Is Wakayama Worth Visiting?
Last Updated on May 8, 2025 by Kay
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I’ve been living in Japan for over fifteen years now, and Wakayama is hands down one of my favorite places in the country. So to answer your question straight off the bat, yes, Wakayama Prefecture is absolutely worth visiting.
My family loves Wakayama so much that we visit every year!
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about why you should take the time to visit Wakayama Prefecture in Japan.
Table of Contents
Why Visit Wakayama?
Despite having lived in Japan for about a decade at the time, Wakayama wasn’t a place I really thought about visiting until I moved to Osaka. And the first time I went, I was blown away by its beauty, and I continue to be with every visit.
Wakayama Prefecture neighbors Osaka and Nara and is located in Japan’s largest peninsula, the Kii Peninsula. True to its name, waka (和歌) meaning “Japanese poem” and yama (山) meaning “mountain”, Wakayama offers breathtaking landscapes where sacred shrines and temples stand tall amongst mist-covered mountains and the Pacific Ocean sparkles along rugged coastlines—scenes that feel lifted from ancient Japanese poetry.
At the heart of this spiritual beauty lies the Kumano region, home to the Kumano Kodo—a network of pilgrimage trails that have guided travelers for over a thousand years and are still walked today.
So if you love nature, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, fresh seafood, and especially traveling off the beaten path, then Wakayama is for you.
The Best Things To Do In Wakayama
There are so many things to see and do in Wakayama that it can be overwhelming, so I’ve listed my favorites.
Swim at Shirahama Beach
Shirahama Beach is known for its soft and beautiful white sand, which was brought over from Australia. The water here is very pristine and stunning as well, some of the best I have seen apart from Okinawa.
This is probably why Shirahama Beach is a sister beach to Waikiki and is referred to as the Hawaii of Japan.
While you’re in Shirahama, consider visiting the Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium, which is small but has a variety of local sea life.
Nearby the aquarium, there’s a glass boat tour where you can see sealife while looking through the glass floor of the boat. It’s a really fun experience where you can see various fish local to Wakayama, and it’s always nice to get out on the water.
Soak in an Onsen
Wakayama is also known for its onsen, so it’s also worth visiting in seasons apart from summer. In fact, Wakayama is home to the oldest onsen in Japan, which is called Saki No Yu and overlooks the ocean.
Other famous onsen include Tsubo Yu, which has onsen water that changes color, and Katsuura Onsen, which is in a cave and also overlooks the ocean. I absolutely loved Katsuura Onsen and recommend it to everyone, it’s well worth the stay!
You’ll also find that many ryokan and hotels in Wakayama offer onsen baths, which I will share later on in the article.
Marvel at Sandanbeki Cave
Sandanbeki Cave has a rich history, having been used by the Kumano Navy to conceal ships. Now it’s no longer a hiding place, so visitors can see the imprints of 16 million-year-old waves on the rocks. This is also considered a “power spot” and thus has a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the deity of wisdom and water.
Senjojiki
Five minutes away from Sandanbeki Cave by car, Senjojiki consists of relatively smooth and layered rocks that were formed from the impact of the Pacific Ocean crashing into it for thousands of years.
The rocks against the ocean is very beautiful and it’s a great place to take photos and see the power of nature. However, it can be dangerous, so be careful when you visit and make sure you wear sneakers!
Spend a Day at Adventure World
Adventure World is a massive zoo located near Shirahama Airport.
Zoos in Japan don’t have the best reputation because many are small, not well-maintained, and are located in cities, but Adventure World is very different. It’s a whopping 800,000 square km in size, so animals have plenty of space and many roam around freely.
They’re most known for their giant pandas, but unfortunately (maybe fortunately), the pandas will be going home to China in June 2025. However, there are still plenty of other animals to see, like red pandas, rhinos, giraffes, lions, tigers, dolphins, and more.
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
Wakayama is famous for various kinds of food, including:
- Mikan
- Yuasa soy sauce
- Longtooth grouper fish (Kue)
- Kinzanji miso
- Umeboshi (pickled plums)
- Maguro
- Goma (sesame seed) Tofu
- Wakayama ramen
The seafood in Wakayama is hands down some of the best I have ever had in Japan, and something I really look forward to enjoying when I visit the prefecture.
Walk the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kumano Kodo is one of the most famous pilgrimage trails in Japan. If you stay at Hotel Urashima, you can easily get to one of the most famous parts of Kumano Kodo, which is Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple.
The image of Nachi Falls with Sanjūdō pagoda in the forefront is probably something you’ve seen before, and it is even more spectacular in person. My family spent some time here marveling at the view and looking out at Wakayama’s stunning landscape from the pagoda.
When I visited Kumano Kodo, I went with my family by car. However, we saw many people using public transportation as well.
Nearby, you’ll find Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the Three Grand Shrines (Kumano Sanzan) in Kumano. Below is a picture of what the view from the shrine looked like. As you can see, it was a perfect place to rest and enjoy the rolling green mountains of Wakayama.
