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Wakayama
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Kansai

Wakayama

The sacred precincts of Koyasan and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail (World Heritage), plus the beaches of Shirahama. Nanko plums and tangerines are top-class produce.

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📝 Articles about Wakayama

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Ryujin Onsen

One of Japans three beauty springs, praised for leaving skin smooth and soft. A quiet, atm

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Yunomine Onsen

A sacred spring said to be Japans oldest, welling up deep in the mountains of Kumano. A qu

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course🗾 All seasons

Wakayama City Wakayama Castle Tomogashima and Ramen Course

A city course enjoying Wakayama Castles keep, the nostalgic scenery of Tomogashima island,

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course🗾 All seasons

Nachi Falls Kumano Nachi Taisha and Katsuura Onsen Course

A course visiting Nachi Falls with Japans greatest drop and the vermilion Kumano Nachi Tai

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course🗾 All seasons

Shirahama Onsen Adventure World and Engetsuto Course

A course to enjoy the best of Nanki-Shirahama in a day. From a pure white beach and famous

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course🗾 All seasons

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi and Kumano Hongu Taisha Course

A sacred pilgrimage course walking the Nakahechi route of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo t

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course🗾 All seasons

Koyasan Okunoin and Danjo Garan Sacred Sites Course

A one-day course through Koyasan, the mountaintop heart of Shingon Buddhism at about 800 m

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Nanki Susami Onsen

A simple, quiet seaside hot spring overlooking the rugged Pacific coast. A hidden gem of s

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Kada Awashima Onsen

A cape hot spring overlooking the Kitan Strait. An atmospheric seaside bath near a sunset-

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Hanayama Onsen

A characterful hot spring near central Wakayama City, known for its rich mineral content.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Nachikatsuura Yukawa Onsen

A hot spring by the gentle Yukawa, well suited as a base for journeys to Nachi Falls and K

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Watarase Onsen

A hot spring whose spacious open-air baths make it an ideal base for touring the Kumano sp

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Kawayu Onsen (Kumano Hongu, Wakayama)

A wondrous spring where hot water rises from the riverbed, letting you dig your own bath a

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Nanki Katsuura Onsen

A port-town hot spring famed for islands dotting an inlet and baths set in a cave. This is

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Shirahama Onsen

One of Japans three oldest hot springs, cradled by white sand and blue sea. Feel the sea b

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Yuasa Soy Sauce and Kinzanji Miso

Deeply flavored soy sauce and chunky kinzanji miso passed down in Yuasa, the birthplace of

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Shirasu Don

A seaside rice bowl heaped with just caught baby sardines, letting you savor the bounty of

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Namba Yaki and Kamaboko

Springy fish paste products carefully grilled from fresh minced fish, a Wakayama specialty

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Sanma Zushi

A pressed sushi topped with a whole butterflied saury, a festive dish of Kumano where gent

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Kishu Ume Chicken and Ume Pork

Branded chicken and pork raised on plum based feed, tender and richly flavored meats born

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Arida Mikan

A celebrated mandarin grown on warm hillsides with a fine balance of sweetness and tartnes

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Nanko Ume

A prized plum from Minabe celebrated for its plump, thick flesh, beloved nationwide as pic

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Nachikatsuura Fresh Tuna

One of the leading ports for fresh, never frozen tuna raised by the Kuroshio current, wher

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Mehari Zushi

A large rice ball wrapped in pickled leaf greens, a rustic and hearty local flavor that ha

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Wakayama Ramen

A soul food of Wakayama City where rich pork bone and soy sauce blend into a mellow, deepl

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kimiidera: An Ancient Saigoku Pilgrimage Temple with Three Sacred Springs in Wakayama

Said to be founded in 770, this ancient temple takes its name from three sacred springs on

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Shirasaki Coast: White Limestone Scenery Called the Aegean of Japan in Wakayama

A stretch of brilliant white limestone jutting into the sea, among the finest coastal scen

