Vacation Village Nanjian Katsuura

A large souvenir shop located on the right side of the road heading to Nachi Mountain. The spacious interior features a candy manufacturing corner where you can observe the candy-making process through glass. Popular items include various candies made with a secret black candy caramel. Among them, the black candy karinto manju is often sold out due to its popularity. The original black candy soft serve ice cream is also well-received. The shop is named after Ota Shokuzan, a master of kyoka (a form of Japanese poetry) from the Edo period, who loved tea and sweets. Local seafood and pickled plums from the Kumano region are also sold. A restaurant is located at the back left of the shop, where you can enjoy a fresh tuna bowl for 1,350 yen. There is also a reasonably priced udon shop in the annex.

A specialty shop for suzuri (ink stones) located halfway along the approach to Kumano Nachi Taisha. The Nachi black stone produced in the Kumano region has been used for ink stones and go stones since ancient times, and especially ink stones made from Nachi black stone have been highly regarded by calligraphers since the Edo period. Standard ones start from 6,600 yen, handmade ones from 11,000 yen, and custom-made "Mandala no Michi" and "Ishi no Sasayaki" start from 13,200 yen. The weight, color, and luster in your hand truly reflect the elegance of the real thing. Confident in their quality, the shop always recommends trying it out. Other products include go stones, flower vases, paperweights, and sculptures. You can observe the production scene at the storefront, and they will engrave your name or any preferred text on the purchased items.

A representative ancient road symbolizing the Kumano Kodo, which has been bustling with pilgrims to Kumano since ancient times. It connects from near the Daimonzaka bus stop to the town in front of Kumano Nachi Taisha. On both sides of the 600-meter moss-covered stone steps, deep cedar trees continue. It is a historical path that retains the shadow of the Kumano Kodo, where only dappled sunlight filters through, remaining dark even during the day. It takes about 40 minutes to walk slowly to Nachi Taisha. The couple cedar standing at the entrance of Daimonzaka is said to be an ancient tree with an age of 800 years.