

02 | Ume Experience | Nakata Foods "Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata" (Tanabe City)

Nakata Foods, a maker of Kishu umeboshi (pickled plum) and plum wine. At the flagship direct-sales store "Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata" in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, visitors can enjoy the "Ume Corridor" (about 10 minutes, free), a walkway where the manufacturing process is visible through glass, as well as a wide selection of umeboshi and plum wines.

Photo highlights: Amber-colored plum wine and jars packed full of umeboshi sparkle like jewels when light shines through them.

Best shooting time: Open 9:00–17:00; closed Wednesdays (open August 12); closed December 31 and January 1. The adjacent "Nakata Ume Garden" has about 15 varieties of plum trees beginning to bloom from early February, and admission is free for a photogenic visit.

Shooting angle: Hold a bottle of plum wine up to the light and shoot from a slightly backlit angle to accentuate the luminous transparency of the liquid. Confirm with staff whether photography is permitted before shooting.

Access: Visit the flagship direct-sales store in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. The parking lot can accommodate large buses, making car access convenient.

03 | Nachi Kuro-Ame Ice Cream | Nachikatsuura Area

"Nachi Kuro-Ame" is a black candy that is a Wakayama icon, made by Nachikatsuura Sohonpo (Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture), a company founded in Meiji 10 (1877). Ice cream made with this black candy is only available at a limited number of shops, so it is worth checking with vendors in advance before you visit.

Photo highlights: Its visual contrast is its greatest appeal. Jet-black ice cream in a white cone or cup becomes a picture all on its own against a simple background.

Best shooting time: Even on cloudy days the color comes through without washing out — a distinctive advantage. Available year-round.

Shooting angle: Against a white wall or wooden table, shoot from directly above for a stylish monochrome photo.

Access: Available at souvenir shops and cafés around JR Kii-Katsuura Station.

04 | Raw Shirasu Bowl | Shirahama and Kushimoto Area

A luxurious seafood bowl piled high with glistening, fresh raw shirasu (whitebait). Prized for its freshness, this is truly Instagram-worthy local food that you can only eat in Wakayama.

Photo highlights: Photographed in sunlight, the shirasu gleam silver like precious gems. The green of the condiments and the yellow of the egg yolk add beautiful accents.

Best shooting time: Lunchtime (11:00–13:00) in bright conditions. Raw shirasu depends on freshness — availability can vary based on weather and fishing conditions, so check with the restaurant in advance.

Shooting angle: A top-down "overhead angle" shot of the bowl is best. It conveys the full beauty of the presentation.

Access: Head to restaurants or fishing-port direct-sales shops around JR Shirahama Station or Kushimoto Station.

05 | Nanko Plum Umeboshi Packaging | Colorful Cans That Are Photogenic as Souvenirs

Nanko-plum umeboshi are hugely popular as souvenirs. Recently, colorful designer cans and stylish packaging have been appearing one after another, and people are talking about how they are "Instagram-worthy even before you open them!"

Photo highlights: Arranging pink, red, and white umeboshi varieties together creates a gradient palette-like photo.

Best shooting time: Indoors by a window, where soft natural light filters in.

Shooting angle: Line up several varieties and shoot from above (flat lay) — the top recommendation. Place them on a wooden tray or white cloth for a café-style finish.

Access: Available at roadside stations and souvenir shops throughout Wakayama Prefecture, and also at Nanki Shirahama Airport and JR Wakayama Station.

Wakayama's food is world-class not only in taste but also in visual beauty. Grab your camera and enjoy a journey through Instagram-worthy food spots

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Opening hours / closed days: "Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata," the direct sales shop at the head office of Nakata Foods, is open 9:00-17:00, closed on Wednesdays (open on August 12), and closed on December 31 and January 1. On the "Ume Kairo" factory tour you can watch the production process through windows; it takes about 10 minutes and is free of charge. The mandarin orange direct sales stands in Arida and the eateries in Shirahama and Kushimoto have different opening hours and closed days from shop to shop.
• Budget and fees: The Ume Kairo tour is free of charge. The plum wine making experience is for those aged 20 and over and costs from 1,430 yen, and the plum syrup making experience is for elementary school students and older and costs 1,210 yen; both take about 20 minutes and are offered from 9:00 to 16:00.
• Access: Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata is in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture (not in Minabe Town). The mandarin orange direct sales stands in Arida are around JR Minoshima Station and along the Aridagawa River, and raw shirasu (whitebait) rice bowls are mainly served at eateries and fishing-port-run shops around JR Shirahama Station and Kushimoto Station; all of these are areas that are easier to get around with a car.
• Parking: Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata has a spacious parking lot that can also accommodate large buses.
• Photography rules: Always get permission from the staff before taking photos inside direct sales shops and restaurants. Also check whether photography through the windows on the factory tour is allowed. Take care not to include other customers or employees in your shots, and avoid using a tripod that blocks the aisles.
• Points to note: Freshness is everything with raw shirasu, and there are days when it is not served depending on the weather and the catch. Check with the restaurant before your visit. Mandarin oranges are in season in November and December, and at the adjoining "Nakata Plum Garden" about 15 varieties of plum begin to bloom from early February (admission free of charge). Ume Kairo has stairs and no elevator or escalator.

Note: "Nachiguro Ame" is a black sugar candy made by Nachiguro Sohonpo (Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture), founded in 1877 (Meiji 10). Ice cream made with this black sugar candy is sold at only a limited number of shops, so please check in advance.

(Sources: Nakata Foods official site (guide to the factory tour and direct sales shop) / Nachiguro Sohonpo official site)