Nachi Falls

Wakayama Prefecture is home to Nachi Falls, one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls. It stands 133 meters tall and has long been an object of worship. It’s also said to have the greatest single-drop height in Japan. For reference, the three famous waterfalls are Nachi Falls, Kegon Falls, and Fukuroda Falls.

cat

At Kishi Station on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, a cat named Tama became famous as the stationmaster. Tourists from both Japan and abroad visited, helping to revitalize the local area. Even after her passing in 2015, she has remained known as the honorary eternal stationmaster.

Kii Peninsula

The Kii Peninsula is the largest peninsula in Japan, encompassing parts of Wakayama, Mie, Nara, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures. It is a region rich in history and nature, home to World Heritage Sites such as the Kii Mountain Range and the Kumano Kodo.

Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo is a collective term for the pilgrimage routes that people walked from all over Japan to reach the Kumano Sanzan, and it is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kumano Sanzan refers to the three shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha.

Oto Matsuri (Fire Festival)

The Oto Matsuri is a festival held every year on February 6 in Nachikatsuura. It is a heroic Shinto rite in which men dressed in white garments dash down the stone steps of Seiganto-ji on Mount Nachi. Carrying torches lit with sacred fire, they race down the steep 538 steps—an awe-inspiring sight.

small sea bream

Jakuzushi is a local dish from Wakayama and a traditional type of sushi made with small sea bream (kodai). It is said to be named because its puffed appearance resembles a sparrow. The vinegared small sea bream is combined with vinegared rice and pressed into oshizushi.