Visitor’s Guide to Wakayama Prefecture, Japan “YOKOSO” means Welcome JAPAN KANSAI Tourism and Exchange Division, Tourism Bureau, Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama Tourism Federation 1-1, Komatsubara-dori, Wakayama 640-8585 Tel: +81-73-441-2785 Fax: +81-73-427-1523 URL: http://wiwi.co.jp/kanko/world/english/index.html E-mail: [email protected] Wakayama Kishukan (Tokyo Tourist Information Center of Wakayama Prefecture) Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan B1, 2-10-1,Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006 Tel: +81-3-3216-8000 Fax: +81-3-3216-8002 E-mail: [email protected] Nagoya Tourist Information Center of Wakayama Prefecture Chunichi Bldg. 4F, 4-1-1, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0008 Tel: +81-52-263-7273 Fax: +81-52-265-0327 E-mail: [email protected] WAKAYAMA Kansai International Airport Tourist Information Center Kansai International Airport 1F Tel: +81-724-56-6025 Fax: +81-724-56-6027 Japan National Tourist Organization URL: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ Kansai Council URL: http://www.kansai.gr.jp/index.asp http://wiwi.co.jp/kanko/world/english/index.html Tokaido Shinkansen Meishin Expressway Biwa-ko Lake Nagoya Hot springs steadily gushing forth, and magnificent beautiful Mother Nature: the real Japan. Wakayama Prefecture is located south of Osaka. It takes about 30 minutes by car to the prefectural Yokkaichi capital, Wakayama City, from Kansai International Airport. It also takes about one hour by car from Osaka Junction City and Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which was opened in 2001. Kusatsu Nagoya Minami Otsu Isewangan Expressway Junction Wakayama is located on the Kii Peninsula, Japan’s largest peninsula, and blessed with beautiful Kyoto mountains, ocean, and rivers. Wakayama also has some of Japan’s premiere hot spring towns, like Bypass Shirahama and Katsuura, as well as numerous famous sightseeing spots. Chitahanto Meitetsu Higashi-Meihan Expressway Tokoname Line Fruit produced in Wakayama, such as mandarin oranges, persimmons, peaches, and plums, are famous Chubu Handa Chuo Tsuge Junction all over Japan. Fishery products like tuna, lobster, and cutlass fish enjoy a superb reputation, while Kameyama International Airport 23 Hong Kong 4 hrs traditional Japanese food products like soy sauce and pickled plums are also highly rated. We introduce Seki Junction Taipei 2 hrs 40 mins just a few of the many sightseeing spots and specialties in Wakayama. We look forward to your visit. Shin- Osaka Singapore 6 hrs 30 mins Shin-Kobe Bangkok 5 hrs 30 mins Osaka Kizu Tsu To Fukuoka Universal Namba Nara Kobe Studios Japan Tennoji Ise Expressway Hong Kong Oji Matsubara Sapporo Junction Taki 4 hrs 42 Yamato Takada Taipei Kansai Nankai Koya Line International Hanwa Ise 2 hrs 40 mins Airport Toba Expressway Seiwa-Taki Ise Interchange JR Hanwa Line Interchange Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes Izumisano JR Kisei Main Line Singapore 6 hrs 30 mins 24 in the Kii Mountain Range Tokyo Hineno Izumisano Nagoya Junction Kyoto In July 2004, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Osaka Nankai Main Line 5 hrs 30 mins Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, which Fukuoka Hashimoto straddle Koyasan and Kumano-san-zan Temperature in Wakayama Bangkok JR Wakayama Line Wakayama (Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine, Kumano Prefecture Spring 9˚C–19˚C 26 Nankai Hayatama Grand Shrine, and Kumano Nachi Summer 22˚C–30˚C Wakayama City 24 Koya Line Grand Shrine), were registered as World Wakayama City Fall 13˚C–24˚C Wakayama Interchange Gokurakubashi Heritage Sites. The Sacred Sites and 01 JR Koyasan Winter 5˚C–10˚C Nankai Ferry Wakayama Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range To Tokushima 42 have been regarded as sacred from ancient 05 424 Koyasan times. Unlike anything else in the world, they 42 02 03 04 Kainan 09 10 11 12 Kainan-higashi Interchange represent an extremely valuable cultural heritage created patiently by humans and Kainan Interchange 168 Table of Contents Shimotsu Interchange nature over many long years. Surrounded by 30 mins by train Minoshima a rich natural environment, you can Arida River Koya-Ryujin Universal Kibi Interchange 14 Skyline Road experience unique culture and a sacred air to Wakayama City 3 Studios Japan Osaka Nagoya 01 Wakayama Castle 02 Wakayama Marina City 03 Porto Europe 75 mins by train and Shinkansen 40 mins by 06 your heart’s content. train/bus Arida 07 04 Kuroshio Market 05 Kimii-dera Temple 60 mins by Yuasa Yuasa Interchange train/bus 2 hrs by train Chubu Hirokawa Interchange Kansai 2 hrs 30 mins by bus Arida and Minabe 4 International International 06 Cormorant Fishing 07 Yuasa Soy Sauce 08 Plum Trees in Minabe Airport 40 mins by Airport 169 