Wakayama Zone: Movies －０３：ＰＲＥＳＥＮＴ 「現在」－
Present: Visual of Wakayama – Visual of Wakayama – Universe of Wakayama
The Kii Peninsula was shaped by volcanic activity 14 million years ago, forming its steep cliffs, mountains, and unique rock formations, including massive and oddly shaped stones. The awe and reverence inspired by this majestic natural landscape, created through the forces of the Earth, led to nature worship, a belief that deities reside within nature itself – a concept that became the foundation of Japanese spirituality.
From the Heian period (794 to 1185) to the early modern era, this region was influenced by Shinbutsu-shugo (the fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs) and became a center of faith for people of all social classes. The overwhelming number of pilgrims traveling to this sacred land for the Kumano pilgrimage was likened to a "a swarm of ants," and this pilgrimage is said to be "the beginning of travel for the Japanese people."
| Ⅰ | Wakayama City Area |
| Ⅱ | Mt.Koya Area |
| Ⅲ | Arida and Hidaka Area |
| Ⅳ | Kumano Area |
| Ⅴ | Shirahama and Kushimoto Area |
I. Wakayama City and Surrounding Areas
This area is home to many historical sites, including Wakayama Castle, the seat of the Kishu Domain, one of the Three Tokugawa Branch Families, as well as Negoroji Temple.
It also features scenic spots celebrated in the Man'yoshu and charming destinations like a mountain bakery in Kimino, well worth the visit.
A popular attraction is Kishi Station, rumored to be the workplace of a cat stationmaster!
| ０１ Wakayama Castle | ０６ Kitsumoto Shrine |
| ０２ Kishu Toshogu Shrine and Wakamatsuri Festival | ０７ Togenkyo Peach Blossom Valley |
| ０３ Wakanoura | ０８ Negoroji Temple |
| ０４ Tomogashima Island | ０９ Oishi Plateau |
| ０５ Fujishiro Shrine and Kumano Kodo (Kii Route) | １０ Misato Observatory |
II. Mt. Koya Area (Michelin Three-Star)
Mt. Koya, founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai, is rich with temples and historical sites, offering a deeply concentrated spiritual and cultural experience.
At the foot of Mt. Koya, you’ll find a temple serving as the main entrance for women pilgrims and a shrine dedicated to a goddess in the serene village of Amano, both exuding a pure and sacred atmosphere. For a different experience, a stroll through the charming, retro townscape is also highly recommended.
| ０１ Mt. Koya – Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda) | ０６ Amano no Sato Village |
| ０２ Mt. Koya – Kongobuji Temple | ０７ Jisonin Temple |
| ０３ Mt. Koya – Danjo Garan | ０８ Mt. Koya Pilgrimage Route – Choishi-michi |
| ０４ Mt. Koya – Okuno-in | ０９ Marutaka Inari Shrine |
| ０５ Niutsuhime Shrine | １０ Kushigaki no Sato – Shigo |
III. Arida and Hidaka Area
The rugged coastline offers breathtaking scenic views, while the inland areas are filled with deep mountain valleys.
Blessed by nature’s abundance, this region is home to Wakayama’s renowned specialties, including Arida mikan oranges, Yuasa soy sauce, Kinzanji miso, the rare Kue fish, and Nanko plums.
| ０１ Aragi Island | ０６ Terauchi Town |
| ０２ Ariｄa Mikan Oranges | ０７ Enjugahama Beach |
| ０３ Birthplace of Soy Sauce Brewing | ０８ Shirasaki Coast |
| ０４ Inamura Fire Festival | ０９ Kaeru (Frog) Bridge |
| ０５ Kumano Kodo – Shishigase Pass | １０ Minabe Plum Grove |
IV. Kumano Area (Michelin Three-Star)
At the heart of the Kumano pilgrimage, which has been revered since ancient times, stand the Kumano Sanzan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Near the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, visitors can find an abundance of onsen hot springs, offering a soothing respite for weary travelers.
The area also offers one-of-a-kind experiences, such as visiting the world’s largest museum dedicated to whales and enjoying a raft-riding experience in the only "enclave" village in Japan.
| ０１ Three-Story Pagoda and Nachi Falls | ０６ Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Festival |
| ０２ Kumano Kodo – Daimonzaka | ０７ Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Fire Festival |
| ０３ Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Oto Festival | ０８ Seigantoji Temple on Mt. Nachi and Kumano Shugendo |
| ０４ Kamikura Shrine | ０９ Kitayama River Rafting |
| ０５ Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara | １０ Whale Museum and Aquarium Tunnel |
V. Shirahama and Kushimoto Area
These areas offer the best of everything – the sea, rivers, and onsen hot springs, along with breathtaking natural landscapes shaped by nature.
It is also home to must-see attractions, including a theme park where giant pandas live and a unique aquarium specializing in shrimp and crabs.
| ０１ Engetsu Island | ０６ Taki-no-Hai Waterfall |
| ０２ Shirarahama Beach | ０７ Lovers' Cape |
| ０３ Hashigui-Iwa Rock Formation | ０８ Phoenix Fold |
| ０４ Tahara Sea Mist | ０９ Sukuma-dani Kannon |
| ０５ Ichimai-Iwa Rock, Kozagawa | １０ Tonda River and Mizugoriba Water Purification Site |