THE DIVERSITY About Wakayama Pinterest SCROLL DOWN 10 Reasons to Visit Wakayama World Heritage: Koyasan Shirahama Beaches & Onsen Tuna Filleting Shows Stay at a Shukubo Temple Retreat Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes Katsuura Onsen Shojin-ryori: Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine Wakayama Castle Fresh Seafood Fruit Picking 1 World Heritage: Koyasan Located in the ethereal Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park, stands the 117 temple complex of Koyasan. This World Heritage site, founded more than 1,200 years ago, is a window into the history, and spiritual universe of Japan. Read More 2 Shirahama Beaches & Onsen Enjoy a Japanese cultural pastime at one of the original thermal hot spring areas. Famous for its more than 120 onsen, the onsen options in Shirahama are endless. Why visit one, when you can enjoy many with day-visit or overnight options also available. Read More 3 Tuna Filleting Shows An entertaining spectacle synonymous with Wakayama, watch as seasoned fishmongers expertly showcase tuna filleting daily at Kuroshio Market in Marina City – a complex with a European architectural fantasy called Porto Europa, a fruit farmers market, amusement park and more. Browse 4 Stay at a Shukubo Temple Retreat A window into monastic life: 52 of the temples of Koyasan provide lodgings. Originally intended to house monks and pilgrims, they now welcome visitors from many different walks of life. In contrast to traditional ryokan inns, at a shukubo monks are your hosts, and prepare sumptuous vegetarian cuisine known as shojin-ryori. Read More 5 Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes Intricately tied to Japan’s history, from the 10th century onwards, these pathways linked Kyoto, the ancient capital, to Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple and the three grand shrines collectively known as Kumano Sanzan. It is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes globally. Read More 6 Katsuura Onsen On the south-eastern coast, the thermal hot springs experience in Katsuura offers renowned spas with fantastic views onto the Pacific Ocean and out towards the surrounding islands. Enjoy the variety of open air baths (rotenburo) bringing nature right to your doorstep. Browse Places to Stay 7 Shojin-ryori: Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine Shojin-ryori masterfully brings out the essence of the ingredients used. Crafted by Shingon monks, this seasonally-based gastronomy follows strict guidelines. Call it a kind of soul food, a cuisine built on vegetables and edible wild plants, and part of the ethos of striving for enlightenment. Read More 8 Wakayama Castle Owing to its strategic location, this fortress played a crucial role in protecting Western Japan. Today, it offers insight into the Tokugawa Dynasty, the feudal rulers of Japan during the Edo period (1603 - 1868). Take in the panoramic view of Wakayama City from its keep. Read More 9 Fresh Seafood Abundant with fresh seafood brought directly into its ports, Wakayama is a fish and shellfish foodie destination. Though many varieties are available year-round, the Japanese like to celebrate seasonality in their cuisine, which translates into enjoying food when it is at its peak. Browse Places to Eat 10 Fruit Picking Experience rural life by getting back to nature at one of the many fruit farms across Wakayama. A perfect day out for friends and family, enjoy year-round local varieties that trump the delectable index such as the seedless Arida Mikan (mandarin orange). Browse Orchards DESTINATIONS About Wakayama Wakayama City Koyasan Shirahama / Kushimoto Arida / Yuasa / Hidaka Kumano First time in Wakayama? Wakayama for First-timers Wakayama for First-timers Pinterest