on the Arida River train/bus Yuasa Gobo Road 13 Ryujin Hot Springs 33 Koyasan and Ryujin Wakayama Koyasan Kawabe Interchange 371 5 09 Kongobuji Temple 10 Kompon-daito 11 Miedo Gobo JR Kisei Main Line 2 hrs by train/bus Gobo Interchange Ryujin 12 Approach to Okuno-in 13 Ryujin Hot Springs 14 Koya-Ryujin Skyline Road 40 mins by train/bus 75 mins by bus 37 Koyasan to Ryujin Bus Gobo-minami Interchange April 1st–November 30th: Daily Hongu 42 3 hrs 15 mins by train Yuasa 42 Yunomine 35 Shirahama 7 4 hrs 30 mins by bus 424 Hot Springs 15 Saki-no-Yu Hot Spring 16 Engetsu-to Island 17 Sandan-peki Rock Cliff 311 36 30 mins by train/bus 34 18 Senjo-jiki Rock Plateau 19 Adventure World Ryujin Minabe 08 Interchange Kawayu Hot Spring Minabe Minabe Sennin Buro Kushimoto 9 Tanabe 168 JR Kisei Main Line 75 mins by bus Minabe Interchange 20 Hashikui-iwa Rocks 21 Kushimoto Marine Park 10 mins by train/bus Shingu 32 22 Shionomisaki 23 Umikongo Kiitanabe Shingu Shirahama Nachi Waterfall Kiitanabe Nakaheji Hongu 16 Hot Springs Taiji 10 30 mins 30 mins Shirahama by bus by bus 26 24 Swimming with Dolphins 25 Taiji Kujirahama Park 15 mins by train 19 Shiraha ma 20 mins by bus 60 mins by bus 15 17 18 Nachikatsuura 29 27 28 30 Nanki Shirahama Kiikatsuura Nachikatsuura 11 Shirahama Shingu Airport 31 26 Nachi Waterfall 27 Kishu Chomon-no-Yu Hot Spring 28 Boki-do Cave 15 mins by train Taiji 29 Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine 30 Katsuura Fishery Port 31 Kino-Matsushima 20 mins by bus LEGEND Taiji Kiikatsuura 24 25 50 mins by train Shinkansen JR Kisei Main Line 75 mins by bus 5 mins by train Shingu and Hongu 13 10 mins by bus JR Line 32 Jofuku Park 33 Kitayama River Rafting 34 Kawayu Hot Spring Sennin Buro Taiji Private Railway 42 70 mins Kushimoto 35 Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine 36 Tsubo-yu, Yunomine Hot Springs 25 mins by train Local Route 20 37 Doro-kyo Gorge 35 mins by bus Tokyo 21 Kushimoto Highway Kushimoto Ferry 1 Shionomisaki 22 23 2 Bustling Prefectural Capital, Artificial Floating Island, and Leisure Paradise The Roots of Japanese Food Wakayama City, the prefectural capital, is the most populous and vibrant city in Wakayama Prefecture. Wakayama produces more fruit than any other prefecture in Japan. Two of its products, Arida With the ancient and majestic Wakayama Castle as its center, Wakayama City has become a regional mandarin oranges and Minabe plums, are well known across the country. Minabe pickled plums have center of food, culture, and fashion. The artificial island Marina City in Wakayama Bay holds many of the leading share of the Japanese market. Japanese traditions like cormorant fishing in the Arida Wakayama’s charms, such as the European port-themed amusement park Porto Europe and the River and soy sauce making—the Yuasa district is the birthplace of soy sauce—have been preserved. Arida Kuroshio Market, where you can find a wide range of local products and food. Wakayama City Getting There Getting There Wakayama City From Kansai International Airport: Take an airport bus for JR Wakayama Station. 35 minutes Arida - Or, take the JR train and transfer at JR Hineno Station for JR Wakayama Arida From JR Wakayama Station: Take a train on the JR Kisei Main Line for JR Minoshima Station. 30 minutes Station. 40 minutes Yuasa Yuasa - From JR Shin-Osaka Station: Take a limited express on the JR Hanwa Line for JR Wakayama Station. From JR Wakayama Station: Take a train on the JR Kisei Main Line for JR Yuasa Station. 40 minutes Minabe 60 minutes Minabe - From JR Tennoji Station: Take a train on the JR Hanwa Line for JR Wakayama Station. 60 minutes From JR Wakayama Station: Take a limited express on the JR Kisei Main Line for JR Minabe Station. 60 minutes Minabe Wakayama Castle Cormorant Fishing on the Arida River See Map 01 See Map 06 Constructed in 1585, Wakayama Castle has become the symbol of Wakayama City. Known as traditional Japanese night fishing, this method uses a number of During the Edo period, the incredibly wealthy Kishu lords lived in the castle. The cormorants bred and trained by fishing masters. Normally in cormorant castle burnt down once, but was restored to the original state in 1958. If you want fishing, a fishing master controls the bird from the boat. Only in cormorant to visit Wakayama Castle, we recommend doing so during the spring cherry fishing on the Arida River does the fishing master go into the river when blossoms or the fall colors. The top floor of the castle tower provides a controlling the bird. The splendid scene is worth seeing. In summer, visitors panoramic view of Wakayama City. Inside the castle, there are exhibitions can rent boats from shops beside the Arida River and enjoy the spectacle of of samurai armor and a tea-ceremony room where travelers can cormorant fishing at close range.