Things to do in Wakayama

Wakayama Prefecture offers 73 shrines and 72 temples, including Kōno Amida-dō and Shinoda Shrine. It is ideal for visitors interested in religious sites and cultural experiences.

Kōno Amida-dō

Kōno Amida-dō

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

A 17th-century Amida-do temple, a cultural property with unique shugenja writings.

Narugami Shell Mound

Narugami Shell Mound

WAKAYAMA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Japan's first Kinki shell mound, offering a glimpse into Jomon-era life.

Horikoshishakukannon Temple

Horikoshishakukannon Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

A mountain temple with a historic Kannon statue and a protected sago palm.

Shinoda Shrine

Shinoda Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Shinoda Shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese worship and a remarkable natural monument.

Bentenjima

Bentenjima

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A small island in Nachi Bay accessible by foot at low tide, featuring a shrine and views of Nach...

Rishōgokoku-ji Temple

Rishōgokoku-ji Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Rishōgokoku-ji is a historic Shingon Ritsu temple with important cultural properties.

Ryōken-ji Temple

Ryōken-ji Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Japan's closest temple to the sea, founded in 1476, with cultural properties.

Hokushin Myōken Shrine

Hokushin Myōken Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Hokushin Myōken Shrine is a historic site dedicated to Myōken-son, featuring a 13th-century bron...

Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine

Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Ancient shrine dedicated to a unique deity, with historic buildings and a famous festival.

Ōkuninushi Shrine

Ōkuninushi Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Ōkuninushi Shrine is a historic site in Wakayama with a unique festival and ancient ties.

Komariyama Island

Komariyama Island

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

An uninhabited private island in Ikeda Bay featuring dense forests and sandy beaches accessible...

Tanabe Castle

Tanabe Castle

WAKAYAMA · CASTLE

Explore the remnants of Tanabe Castle, a historic site with stone walls and a unique sluice gate...

Suda Hachiman Shrine

Suda Hachiman Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

This ancient shrine, dedicated to the protector of warriors, displays a replica of a National Tr...

Jofuku Park

Jofuku Park

WAKAYAMA · PARK

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

Kimii-dera Temple

Kimii-dera Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Kimii-dera Temple is a historic pilgrimage site known for its cherry blossoms and sacred waters.

Ume Shinkokan

Ume Shinkokan

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

This roadside station showcases local plum history and products, offering a unique regional expe...

Taiji Whale Museum

Taiji Whale Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore whale ecology and whaling history, and see live dolphins at this unique museum.

Whale Beach Park

Whale Beach Park

WAKAYAMA · PARK

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

Misato Observatory

Misato Observatory

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Misato Observatory offers stargazing, a planetarium, and an observation deck in a town known for...

Kushimoto Turkish Memorial and Museum

Kushimoto Turkish Memorial and Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

A museum and memorial in Kushimoto dedicated to a historic shipwreck and international friendshi...

Flower Hill Museum

Flower Hill Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore a unique museum dedicated to Japan's first surgeon, designed by a renowned architect.

Porto Europa

Porto Europa

WAKAYAMA · PARK

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

Ichijō-in Temple

Ichijō-in Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Ichijō-in Temple: a historic Shingon Buddhist temple with unique statues and treasures.

Sankoji Temple

Sankoji Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Sankoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple, part of a pilgrimage, offering a glimpse into loca...

Mount Mikuni

Mount Mikuni

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A mountain peak bordering Osaka and Wakayama featuring modern radar installations and views of t...

Shimosato Kofun

Shimosato Kofun

WAKAYAMA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Honshu's southernmost keyhole-shaped tumulus, a National Historic Site from the 4th-5th...

Kushimoto Ōkyo Rosetsu Art Museum

Kushimoto Ōkyo Rosetsu Art Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Small art museum preserving and exhibiting temple treasures and fusuma paintings by famous artis...

Kushimoto Marine Park

Kushimoto Marine Park

WAKAYAMA · PARK

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

Inbe Hachiman-yama Kofun

Inbe Hachiman-yama Kofun

WAKAYAMA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique Haniwa figures.

Ikuhime Shrine

Ikuhime Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Ikuhime Shrine is an ancient village shrine dedicated to Ikuhime-no-mikoto, offering a glimpse i...

Itakiso Shrine

Itakiso Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Itakiso Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine in Wakayama, dedicated to forestry gods.

