Wakayama

A historic landmark of the city of Wakayama, the area is designed as a park with various attractions including a garden, history museum and zoo. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the lush green Mount Torafusu, sparkling white castle tower and beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Since its construction in 1585, Wakayama Castle was the longtime residence of the Kishu Tokugawa clan, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa clan.

In Wakayama, ramen noodles have been endearingly referred to as chuka soba, or Chinese noodles. The pork broth soy sauce soup is categorized into two types: the lighter, soy sauce-based soup and the richer, pork broth-based soup. The noodles are soft, thin and straight. On the table are the staple side menus hayanare-zushi, or salted mackerel sushi, and boiled eggs, which customers tell how much they ate upon payment in the unique Wakayama Ramen style.

Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine is in southeastern Wakayama Prefecture in the mountains of Nachi-Katsuura town. Together with Nachisan Seigantoji Temple, they have been at the center of Kumano's nature worship since ancient times. The shrine is part of the Kumano Sanzan, the three grand shrines of Kumano, along with Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Hongu Taisha. The town of Nachi-Katsuura also has many attractions, including the quality seaside hot spring of Katsuura Onsen and Katsuura...

Kumano Hongu Onsen Village, situated in the mountains of Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture, is known for its three hot springs: Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen and Wataze Onsen. This area is home of the World Heritage site Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine. It's a perfect place to enjoy both the historic hot springs and hiking along the Kumano Kodo trails in the beautiful terrain surrounded by rivers.

Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line connects Wakayama Station in Wakayama City with Kishi Station in Kinokawa City. Unique-themed trains travel the line, and at the last stop of Kishi Station, you can greet the famous cat stationmaster Nitama. Kinokawa is one of the country's leading fruit production areas and is also famous as the birthplace of Hanaoka Seishu, the first surgeon in the world to successfully perform a surgery under general anesthesia.

Koyasan is home to 117 temples today, of which 51 have temple lodgings. Originally these lodgings were guesthouses for monks and worshippers visiting the temple. Today, they are also widely open to general tourists. During your stay, you can participate in meditation and liturgies, as well as various events that each temple lodgings offer. Enjoy a relaxing stay in the quiet temples, many with Japanese gardens beautiful in every season.