Type and hit ENTER
  • HOME
  • CATEGORY
    • Japanese Apartment Life
    • Moving Tips
    • Interior Design
    • Local Area Guides
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • HOME
  • Japanese Apartment Life
  • Moving Tips
  • Interior Design
  • Local Area Guides
  • Village House

ENG

  • 日本語
  • ENG
  • PT
  • VI
Local Area Guides

Local Area Guide: Wakayama Prefecture

2021-09-07

South of Osaka on the coast of the Kii Peninsula you’ll find one of Japan’s most mystical areas, Wakayama prefecture. With a rich culture and history, and so many different Wakayama attractions, from the Kumano Kodo to Wakayama Adventure World, there is something for everyone wanting to visit Wakayama. It’s easy to get to on the JR express train from Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, or by local trains from Namba for a cheaper option.

Wakayama is abundant in nature; from waterfalls, rivers, and mountains, to beaches, onsen, and rock formations. Often considered the spiritual heart of Japan, Wakayama is filled with shrines, including the breathtaking Mount Koya. The prefecture has many of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sacred Sites.

Red Japanese pagoda in green forest

Wakayama City

A 90-minute ride on the express train from Shin-Osaka, Wakayama City is often people’s first port-of-call when arriving in Wakayama.

With such great transport links to Osaka and Kyoto, Wakayama City is a popular area for anyone considering living in Wakayama.

One of the many popular Wakayama attractions can be found at the center of the city. Wakayama Castle is a beautiful display of Japanese architecture and a great place to learn about the history of Wakayama. The castle is a lovely place to appreciate the changing of the seasons and Japan’s nature. It’s a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring and the attached gardens are a beautiful area to appreciate the autumn foliage. For anyone planning to visit Wakayama, Wakayama Castle is a 20-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station or a 10-minute walk from Nankai Wakayama-Shi Station.

768x300 EN

For anyone who appreciates art, the city is home to the Wakayama Museum of Modern Art, only a short walk from the castle. The museum features hometown Wakayama artists like Banka, as well as Western artists including Picasso and Rothko.

Yuasa, a rural town about 30 minutes away by train, is the home of soy sauce. If you’re in the city and considering what to do in Wakayama, try a trip to Yuasa to try delicious soy sauce and the ambiance of the well-preserved town.

If you’re in Wakayama city and looking for what to do in Wakayama, consider visiting Wakayama Marina City for a day trip, it takes just over 30 minutes on the 121 or 42 bus lines.

Japanese castle overlooking bridge


Wakayama Marina City

A short bus trip from Wakayama City, you can find Wakayama Marina City. Wakayama Marina City is a resort town built on an artificial island with ocean-view hotels and a relaxing summer holiday feeling.

Visit the Kuroshio-Ichiba Market to enjoy fresh seafood and watch the freshly caught tuna filleting demonstrations. Any foodies near Wakayama Marina City should also check out the Kinokawa Fruits Village to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables.

In Wakayama Marina City you can also find Porto Europa, a European-themed amusement park. With reproductions of famous European sights, it’s a fun sport for people looking to experience the slow pace of European life and thrill-seekers alike

Ocean waves splashing on rocks

Shirahama

Heading south down the coast of Wakayama is one of Kansai’s most famous resort towns, Shirahama. Packed full of Wakayama attractions, including beautiful beaches and Wakayama Adventure World, it’s a popular spot for anyone wanting to visit Wakayama.

Shirahama is known for its turquoise seas and white-sand beach, imported from Australia. Not only does Shirahama have one of Japan’s most beautiful beaches, but it is also an onsen town, with picturesque onsen baths looking out over the sea.

Shirahama also features some beautiful rock formations. Engestu island is a small rock formation that can be seen from the beach. It’s a beautiful backdrop for sunsets, so if you get the chance, watching the sunset behind the island is a wonderful photo opportunity.

