When to travel?
The climate is very mild and warm, without any snow during winter. Some mountain areas, however, is very cold.
Best season: Mar-Nov (Jun is monsoon, Jul-Aug could be hot and humid, Sep is typhoon)
Cherry blossoms: end of Mar-Apr
Foliage: Nov
Events / Festivals
end Mar-Apr: Cherry blossom festival (桜祭り), Wakayama
May: Waka festival (和歌祭), Wakayama
Jul: Nachi Fan festival (那智の扇祭り), Nachi 那智
Jul: Tanabe festival (田辺祭), Tanabe 田辺
Jul: Kokawa festival (粉河祭), Kokawa 粉河
Oct: Kumano Hayatama shrine festival (熊野速玉大社例大祭)
Touristic spots
Capital city: Wakayama (和歌山)
Located close to the border of Osaka, Wakayama city has a population of 350,000, which is a quarter of all the population in the prefecture. The city is compact; however, it has a very convenient access to Kansai international airport (KIX), which takes only about 30 minutes, which is not so known to the tourists.
Shirahama (白浜)
Nanki Shrahama (南紀白浜)
Shirahama is a resort place. There is a hot spring, as well as a famous zoo called Nanki Shirahama Adventure world (南紀白浜アドベンチャーワールド). The zoo is known for Giant Pandas. There are only 10 pandas in whole Japan, and we can see them in only 3 zoos. This zoo has 6 Giants Pandas which means that they have the biggest number of Pandas.
Tenjin zaki (天神崎)
If you are a travel lover, you may know Uyuni Lake in South America, but what about Tenjin zaki (天神崎) in Wakayama? Just before the sunset or the dusk, there will be this amazing view. There are several conditions they have to meet in order to enjoy this scenery; the weather, low tide, and timing. If they are perfectly met, you may see yourself reflected on the surface of the ocean.
Kushimoto (串本)
Kushimoto is a city located at the most southern part of the prefecture, from where you can access to some touristic spots. Shio no Misaki (潮岬) is the most southern cape of Wakayama and Kii peninsula, which is known for the typhoon spot.
Thanks to the geographical feature, fish, especially bonito and tuna, are of great quality.
Dojoji temple (道成寺)
This is a very old temple, whose history can go up to 14th century. The Buddha is now nominated as a National Treasure.
Hi no Misaki Cape (日ノ岬)
This cape is known for an unobstructed sunset view, as well as cherry blossom spot in springtime.
Nachi waterfall (那智の滝)
The waterfall known as one of the best 3 waterfalls of Japan, it is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage site. The waterfall itself is considered as sacred which is to be worshipped. The water drops from the height of 133 meters.
Koyasan (高野山), Kumano Nachi Shrine (熊野那智大社)
Description available in Kansai article.
Doro gorge (瀞峡)
Description available in Mie article.