Access from Kansai Airport to Wakayama Station can be made using the JR lines (Kansai Airport Line, Hanwa Line) or by limousine bus. Both options take about 40 to 60 minutes, making them convenient. The access to Osaka and Kyoto is also good, making it perfect to add to your travel route.
At Wakayama Station, there are many coin lockers available near each ticket gate, which is convenient. Additionally, the Tourist Exchange Center located on the basement floor offers luggage storage (for a fee).

Wakayama Castle, towering over Torafusu Mountain, was built in 1585 and later flourished as the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate, becoming a symbol of Wakayama City. In addition to its beautiful white appearance, there are many highlights such as the castle gates and stone walls. Notably, the main keep, known as one of the three great combined-style keeps along with Himeji Castle and Matsuyama Castle, and the steep Ohashiro corridor are structures worth noting. Furthermore, from the main keep, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Wakayama City, including the cityscape and the Kinokawa River.
Surrounded by rich greenery, the castle grounds feature the Wakayama History Museum, the beautifully arranged Nishinomaru Garden with its intricate stonework, the tea room Koshouan where you can enjoy matcha, and a small zoo.
The castle grounds are also notable for the beautiful flowers that can be seen in each season, especially the cherry blossoms in spring. In autumn, you can enjoy the magnificent autumn leaves of the Nishinomaru Garden, also known as Momijidani Garden.

*Tokugawa shogunate: A general term for the Tokugawa family that served as shoguns in the Edo period for about 265 years from 1603 to 1867.

■Wakayama Castle
Address: 3 Ichibanchou, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-422-8979
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Last admission at 5:00 PM)
Closed: December 29 - December 31
Fee: Free (410 yen for general admission to the main keep, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students)

Wakaura, located in the southern part of Wakayama City, has long been known as a scenic area. At Wakayama Marina City, built in Wakaura, you can enjoy various leisure activities such as dining, playing, shopping, staying, and relaxing.
If you want to taste the seafood unique to Wakayama, head to Kuroshio Market. This spot is like a theme park where you can see, taste, and enjoy tuna. A live tuna cutting show is held twice daily, where you can purchase freshly cut tuna and enjoy it as sushi or in a rice bowl. There are also barbecue areas, food courts, and restaurants, along with shops offering seafood, famous sweets, and local specialties, making it perfect for savoring Wakayama cuisine.
In addition, Wakayama Marina City features leisure spots such as Porto Europa, where you can enjoy European streets and attractions, Kishu Kuroshio Onsen where you can bathe while overlooking the sea, and a sea fishing park, ensuring you won't get bored.


■ Kuroshio Market
Address: 1527 Keimi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-448-0008
Business Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM, tuna disassembly shows daily at 12:30 PM and 3 PM (11 AM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Closed: Irregular holidays, maintenance closures twice a year
Fee: Free admission


■Porto Europa
Phone Number: 0570-064-358 (Wakayama Marina City Information)
Fee: Free admission (Attraction tickets 500 yen each, unlimited ride ticket 4800 yen)

Kimii-dera was established in 770. It is the second temple of the Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage and is bustling with pilgrims. Passing through the gate and climbing 231 stone steps, you can enjoy the historical scenery of Wakaura, which is also mentioned in the Manyoshu.
The temple grounds are dotted with important cultural properties, including the vermillion gate and bell tower, as well as historical Buddha statues. Be sure to check out the three wells selected as one of Japan's top 100 famous waters, known as Sanseisui. At the Sky Cafe located on the grounds, you can enjoy coffee brewed with one of the Sanseisui, Yoryusui.
Kimii-dera is also famous as a spot for early-blooming cherry blossoms. The weather station specimen tree in front of the main hall serves as a benchmark for the blooming declaration, earning it the nickname "Temple that Brings Spring to the Kinki Region." Approximately 500 cherry trees bloom on the grounds, and a cherry blossom festival is held in late March. The view of Wakaura seen through the fully bloomed cherry blossoms is highly popular in spring.

*Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage: Refers to the 33 temples in Osaka, Kyoto, Shiga, Gifu, Nara, Wakayama, and Hyogo that enshrine Kannon Bodhisattva. It is believed that visiting all the temples leads to a correct mindset and a peaceful life.

*Manyoshu: The oldest collection of Japanese poetry, containing about 4500 poems mainly from the early 7th century to the mid-8th century.

