5 Picture-Perfect Scenic Spots in Wakayama | Recommended Instagrammable Natural Landscapes

Breathtaking scenery awaits you in Wakayama Prefecture. A treasure trove of nature with sea, mountains, and waterfalls, this region is dotted with spots that make you want to reach for your camera. This time we introduce 5 scenic spots that are sure to be Instagrammable.

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1. Shirahama and Sandanbeki | The Contrast of Rugged Cliffs and Azure Sea

The Sandanbeki cliffs, towering about 60m high and stretching for 2km, have a sense of scale like a scene from a movie. The contrast woven by the white splashing waves and the emerald-green sea is overwhelmingly beautiful, picture-perfect even without any editing.

• Best time and season: The hours from morning to early afternoon when the light is strong. In winter, the rough waves are full of impact, making for dramatic photos.
• Shooting angle: Standing at the edge of the cliff, we recommend shooting wide with the sea stretching to the horizon as your background.
• Access: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Shirahama Station

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2. Nachi Falls | A Mystical Waterfall Boasting Japan's Greatest Drop

Nachi Falls is Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall, boasting a drop of 133m. The photo spot where you can capture both the vermilion-lacquered three-storied pagoda of Nachi Taisha and the waterfall together is famous, offering a one-of-a-kind landscape where Japanese tradition and nature harmonize.

• Best time and season: The early morning hours have soft, dreamlike light. The fresh greenery of May to June, and the autumn foliage in November, are especially beautiful.
• Shooting angle: The classic composition framing the pagoda and the falls from the observation deck in front of Hiro Shrine is excellent.
• Access: About 25 minutes by bus from JR Nachi Station

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3. Shirahama and Engetsuto | The Symbol of Wakayama Dyed by the Setting Sun

Engetsuto is a small island floating in the sea with a round hole opened in it, like a moon. At dusk, the moment when the setting sun fits perfectly into that hole is truly a miraculous shot. It is Wakayama's premier sunset spot.

• Best time and season: The golden time is from 30 minutes before sunset to just after sunset. Around November to January, there is a high chance that the setting sun passes through the center of the hole.
• Shooting angle: Aim straight on from the sidewalk of the coastal road. Be mindful of framing so the setting sun is inside the hole.
• Access: About 10 minutes by bus from JR Shirahama Station

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4. Hashigui-iwa | The Silhouette of Strange Rock Formations Dyed by the Morning Glow

Hashigui-iwa is a row of more than 40 strange rocks lined up along the coast of Kushimoto Town. Especially from before dawn into the morning, when the sky is dyed in gradations and the silhouettes of the rocks emerge, the sight is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also a national natural monument.

• Best time and season: Around sunrise is best. Enjoy the moment-by-moment changing colors of the sky with continuous shooting. In summer, the clear air gives vivid colors.
• Shooting angle: The basic angle is from straight on, where the rocks appear lined up in a single row. Adding the reflection on the water surface makes it dreamlike.
• Access: About 10 minutes on foot from JR Kushimoto Station

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5. Koyasan and Okunoin | The Profound World of Moss-Covered Stone Paths and Cedar Groves

Okunoin in the sacred site of Koyasan, spreading at an altitude of about 900m, is a mystical space where rows of cedars hundreds of years old and moss-covered stone paths continue. The way the light filters through the trees is like a door to another world.

• Best time and season: The misty hours of early morning are especially dreamlike. From the rainy season to summer, the green is deep, beautiful enough to make you want to take a deep breath.
• Shooting angle: Aim for a shot that emphasizes depth with a wide-angle lens, looking down the stone path into the distance.
• Access: About 10 minutes by bus from Koyasan Station on the Nankai Koya Line

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The scenic spots of Wakayama are all places where a story seems to be born wherever you frame them. Please go out and find your own favorite shot.

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