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kuwanoki Falls: A Top-100 Waterfall Hidden in the Forests of Shingu, Wakayama

A roughly 21-meter sheer waterfall on a tributary of the Kumano River. Chosen as one of Ja

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Negoroji: Head Temple of Shingi Shingon with a National Treasure Great Pagoda in Wakayama

The head temple of the Shingi Shingon school, founded in 1132. Its great pagoda, one of th

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Dojoji: Wakayamas Oldest Temple, Famed for a Tragic Love Legend

Said to be founded in 701, this is the oldest temple in Wakayama. It is the stage of a tra

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Sukumadani Kannon: A Lesser-Known Temple of Good Fortune in Southern Wakayama

Said to be the oldest temple for warding off misfortune in southern Wakayama, founded by t

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Shiogama Jinja: A Cave Shrine for Safe Childbirth at Wakanoura, Wakayama

A small ancient shrine set in a rock cave at the scenic Wakanoura. Linked to a myth of two

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Awashima Jinja: The Shrine of Doll Memorials and Womens Wishes in Kada, Wakayama

The head shrine of all Awashima shrines nationwide. Known for the countless dolls in its g

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kamikura Jinja: A Giant Boulder Power Spot atop 538 Stone Steps in Shingu, Wakayama

A subsidiary shrine of Kumano Hayatama Taisha and the sacred site where the Kumano deity i

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Niutsuhime Jinja: A World Heritage Hidden Power Spot in the Amano Basin of Wakayama

A venerable shrine tucked into the Amano Basin at about 450 meters elevation below Mount K

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Seasonal Picks

Wakayama Winter Travel 2026: Snowy Koyasan, Nanki-Shirahama & Kushimoto

和歌山の冬の楽しみ方を紹介。高野山雪景色・南紀白浜・串本など、冬ならではの体験が待っています。

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Seasonal Picks

Wakayama Autumn Foliage 2026: Koyasan, Ryujin Onsen & Mt. Gomadan

和歌山の紅葉スポットを厳選紹介。高野山・龍神温泉・護摩壇山など、秋の絶景をお楽しみください。

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Seasonal Picks🌸 Spring

Wakayama Cherry Blossom Guide: Best Sakura Spots

Discover the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Wakayama. Spring sakura viewing guide

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Wakayama Local Gourmet Guide: Wakayama Ramen

Discover Wakayama''s unique local cuisine including 和歌山ラーメン. A food lover''s guide to the

Rainy Day Spots🗾 All seasons

Rainy Day in Wakayama: Best Indoor Spots & Activities

Don't let the rain stop you in Wakayama! Discover top indoor attractions including 和歌山城天守閣

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Wakayama Food Guide: Wakayama Ramen, Mehari Sushi & Mikan

Wakayama's tonkotsu soy ramen has its own unique style. Discover the rustic Kumano mehari

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Power Spot🍂 Autumn

Koyasan: Sacred Buddhist Mountain Founded by Kobo Daishi at 1000m Elevation

Koyasan in northern Wakayama is the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, founded by Kobo Dais

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Sightseeing☀️ Summer

Nachi Falls: Japan's Largest Waterfall with 133m Drop and Kumano Sacred Site

Nachi Falls adjacent to Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in southern Wakayama is Japan's largest

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Sightseeing☀️ Summer

Shirahama Onsen and Shirahama Beach: White Sand and Hot Springs at Kansai's Top Resort

Shirahama Onsen in southwestern Wakayama is one of Japan's three oldest hot springs alongs

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kumano Hongu Taisha: Sacred Site of Rebirth, Final Destination of the Kumano Pilgrimage

Kumano Hongu Taisha in Hongu, Tanabe City, Wakayama is the central shrine of the Kumano Sa

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Sightseeing🌸 Spring

Wakayama Castle: Walking the Castle Town of the Kishu Tokugawa Clan and Cherry Blossom Spot

