Description
located just south of Osaka. This area, which includes the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo paths, is rich in history and spirituality. It is also home to Mount Koyasan, a tranquil mountaintop settlement with over 100 Buddhist temples. It provides a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path alternative to metropolitan Japan.
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Things to do
Sacred Mountains & Temples
Wakayama’s sacred mountains and temples, particularly Koyasan (Mt. Koya), offer a serene, 1,200-year-old spiritual retreat. It is a truly "otherworldly" experience, with cedar-lined trails connecting three sacred shrines—Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha—often accompanied by hot springs like Kawayu Onsen. Walk through Japan's largest cemetery, a holy, moss-covered forest that houses hundreds of thousands of tombstones and the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
Wakayama City
Wakayama City is a lovely coastal city just south of Osaka that is frequently regarded as an overlooked, off-the-beaten-path treasure. The old Wakayama Castle is located in the city centre and offers stunning views across the city. It is bordered by lovely parks and houses various temples, notably Kimii-dera, which is noted for having the earliest cherry blossoms in Kansai.
Beaches
Shirahama Beach, often known as "White Beach," is the most well-known site, with imported white sand, magnificent turquoise ocean, and a 600-metre crescent-shaped shoreline that is sometimes likened to Waikiki Beach due to its sister-city association. The village is famed for its hot springs. Saki-no-yu, one of Japan's oldest, provides outdoor baths just next to the crashing ocean waves. The area is well-known for its fresh seafood, particularly tuna, and there are numerous restaurants and cafés along the coastline.