*Japan's Top 100 Famous Waters: Water resources selected by the Ministry of the Environment for the purpose of rediscovering and promoting clear waters in Japan and protecting excellent water environments.

■Kimii-dera
Address: 1201 Kimii-dera, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-444-3678
Business Hours: Goshuin reception 8 AM - 5 PM, Sky Cafe 10 AM - 4 PM
Closed: Free access to the grounds, Sky Cafe open only on Mondays, Saturdays, and holidays
Fee: Free admission

The areas for accommodation can be broadly divided into four. Choose according to your travel plans and personal preferences.
① If you want to enjoy hot springs and seafood dishes by the quiet seaside, choose [Kada]
② If you want to enjoy the scenery of a historic scenic spot, visit [Wakaura and Saikazaki].
③ If you want to indulge in gourmet food, hot springs, and leisure at a resort, head to [Marina City].
④ If you prioritize access and convenience, the area around [Wakayama Station and Wakayama City Station] is ideal.

Awashima Shrine is known for its doll memorial services. Inside the shrine and the main hall, rows of hina dolls and Ichimatsu dolls donated from all over the country are displayed. The sight of 20,000 dolls lined up is vibrant and impressive. Additionally, every year on March 3rd, a hina festival and hina nagashi ceremony are held to pray for the healthy growth of children. It is a solemn ritual where boats carrying hina dolls with wishes are sent out to sea, flowing towards the land of the gods.
The deity of Awashima Shrine is Sukuna Hikona no Mikoto, the god of medicine. It is widely believed to bring benefits for women's recovery from illness, safe childbirth, and childbearing, and is revered as "the god for women." The shrine offers colorful and cute amulets, making them perfect souvenirs.


■ Awashima Shrine
Address: 118 Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone number: 073-459-0043
Business hours: Shrine office reception 9 AM to 5 PM
Closed days: No leave
Fee: Free admission

Kada is a picturesque area with popular tourist spots like Tomogashima, as well as beaches, lighthouses, and Kada Awashima Onsen. The retro streets overlooking the sea are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Fishing is also thriving, with natural sea bream caught by hand and octopus trap fishing being particularly famous. Near Kada Station and the Tomogashima ferry terminal, there are shops where you can enjoy fresh seafood like sea bream and octopus, as well as cafes renovated from old houses. If you plan to visit for lunch, making a reservation in advance will make things smoother.

■ Tomogashima Ferry Terminal
Address: Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone number: 073-459-1333 (Tomogashima Kisen Co., Ltd.)
Business hours: 4 departures a day, departing from Kada Port at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM, and from Tomogashima at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:30 PM
Closed: Wednesday
Fare: Round trip fare 2800 yen, luggage fare 300 yen to 1000 yen

Tomogashima is a group of uninhabited islands consisting of four islands: Okinoshima, Jinshima, Kamishima, and Torajima, with only Okinoshima accessible to tourists. It has been regarded as a sacred place for ascetics since ancient times, and five training sites still remain today. Additionally, it was a site where the former Imperial Japanese Army built artillery batteries as part of a fortress starting in 1889, and you can see the remnants of these sites on the island.
The island is covered in evergreen forests and is a treasure trove of diverse flora and fauna. The brick ruins of the old army fortress and artillery batteries standing amidst the rich greenery have become a topic of conversation for their retro and mysterious charm. In addition to the five scattered artillery battery sites on the island, there are many retro and photogenic spots like scenic viewpoints and lighthouses, so be sure to find your favorite photo spot.
You can freely explore the island, and hiking courses are also available. There are a total of three model courses, ranging from easy sightseeing to in-depth nature observation. The course that covers the main spots is over 3 km long, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. There are campsites available, so you can enjoy a leisurely day camp or camping.


■ Tomogashima
Address: Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone number: 073-435-1234 (Wakayama City Industrial Exchange Bureau, Tourism International Department, Tourism Division)
Opening hours: Freedom to walk
Closed days: No leave
Fee: Free admission

Wakayama's unique gourmet food is Wakayama ramen, which gained national popularity from a television program. The main types are soy sauce-based and tonkotsu soy sauce-based soups, characterized by their surprisingly light taste despite their dark color. There are many popular shops around Nankai Wakayama City Station and JR Wakayama Station, so check out the shops you're interested in beforehand. Comparing the specialties of each shop is also part of the fun. Locally, it is called "Chuka Soba," so be sure to order "Chuka Soba" when you place your order.