The second Grand Shrine is Kumano Hongu Taisha, which doesn’t have as impressive a view but is home to many deities. It also has a 1000-year-old tree on its grounds.
Lastly, there’s Kumano Hayatama Taisha, which, unlike the other Grand Shrines, has a simple appearance with hints of gold.
Meditate at Koyasan
Koyasan, also known as Mount Koya, is an area in Wakayama that contains over one hundred temples, some dating back to 826.
Here you can visit famous temples such as Oku-no-in and Kongobuji, or have the unique experience of spending the night in a Buddhist temple.
Challenge the Longest Suspension Bridge In Japan
Tanize Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Japan. If you love heights and are a thrill-seeker, I highly suggest trying to cross it.
Personally, I found it quite scary, especially since it swayed quite a lot. There also wasn’t much on the other side, which was disappointing. But hey, I think it’s worth checking out because how many people can say they crossed the longest suspension bridge in Japan?
Enjoy Marveling at Local Sealife
Since Wakayama is located on the coast, there are many aquariums in the prefecture that you can visit.
My favorite is Kushimoto Marine Park, which is my favorite aquarium in Japan (and also the first established in Japan). Notably, you can hold baby turtles here (under staff supervision and only at particular times), go on glass boat rides, and go inside an underwater observatory to see fish in their natural habitat.
Other notable aquariums include:
Ebi to Kano no Suizokukan (Shrimp and Crab Aquarium)
This aquarium is small, but it’s on the way to Kushimoto Marine Park, so it’s worth stopping by if you have a car. However, I do feel that some of the animals don’t have enough space here.
Visit Wakayama Castle
Wakayama Castle isn’t as large or as famous as Osaka Castle or Himeji, but it’s still worth taking a look at, especially in spring when there are lots of stunning pink cherry blossoms.
See How Soy Sauce Is Made
The Yuasa Soy Sauce Museum was one of our highlights when we went to Wakayama. Here you can see the craft of soy sauce-making as well as try soy sauce ice cream, which is incredibly delicious!
If you want to try a hand at making soy sauce, you need to make a reservation in advance on their website.
Where to Stay in Wakayama
Here are my favorite accommodations in Wakayama that I recommend.
Musashi
This ryokan with numerous onsen baths is located only 2 minutes on foot from Shirahama Beach. It has a ping-pong corner and karaoke room, and you can choose a plan that includes breakfast and dinner.
This hotel is also close to Shirahama Beach, only a 3-minute walk away. It’s most famous for its public onsen bath with ocean and mountain views.
It also has a swimming pool that’s open from July to September.
Shirahama Key Terrance Hotel Seamore
My friend stayed here with her three-year-old and she loved it, especially the ocean-view onsen.
Another friend’s husband stayed here for a work trip and raved about it, so considering both of their experiences, this is somewhere I really want to stay with my family next time I go!
The hotel boasts a sauna and onsen, is 15 minutes on foot from Shirahama Beach, there’s a game room and karaoke lounge, as well as a swimming pool in the summer.
Hotel Urashima
If you’re planning on going to the Kumano Kodo, I highly recommend staying here. It was so incredible that I wrote an article about it! Trust me, you won’t experience a hotel like this anywhere else in the world!
FAQ About Visiting Wakayama
Here are some frequently asked questions you might have about going to Wakayama and my answers.
How Far is Wakayama From Osaka?
Wakayama, specifically Wakayama Station, is about an hour by train or car from Osaka Station.
Other locations in Wakayama, such as Shirahama, will take two hours or more.
How Far is Wakayama From Kyoto?
Wakayama Station is about 2 hours by train from Kyoto Station and 1.5 hours by car.
Other locations in Wakayama, such as Shirahama, will take about 2.5 hours by car and 3.5 hours by train.
What is Wakayama Famous For?
Wakayama is famous for World Heritage Sites such as Kumano Kodo, its pristine white beaches in Shirahama, as well as Adventure World Zoo.
When is The Best Time to Visit Wakayama?
Wakayama can be enjoyed in any season. In summer, you can swim in the sparkling waters at Shirahama Beach, and in winter, you can enjoy fresh seafood and onsen. Wakayama also has lovely autumn leaves, which look especially stunning in Kumano Kodo, as well as cherry blossom trees in spring.
Is Wakayama Kid-Friendly?
Yes, Wakayama is absolutely kid-friendly! I visit Wakayama every year with my family and have been going since my daughter was three years old.
To learn more about visiting Wakayama with kids, I recommend reading these articles:
Wrap-up: Is Wakayama Worth Visiting?
As you can see, there are so many reasons to visit Wakayama. It is truly a jewel in Japan, filled with luscious nature and unique culture and experiences that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
For me, it’s a less commercialized experience of Japan, which is why I always feel refreshed and calm after a trip there.
I guarantee that if you go to Wakayama, you will fall in love with it just like I did.