Top 5 photography spots and the best food stops in Wakayama
Nanki-Kumano Geopark spans nine municipalities in Wakayama Prefecture and as a region with many national parks and natural monuments, it is a treasure chest of photogenic tourist locations. You may at times be surprised to encounter views of oceans and mountains so close to built-up areas and wonder, “Is this actually Japan?” Here, we have handpicked the five most popular spots from all of the tourist locations. We also showcase a small number of the best food stops, whether the most trending stylish cafes on social media or restaurants offering foods that look amazing and taste even better.
Oishi Plateau (Aridagawa Town, Arida District and Kimino Town, Kaiso District)
The Oishi Plateau, which spans Kimino Town and Aridagawa Town, is a popular destination for hikers and campers. Around the 870 m summit is one of Japan’s largest grasslands. An expanse of blue-green vegetation in spring and summer, it turns to fields of golden silver grass in autumn, so this is a great location to take beautiful photos in all seasons. There are stunning views in every direction down to the valleys and across to the mountains, and on clear days you can see as far as the Rokko mountains, Awaji Island and Shikoku. Perhaps the greatest photo spot of all is Hiage-iwa Rock, a natural lookout that has captured the attention of social media. If you take a picture of yourself standing on top of the rock, you might look like a mountaineer perched over a steep cliff!
●C'est joli
This hugely popular bagel shop and café also lets you order takeout. A locally cherished store that has even made an appearance on TV, bagel lovers visit from far and wide. Inside, find a wide range from classic sweet bagels to limited time-only offerings filled with seasonal fruit or vegetables. The soft, chewy texture of the bagels will have you coming back for more. At lunchtime the set menu appears, giving you a choice of deli items or drinks to go with your preferred sandwich. The popularity of the shop means that some products do sell out. Secure your target items by getting here early or making a reservation.
Shirasaki Ocean Park, Yura Town, Hidaka District
The beguiling natural park is also known as the "Aegean Sea of Japan" because of the vivid contrast between the bright white limestone rocks and the blue sea. The geology, described in classical Japanese literature of the 7th and 8th century, consists of limestone rock formed more than 250 million years ago. Take a walk out to the panoramic lookout along a path surrounded by white rockface. Closer inspection reveals ancient creatures fossilized in the rock. What an experience to touch and feel the mysterious origins of Earth itself. The sun sinking over the horizon here is also voted one of Japan’s best 100 sunsets. The nighttime is another scenic wonder, the darkness revealing a sky full of stars. Within the park is a roadside station for drinking and dining, a campground with log cabins and sites to pitch a tent. A stay at a resort is also highly recommended.
●BALORICCO
A famous restaurant overlooking Ena Bay that feels like a secret hideaway. Beyond the spectacular sea views, the wood-fired pizza and pasta dishes are all exquisite. In an airy interior featuring wood panelling and high ceilings, appetites are heightened by all of the tantalizing aromas. Beyond the classic Margherita, the menu lists pizzas well-suited to the seaside location, such as kama-age shirasu (boiled whitebait) and vongole clam. Enjoy the resort atmosphere: we saw diners out on the terrace, enjoying a meal with a beer in one hand and the sound of the waves in the background. The Shared Lunch Set is very popular, allowing diners to taste both pizza and pasta at a good price. The restaurant is also good for a late lunch or daytime drinks, but note that the Shared Lunch Set is available during certain hours only.
Cape Tenjinzaki, Tanabe City
Cape Tenjinzaki is a breathtaking spot that juts out on the north side of Tanabe Bay and its scenery is compared to the salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia. The view of the green hills centered on Mt. Hiyori and flat reef that appears at low tide create a magnificent sight that is causing a stir nationwide. The best time for photography is on the outgoing tide at 140-150 cm, when the water trapped within the reef looks like mirror glass. Aim to be there on a fine day, as rain and strong winds create a rough surface. Best times are posted on the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau website. Cape Tenjinzaki is also known as a pioneer community for the National Trust movement in Japan, which raised money to buy land, thereby securing the precious ecosystem made up of three elements – forest, foreshore and sea.
●mon chouchou
The interior of this café, operated by a 100-year-old building supplier that handles only natural materials, is full of comforts. Visitors can enjoy lunch, tea or a handmade sweet treat in a warm, healing setting of floors and solid wood flooring made with traditional Japanese methods, timber-heavy custom furnishings and antique furniture. The café doubles as a general store that sells furniture, sundry goods and lights, so why not use the time until your meal arrives to take a look around. For anyone nervous about bringing their children to a stylish café, this is the place for you. There is even a kid’s lunch on the menu. Make this a stop on your next family outing or road trip.
Kuwanoki Falls, Shingu City
A picturesque 21-meter-high waterfall that cascades into the Kuwanoki Gorge, the waters of which flow into Takata River, a tributary of Kumano River. The name of the falls is said to derive from the mulberry trees that flourished in the area. A mere 500 m walk across the bridge over the Takata River, off Route 230, brings you to a close-up view of this famous waterfall, voted one of the top 100 in Japan. It is a setting of green forest, a powerful waterfall with a straight drop, generating splash and spray, and mossy rocks. Enjoy the beautiful spectacle as you immerse in nature’s negative ions. Sights along the trail include Oga Hachiman-Jinja Shrine, so there are plenty of photo opportunities before you even reach the falls. A map can be downloaded from the Shingu City Tourist Association website - be sure to use it on your adventure.
●Garak
This restaurant offers innovative Japanese cuisine, with stunningly presented original menu items showcasing the seafood and vegetables of the season, focusing on local produce. The ingeniously created dishes at times break the rules of Japanese cuisine, throwing up fresh thrills and emotions. Garak has a reputation for fish dishes: taking the freshest catch of the day and serving it up in a range of different cooking styles. You too may find yourself exclaiming, “Who knew this fish could be cooked like that!” Lovingly grown vegetables from the restaurant’s own garden are used, so they are the epitome of freshness. There is superb matching of drinks with each dish, and not all Japanese sake offerings are written on the menu. Ladies love the seasonal cocktails and fruit wines made with home-grown citrus and herbs.
Hashigui-iwa Rock, Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District
Hashigui-iwa Rock is a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument located within the Yoshino-Kumano National Park. In the 850 m stretch of water between Kushimoto Town and Oshima Island is a spectacular sight: a line of around 40 rock pillars of all different sizes. Appearing like a line of bridge piles, these pillars have been formed over millions of years by erosion in seawater of all but the hardest core of the rock. Legend has it that around the 9th century AD, upon reaching this place during his pilgrimage in Kishu, Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi made a bet with the villainous demon Amanojaku and built bridge pilings overnight to cross to Oshima Island. The daytime scenery where the lens can clearly capture the blue sea and the rugged rock surface of the strange rock is beautiful, but so is the sunset when the silhouettes of the giant rocks are stretched out in a straight line against the setting sun. Pro and amateur photographers alike are lured to this spot.
●M’s 〜cafe &dining〜
At this house-type, relaxed café and restaurant, try pasta, risotto and other creative dishes full of fresh Kushimoto fish and vegetables. The chefs here know how to extract maximum flavor from seafood: one of the famous items here is a dazzling acqua pazza (Italian poached fish). Also on the menu is “Kozagawa Gibier”, using game from the epicenter of wild game hunting in Higashimuro District. The meat is high quality and delicious, reputedly well-suited to first-time wild meat eaters due to the absence of any gaminess or particular odor. A wide variety of craft beers is available for the perfect match. While Italian-based dishes are in the majority here, there is plenty of variety, such as butter chicken curry and Japanese set menu options. This venue is also known for all-you-can-eat oysters in winter.