Wakayama City Wakayama Castle Tomogashima and Ramen Course

Wakayama City is a historic town centered on Wakayama Castle, tied to a senior branch of the Tokugawa family. It also offers the mysterious ruins of Tomogashima island and the nationally famous Wakayama ramen. This city course lets you enjoy a historic stroll, island adventure, and local gourmet food in one day.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Wakayamashi Station First, take the Nankai Kada line toward Kada Station to reach Tomogashima. From Kada Station it is about a 15 minute walk to Kada port.

9:40 Cross to Tomogashima from Kada port Take the Tomogashima Kisen ferry for about twenty minutes and land on the uninhabited island of Tomogashima. The round-trip fare is 2,800 yen for adults, revised upward from 2,500 yen on 1 July 2026 (the child fare was left unchanged). Services are limited and, in the regular season, Wednesdays are suspended, so always check the service status for that day.

10:00 Explore the gun battery ruins of Tomogashima Brick fortress ruins built in the Meiji era remain, covered in green. Sites such as the Second and Third Battery ruins create a dreamlike scene. The island is hilly, and a full loop takes several hours.

12:00 Return to Kada for lunch Enjoy fresh fish dishes and the local whitebait in the port town. Kada is a fishing town also known for its sea bream.

13:30 Tour Wakayama Castle Head back to the city and up to the castle keep. The sweeping view over the town and the seasonal Nishinomaru garden (Momijidani garden) are highlights. Entry to the keep is paid, 410 yen for general admission, open roughly 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry around 17:00).

15:30 Taste Wakayama ramen A local ramen known for its rich pork bone and soy sauce broth. It is classic to add hayazushi (pressed mackerel sushi) and a boiled egg from the table.

17:00 Return to Wakayamashi Station End a full day and set off for home.

Highlights

The battery ruins of Tomogashima offer a mysterious scene, as if you have wandered into a story, and a real sense of exploration. The view from the Wakayama Castle keep is another highlight. A final bowl of Wakayama ramen is a must for travel memories.

Practical Travel Notes

• Access: Kada Station is about 25 to 30 minutes from Wakayamashi Station on the Nankai Kada line, and Kada port is about a 15 minute walk from Kada Station. Wakayama Castle is reached by bus or on foot from Wakayamashi or Wakayama stations.
• Ferry notes: Ferries to Tomogashima are limited and may be canceled in bad weather. Wednesdays are suspended in the regular season, so checking the service calendar is essential. The round-trip fare is 2,800 yen for adults (revised on 1 July 2026).
• Admission guide: The Wakayama Castle keep is 410 yen for general admission, open roughly 9:00 to 17:30. Strolling the castle park itself is free.
• Gear: Tomogashima is hilly with some narrow paths, so easy walking shoes are essential. There are few vending machines or shops, so bring drinks and light food.
• Food: Wakayama ramen has many famous shops in the city, and pairing it with hayazushi is classic.
• Timing: Give yourself plenty of time on the island so you do not miss the last ferry.

A Quick Tip

Tomogashima has few vending machines or shops, so bring drinks and light food for peace of mind. Give yourself plenty of time so you do not miss the last ferry. Admission and fares can change, so plan using these figures as a rough guide.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Wakayama Castle keep (closing days): 29 to 31 December. Group discounts for 30 or more people and a discount for people with disabilities are available
• Wakayama Museum of History: The history exhibition room on the 2nd floor is open 9:00-17:30 (entry until 17:00), with admission of 100 yen for adults (including high school students) and free for elementary and junior high school students; it is closed from 29 to 31 December. The souvenir centre and information desk on the 1st floor are open 9:00-18:00 from March to November and 9:00-17:00 from December to February
• Ohashi Roka: A covered bridge set at a slant, about 27 metres long and about 3 metres wide with a difference in height of about 3.4 metres, restored in 2006. The floor is built to be slip-resistant, and you cross it with your shoes off
• Parking: The Wakayama Castle Park car park inside the castle grounds has a limited number of spaces. The Oka Park car park costs 200 yen per 60 minutes with a daily maximum of 700 yen, while the municipal Chuo car park and North car park have 776 spaces between them and are free of charge for the first 60 minutes
• Tomogashima Kisen (sailing periods): In the regular season the boats run from 1 March to 28 December (except Wednesdays); during Golden Week (28 April to 6 May) and the summer holidays (20 July to 31 August) they run without a break; and from 4 January to the end of February they run only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Each boat has a capacity of 100 passengers, in busy periods the boarding tickets can be given out early, and whether the boats run or are cancelled on the day is decided in the morning
• Enquiries: 073-435-1044 (Wakayama City, Wakayama Castle Development Planning Division / Wakayama Museum of History), 073-422-8979 (Wakayama Castle keep), 073-459-1333 (Tomogashima Kisen)
• Official information: Wakayama City official website (Historic Site Wakayama Castle / Ohashi Roka / Guide to car parks around Wakayama Castle / Timetables and access), Wakayama Prefecture official tourism website, Tomogashima Kisen official website

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local authority. Hours and fees may change, so please check official information before you set out.