12 Parks in Wakayama worth your time

A science theme park founded by Konosuke Matsushita featuring renewable energy exhibits, optical illusions, and dinosaur attractions near the beach.

What it is

• A science-themed park founded in 1981 by Konosuke Matsushita.
• The facility focuses on energy history and future technologies.
• Geothermal and wind power provide electricity for the entire park.
• It is currently operated by the Shirahama Energy Land Corporation.

What to see

• Optical illusion rooms that challenge your perception of space.
• Dinosaur-themed attractions including the Jurassic Tour Second Mission CG simulator.
• Exhibits detailing the history and future of energy production.
• The park is situated near the scenic Shirarahama beach area.

Getting there

• The park is a fifteen minute bus ride from Shirahama Station.

Official site

www.energyland.jp

Read more about Shirahama Energy Land

Whale Beach Park offers whale and dolphin shows, a museum, and a whaling ship exhibit.

What it is

• A park in Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Located within Yoshino-Kumano National Park.
• Includes the Taiji Town Whale Museum.
• Also features the Taiji Town Ishigaki Memorial Museum.

What to see

• Taiji Town Whale Museum.
• Replica of a blue whale skeleton.
• Marine aquarium with fish and dolphins.
• Whaling ship Dai-ichi Kyo-maru exhibited on land.
• Taiji Town Ishigaki Memorial Museum displays Eitaro Ishigaki's works.

What to do

• Watch whale shows in a natural cove.
• See dolphin shows in the dolphin show pool.

Getting there

• Take a town bus from JR Taiji Station.

Official site

www.kujirakan.jp

Read more about Whale Beach Park

Honor Edo period doctor Seishu Hanaoka, see his home and surgical tools.

What it is

• Honors Edo period doctor Seishu Hanaoka.
• Operated by the Seishu-no-sato Foundation.
• Michi-no-eki Seishu-no-sato registered November 5, 2015.

What to see

• Shunrinken was Seishu's home, hospital, and school.
• Flower Hill Museum designed by Kisho Kurokawa.
• Exhibition room displays Seishu Hanaoka's surgical tools.
• Fureai Farm covers 13,157 square meters.
• Kofukuji Temple is a National Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• Nearest station is JR Wakayama Line Nate Station.
• Near Kinokawa-Higashi IC on the Keinawa Expressway.

Address

西野山473番地 Map

Official site

seishu.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Seishu-no-sato

Shirasaki Kaiyo Park offers unique white limestone scenery, a shell museum, and diving in Wakayama.

What it is

• A seaside park in Wakayama Prefecture.
• Registered as a roadside station in August 2009.
• Located on Shirasaki Coast, one of Japan's Top 100 Beaches.

What to see

• The entire park is surrounded by white limestone.
• A shell museum is located within the park.
• Numerous diving spots are available.
• Fossils of fusulinids and sea lilies in former quarry sites.
• Narcissus flowers are a habitat here.

When to go

• Large flocks of black-tailed gulls arrive from March to July.

Address

大字大引960-1 Map

Official site

www.shirasaki.or.jp

Read more about Shirasaki Kaiyo park

Shinjō Park is a large city park with an art museum and outdoor music hall.

What it is

• A general park in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• It was a main venue for the Nanki Kumano Experience Expo.
• Urban planning decision was made on January 24, 1985.
• Total project cost was approximately 4.15 billion yen.

What to see

• The Tanabe City Museum of Art.
• The Muse Park Tanabe outdoor music hall.
• A multi-purpose open space.
• The park's area is 23.0 hectares.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Shirahama Station.

Official site

www.city.tanabe.lg.jp

Read more about Shinjō Park

Kimiidera Park is a large sports complex, a good stop for sports enthusiasts.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Wakayama City.
• Established with multiple sports facilities.
• Hosted the 26th National Sports Festival in 1971.

What to see

• Track and field stadium built in 1964.
• Outdoor tennis court built in 1964.
• Ball game field built in 1964.
• Baseball field built in 1965.
• Climbing competition venue built in 1999.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from JR Kimiidera Station.

Official site

www.kimiidera-park.com

Read more about Kimiidera Park

Jofuku Park commemorates Xu Fu, a Chinese explorer, with a tomb and monuments.

What it is

• A park in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Commemorates Xu Fu, a Chinese explorer.
• Xu Fu's tomb was established in 1736.

What to see

• Xu Fu's tomb, a designated cultural property.
• A Chinese-style gate installed in 1994.
• A monument to Xu Fu.
• A monument to the Seven Mounds.
• A statue of Xu Fu and the Pond of Immortality.

Getting there

• Two-minute walk from Shingu Station.

Official site

www.jofuku.or.jp

Read more about Jofuku Park

This historic zoo in Wakayama Castle Park offers free admission to see various animals.

What it is

• A zoo located within Wakayama Castle Park.
• Opened on April 7, 1915.
• A member of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• A Fairy Tale Garden.
• A Waterfowl Garden.
• 49 species and 138 animals.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Getting there

• Accessible by Wakayama Bus.

Address

和歌山県和歌山市一番丁3 Map

Official site

wakayamajo.jp

Read more about Wakayama Castle Park Zoo

Porto Europa is a free theme park with European-themed areas and attractions.

What it is

• A theme park on an artificial island.
• Completed in November 1994 by Matsushita Kosan.
• Admission became free on March 19, 2016.

What to see

• Park is divided into two areas.
• Attractions include High Dive and 4D Theater.
• High Dive has a 22-meter drop.
• Mascot characters are Diver Dan and Mermaid.

Getting there

• Accessible by Wakayama Bus.

Official site

www.marinacity.com

Read more about Porto Europa

Adventure World is a unique theme park combining a zoo, aquarium, and amusement rides.

What it is

• A theme park in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Combines a zoo, an aquarium, and an amusement park.
• Opened on April 22, 1978.
• Originally named Nanki Shirahama World Safari.

What to see

• Safari World, Marine World, and Play Zone areas.
• Giant pandas were exhibited from 1994 to 2025.
• Breeding Center for giant pandas.

Official site

www.aws-s.com

Read more about Adventure World

A free botanical park with flower beds, a greenhouse, and a playground.

What it is

• A botanical park in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1979.
• Managed by Kinokuni Garden.
• Admission became free in April 2016.

What to see

• Flower beds.
• A greenhouse.
• A playground.
• Woody House.
• Wakayama Prefecture souvenirs.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Official site

www.w-botanicalgarden.jp

Read more about Wakayama Prefecture Botanical Park Ryokka Center

Japan's first marine park, offering an aquarium, underwater tower, and boat tours.

What it is

• Japan's first marine park, designated July 1970.
• Located in Yoshino-Kumano National Park.
• Registered under the Ramsar Convention.

What to see

• Aquarium, opened 1971.
• Underwater observation tower, opened January 1971.
• Marine sightseeing boat 'Stella Maris', launched 1999.

Official site

www.kushimoto.co.jp

Read more about Kushimoto Marine Park