For more rock-based Wakayama attractions, visit the Senjojiki rock plateau, made of soft white sandstone, which is said to look like a thousand tatami mats. On the nearby Shihara coast, there’s another natural wonder, the Torige Caves. Near the caves, you might be able to find fossils of worms, as well as marks from the wave patterns.

Wakayama Adventure World is a zoo, aquarium, safari, and amusement park all combined into one. Wakayama Adventure World has the popular PANDA LOVE,[YI1]  the largest panda breeding facility outside of China. With a variety of attractions, Wakayama Adventure World makes a fun day trip for any family thinking about what to do in Wakayama.

A relaxing weekend away in Shirahama is a perfect trip for anyone visiting or living in Wakayama and wondering what to do in Wakayama.

Waterfall in front of Japanese temple

Tanabe and the Kumano Kodo

Tanabe is the second-largest city in the prefecture. It’s further south down the coast and is considered the ‘gateway’ to the Kumano Kodo.

The Kumano Kodo is perhaps the oldest of the Wakayama attractions, drawing pilgrims for over 1000 years. From the 10th century, the Kiiji route[YI2]  was used by many as a pilgrimage from Kyoto.

Many people visit Wakayama to experience the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. Walking on the trails is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the surrounding nature and to form a spiritual connection.

The Kumano Kodo passes through forests, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and coastal scenes. There are so many shrines and temples in the area to visit. Mount Koya is one of the beautiful Sacred Sites where you can experience an overnight stay at one of the temples and attend the morning prayers as well as enjoying Shojin-ryori.

768x300 EN

Nachi Falls is the majestic waterfall along the Kumano Kodo. It’s Japan’s tallest waterfall, with a 133-meter drop. The waterfall is worshipped as the home of a Shinto deity, with the Hiro Shrine, Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Seiganto-Ji Temple nearby.

Wakayama is full of beautiful sights and exciting experiences. In addition to all of these things to do in Wakayama, you can also try out traditional log rafting, fruit picking, digging your onsen, scuba diving, and much more!

If you are considering living in Wakayama, please use this as a guide and explore these areas and beyond. Please visit Wakayama if you get the chance!


2021-09-07
Email
PREVIOUS POST
What is the Average Rent in Gifu?
NEXT POST
Top 4 Beautiful Places to go Camping in Kansai

RANKING
  • Picture2 3
    The 10 Safest Cities to Live in Japan
    2019-11-06

    Japan is an amazing place, and with 772 cities in the countr…

  • 1
    The Most Expensive Cities to Live in Japan
    2019-11-06

    Japan can be a very cheap place to live, it can also be a ve…

  • tokyo fuji 1
    Top 5 cities to live in Japan
    2021-06-01

    Wondering what is the best city to live in Japan? Here is ou…

  • 1 15
    Growing Cities in Japan
    2019-11-06

    #1 Tokyo With the global spotlight due to be shone over t…

  • 1 18
    How to Navigate Trains in Japan
    2019-11-06

    One of the most used, and famous, modes of transportation in…

SEARCH
CATEGORY
  • Japanese Apartment Life

    Japanese Apartment Life

  • Moving Tips

    Moving Tips

  • Interior Design

    Interior Design

  • Local Area Guides

    Local Area Guides

INSTAGRAM

villagehousejp

🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 市貝町芝ざ 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
市貝町芝ざくら公園では、春になると芝桜が咲き、辺り一帯がピンクに染まります!栃木へ行く際は、ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね!

🇬🇧 Beautiful lush pink fields of Shibazakura here in Ichigaimachi Shibazakura Park! Be sure to visit when in Tochigi!

🇧🇷 Belos e exuberantes campos cor-de-rosa de Shibazakura aqui no Parque Ichigaimachi Shibazakura! Não deixe de visitar quando estiver em Tochigi!

