The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails start here, threading through mountains to ancient shrines. The coastline is dramatic. Shirahama's white sand beach sits beside onsen that have been flowing for 1,300 years. Wakayama is also home to Koyasan, the mountaintop monastery where you sleep among the monks.
Places7
Local picks0
Avg rating4.2
Known forshrine
What Wakayama is known for
Shrines
2
Culture
1
Temples
1
Markets
1
Nature
1
Castles
1
Top-rated in Wakayama
Tomogashima Islands
4.5nature
Uninhabited islands with Ghibli-esque overgrown military ruins from a secret WWII base.
Kimii-dera Temple
4.3temple
Hilltop temple with three sacred springs, 231 steps, and Kansai's earliest cherry blossoms.
Kishu Toshogu Shrine
4.2shrine
Lavishly lacquered 1621 Toshogu shrine overlooking Wakanoura Bay, called the Nikko of Kansai.
Awashima Shrine
3.9shrine
Fascinating, slightly eerie shrine home to 20,000 dolls.