Wakayama Castle towering over central Wakayama City was built during the era of Toyotomi H

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Seasonal Picks🍂 Autumn

Arida Mandarin Oranges: Savoring the Sweet-Tart Bounty of Japan's Top Citrus Region

The Arida region of Wakayama is known as Japan's top mandarin orange producing area. The t

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Seasonal Picks🌸 Spring

Kishu Plum: Enjoying the World of Ume in Minabe, Japan's Top Plum Producing Region

Minabe Town and Tanabe City in southern Wakayama are Japan's top plum producing areas. In

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Sightseeing❄️ Winter

Yunomine Onsen and Tsubo-yu: Ultimate Healing at a World Heritage Hot Spring

Yunomine Onsen in the Hongu area along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is one of Japan's

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Sightseeing🍂 Autumn

Ryujin Onsen: Polishing Skin at Japan's Three Beauty Hot Springs and Pastoral Mountain Village Scenery

Ryujin Onsen in Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama is counted among "Japan's Three Beau

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Sightseeing☀️ Summer

Kushimoto and Hashigui Rocks: Spectacular Rock Formation Where You Feel Earth's Heartbeat

The Hashigui Rocks in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama are a National Natural Monument where over

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Nachikatsuura Tuna: Exquisite Seafood at Japan's Top Port for Fresh Tuna

Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama boasts Japan's top volume of fresh tuna landings. Seafood r

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Sightseeing🍂 Autumn

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi: Mountain Trekking along the UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Route

The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi traversing Wakayama Prefecture is a UNESCO World Heritage pilgri

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Sightseeing🌸 Spring

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

Wakanoura in Wakayama City is a utamakura (poetically famous location) celebrated in the M

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Sightseeing☀️ Summer

Dorokyo Gorge: National Special Scenic Beauty, Emerald Green Valley

Dorokyo Gorge spanning Wakayama, Mie, and Nara prefectures is a gorge designated as a Nati

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Kishu Tokugawa Clan Castle Town Culture: Wakayama's Elegant Edo-Period Heritage

Wakayama flourished as the castle town of the Kishu Tokugawa clan, one of the three senior

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kumano Hayatama Taisha: Experiencing Vermilion Shrine Halls and the World of the Gods

Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Shingu City, Wakayama is one of the Kumano Sanzan shrines. The v

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Sightseeing❄️ Winter

Kainan Traditions and Kuroe Lacquerware: Visiting the Lacquer Town with 400 Years of History

The Kuroe district of Kainan City, Wakayama is the production center of Kishu lacquerware

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Seasonal Picks🍂 Autumn

Koya-Ryujin Skyline: Scenic Drive Route Crossing the Kii Mountains

The Koya-Ryujin Skyline (approximately 42km total) connecting Koyasan and Ryujin Onsen is

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Tanabe's Benkei and Toto Shrine: The Kumano Land Where a Hero of the Genpei War Was Born

Tanabe City, Wakayama is considered the birthplace of Musashibo Benkei, known as the loyal

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Sightseeing🍂 Autumn

Hidden Kii Peninsula - Hatenashi Mountains: Walking the Kohechi Shugendo Trail

The Hatenashi Mountains spreading along the Wakayama-Nara border represent the most challe

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Koyasan and Kumano Kodo — The World Heritage Sacred Sites of Wakayama

Embark on a spiritual journey through Wakayama's UNESCO World Heritage sites: the sacred m

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls — World Heritage Power Spot with Japan's Tallest Waterfall

Witness the sacred Nachi Falls alongside Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, a UNESCO World Herita

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Koyasan Kongobuji — The Sacred Site of Esoteric Buddhism Founded by Kobo Daishi

Ascend to Koyasan, the sacred mountaintop temple town founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Shirahama Onsen — One of Japan's Three Oldest Hot Springs, a Southern Kii Resort

Relax at Shirahama Onsen, one of Japan's three oldest hot spring resorts, with white sand