📸 @d850_user
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ こちらの物 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
こちらの物件もぜひご覧ください!
ビレッジハウス白野江 - 福岡県北九州市門司区
✨ フルリノベーションされたお部屋! 🚗 敷地内に駐車場有!🐶 ペット可!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Check out this property!
Village House Shiranoe - Kitakyushu-shi Moji-ku, Fukuoka Prefecture
✨ Newly renovated! 🚗 Onsite parking available! 🐶 Pet-friendly! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Confira este imóvel!
Village House Shiranoe - Kitakyushu-shi Moji-ku, em Fukuoka-ken
✨ Recentemente reformado! 🚗 Estacionamento no local disponível! 🐶 Animais de estimação permitidos! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 今日は、「 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
今日は、「世界お茶の日」ですね!🍵知っていますか?静岡は、お茶の生産量が日本一なんですよ。ビレッジハウスは、静岡にもたくさんの住まいをご用意しています。美味しいお茶を頂きながら、部屋でゆったり寛いでみませんか!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Happy Tea Day! 🍵  Did you know Shizuoka is Japan's largest producer of green tea? Be sure to take a sip of tea and relax in one of our many Village House apartments in Shizuoka! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Feliz dia do chá! 🍵 Você sabia que Shizuoka é a maior produtora de chá verde do Japão? Não perca a chance de aproveitar uma xícara de chá e relaxar e um dos diversos apartamentos da Vilage House em Shizuoka! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 愛知県の天 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
愛知県の天王川公園では春になると、水路沿いの藤棚に見事な藤が咲き誇ります。ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね。

🇬🇧 Tennogawa Park is a must-see season gem in Aichi, with its stunning wisteria trees surrounding the Tenno River.

🇧🇷 O Parque Tennogawa é uma vista sazonal imperdível em Aichi-ken, com suas árvores de glicínias estonteantes cercando o Rio Tenno.

📸 @a_yumi0425
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ あなたが好 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
あなたが好きな春のおやつは何ですか?🌸

🇬🇧 What is your favorite spring dessert? 🌸

🇧🇷 Qual a sua sobremesa de primavera preferida? 🌸

📸 @hafufamily5 and @ookuramochi
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ こちらの物 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
こちらの物件もぜひご覧ください!
ビレッジハウス生守第二 - 福井県小浜市
✨ フルリノベーションされたお部屋! 🚗 敷地内に駐車場有!🚃 小浜駅まで徒歩20分!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Check out this property!
Village House Igomori Dai 2 - Obama-shi, Fukui Prefecture
✨ Newly renovated! 🚗 Onsite parking available! 🚃 20-minute walk to Obama Station! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Confira este imóvel!
Village House Igomori Dai 2 - Obama-shi, em Fukui-ken
✨ Recentemente reformado! 🚗 Estacionamento no local disponível! 🚃 A 20 minutos de caminhada da estação de Obama! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ ビレッジハ 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
ビレッジハウス和気の近くにある「藤公園」には、春になると100種類ほどの藤が咲き誇ります。岡山へ行く際は、ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Located near Village House Wake, Wakemachi Fuji Park is home to numerous varieties of beautiful wisteria flowers. Be sure to visit the park if you're in Okayama! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Localizado perto da Village House Wake, o Wakemachi Fuji Park é o lar de inúmeras e belas variedades de glicínias. Não deixe de visitar o parque caso você esteja em Okayama! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais! 

📸 k_makiyama114
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 河内藤園の 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
河内藤園の藤のトンネルをくぐると、まるで異世界にいるような幻想的な景色が広がります✨

🇬🇧 The wisteria tunnel at Kawachi Wisteria Gardens is like a mystical gateway to another world✨ 

🇧🇷 O túnel de glicínias no Jardim das Glicínias de Kawachi é como um portal místico para outro mundo ✨ 

📸  IG User @cho_bsk85
Follow on Instagram
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY

©VILLAGE HOUSE. All rights reserved

Local Area Guide: Wakayama Prefecture - Village Blog