Itate Shrine

Itate Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Itate Shrine is an ancient, important shrine dedicated to a deity of trees and forestry.

Satō Haruo Memorial Museum

Satō Haruo Memorial Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

A literary museum dedicated to Sato Haruo, offering insights into his life and works.

Sonaezaki Sutra Mounds

Sonaezaki Sutra Mounds

WAKAYAMA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient sutra mounds on a ridge, revealing centuries of mountain worship practices.

Kōon-ji Temple

Kōon-ji Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Koon-ji is a historic Jodo-shu temple with a rare surviving building from Wakayama Castle.

Haso Falls

Haso Falls

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A vertical drop waterfall in Wakayama's Oto Hikigawa Prefectural Natural Park, recognized as one...

Rokusan-en

Rokusan-en

WAKAYAMA · GARDEN

Rokusan-en is a historic villa with a Japanese garden and Western elements, offering a glimpse i...

Rikishi Shrine

Rikishi Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Rikishi Shrine is a historic site in Wakayama City, preserving ancient shrine architecture and l...

Kada Kasuga Shrine

Kada Kasuga Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Kada Kasuga Shrine is a historic shrine with a beautiful main hall, worth visiting for its cultu...

Kada Awashima Onsen

Kada Awashima Onsen

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A coastal hot spring resort in Wakayama featuring therapeutic waters and a unique shrine famous...

Jusan Shrine

Jusan Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Jusan Shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese architecture and history.

Jūzenritsu-in Temple

Jūzenritsu-in Temple

WAKAYAMA · TEMPLE

Ancient sub-temple with a scenic garden, rebuilt structures, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Mount Chihogamine

Mount Chihogamine

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A 253-meter mountain in Shingu featuring ancient shrine sites and ridge paths within a UNESCO Wo...

Minakata Kumagusu Museum

Minakata Kumagusu Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

A hilltop museum in Shirahama dedicated to a polymath naturalist, featuring unique manuscripts a...

Minakata Kumagusu Archives

Minakata Kumagusu Archives

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore the life and work of a remarkable scholar at this unique museum.

Nanki-Katsuura Onsen

Nanki-Katsuura Onsen

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

A coastal hot spring resort in Wakayama serving as a gateway to the Kumano Kanzan World Heritage...

Nanki-Shirahama Onsen

Nanki-Shirahama Onsen

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

One of Japan's three oldest hot spring resorts, offering ancient seaside baths and white sand be...

Mount Minami Katsuragi

Mount Minami Katsuragi

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

The highest peak in the Izumi Mountains, serving as a significant religious training site for Sh...

Susami Ōji Shrine

Susami Ōji Shrine

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Visit this shrine to see a unique collection of historical ship ema, reflecting local maritime h...

Wakayama Marina City

Wakayama Marina City

WAKAYAMA · PLACE

An artificial island in Wakayama Bay featuring a European-themed park, fresh seafood markets, an...

Wakayama Castle Park Zoo

Wakayama Castle Park Zoo

WAKAYAMA · PARK

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

Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden

Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden

WAKAYAMA · GARDEN

A historic Edo-period garden within Wakayama Castle, featuring ponds, a waterfall, and a teahous...

Wakayama City Children's Science Museum

Wakayama City Children's Science Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

A science museum for children with interactive exhibits and a planetarium.

Wakayama City Museum

Wakayama City Museum

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore Wakayama's history and culture, including samurai heritage, next to Wakayama Castle.

Wakayama World Heritage Center

Wakayama World Heritage Center

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Learn about the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes at this World Heritage information center.

Wakayamaken Shodōshiryōkan

Wakayamaken Shodōshiryōkan

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

A modern museum in Wakayama City dedicated to calligraphy, featuring works by Amaishi Tōson.

Wakayama Prefecture Kii-fudoki-no-oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore

Wakayama Prefecture Kii-fudoki-no-oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore ancient burial mounds and traditional homes at this archaeological park and museum.

Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History

Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Explore Wakayama's natural history and marine life, featuring a large aquarium and diverse speci...

Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama

Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama

WAKAYAMA · MUSEUM

Modern art museum with a vast collection, notable architecture, and local art.

Wakaura Tenmangū

Wakaura Tenmangū

WAKAYAMA · SHRINE

Historic hillside shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, with important cultural properties...

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