VisitWakayama.jp The Official
Wakayama Travel Guide

Wake up refreshed from a night in the traditional onsen town, and get back on your bicycle for a ride towards the east coast. The roads climb and fall throughout the scenic first section of the trip, and often run parallel with the Shingu River.

Offering a taste of Wakayama home cooking, this restaurant serves up healthy and hearty local fare, ideal for fueling up after the ride from Kawayu Onsen. The dishes are made from locally caught fish and locally grown vegetables. Find the restaurant by looking out for the distinctive signboard of a welcoming, bespectacled grandmother character.

After a slight climb, the road runs downhill, following the Shingu River towards the coast. Saving your energy is recommended as Kamikura-jinja Shrine is located up a very steep stone staircase of 500 steps. Once you have climbed the steps however, you can stand in front of the Gotobiki-iwa—a giant rock where the Kumano gods were said to have first descended into the mortal world.

If you are visiting the area on a hot day, cool down at this traditional store a short distance from the bottom of Kamikura-jinja Shrine's stone steps. The shop's high quality shaved ice, made with "pure ice" is a popular local draw. You can choose from a variety of syrups to colour and flavour your ice. Not just for summer, the store is open throughout the year.

Feeling refreshed, ride the very short distance to one of Wakayama's most prestigious shrines. Kumano Hayatama Taisha is one of the three grand shrines that make up the Kumano Sanzan—the destinations for pilgrims trekking the ancient Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. On the grounds is a sacred conifer tree, thought to be 800 years old.

Kobaido is a Japanese confectionary shop specialising in bite-sized sponge cakes. The bell-shaped cakes are light, fluffy, and stay true to a recipe handed down over many generations. The shop sells a number of other traditional Japanese sweets and biscuits.

Ride up to the bank of the Shingu River to Asuka-jinja Shrine. This well-preserved, vermillion red shrine was given World Heritage status in 2016, as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Pedal the short distance to the Ojigahama Coast—a pebble beach, better suited to strolling than sun-bathing. The beach is a famous egg-laying spot for loggerhead turtles. Enjoy your traditional snacks from Kobaido while sitting on the pebbles.

Pass by beautiful bays and through sleepy fishing villages as you ride the coastal road down to Nachi— the start point for entry into the holy mountains. Stop off at Fudarakusanji Temple—a temple associated with martyrdom monks. The priests set out into the ocean on a voyage to paradise, never to return. A replica of a boat can be found in the temple grounds.

Ride into the mountains to reach Daimon-zaka slope, a cobblestone staircase that leads up to Nachi Falls and the grand shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha. Park your bicycle at nearby Daimonzaka Chushajo-mae and head up to the waterfall and shrine on foot.

Nachi Waterfall becomes visible near the top of the slope. At the height of 133 meters, it is the longest drop of straight falling water in Japan. The area of Nachi is deeply spiritual, and the waterfall is a designated deity—signified by the white, lightning-bolt shaped paper shide attached to a rope.

Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the three grand shrines of Kumano and its origins lie in the ancient worship of Nachi Waterfall. The expansive complex houses other religious sites including Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple. The temple is located next to the shrine, highlighting the harmonious relationship Buddhism and Shintoism shared centuries ago.

Head back down Daimon-zaka slope and climb back on your bicycle for the final trip of the day to Katsuura Onsen. Once you arrive in the old fishing port town, treat yourself to two of the areas specialities, therapeutic hot springs and very fresh tuna.

The tuna hauls in Katsuura are the largest in Japan, and this ultra-fresh fish can be enjoyed around the town in many different ways. The freshest way is a mouthwatering bite of sushi or sashimi, but you can also find the fish served as cutlets—covered in breadcrumbs and flash-fried.