Wakanoura 5-hour Walk

This plan is to walk the Wakanoura area in Wakayama prefecture.
The area was designated as the Japan Heritage, “Treasure House of Scenic Beauty”.
We walk some spots overlooking the beautiful scenery and may be able to have a conversation with the locals.

Highlights of the Walk

Saikazaki Lighthouse

An ideal observatory.
You can enjoy a magnificent view of the Kii Channel.
Please breathe sea breeze deeply and feel vastness of the sky fully.
The place is designated as a part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park.

Saikazaki Area

After walking down a narrow downhill slope through houses to enter a fishing port with more than a 350-year history, you will see a picturesque scenery of fishing boats tied up in the harbor and private houses built close together on the hillside.

Takatsushiyama View Point

The observatory is on a 136-meter-high hill and it gives us wonderful 360-degree view of the urban area of Wakayama City, the sea of Wakaura Bay and mountains spread in the Kii Peninsula and so on.
It is the very core of “the Treasure House of Scenic Beauty, Wakaura.”

Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine

The Shinto shrine is dedicated to a deity of academic achievement.
It was founded about 1,050 years ago.
The present building built in 1606 is well-preserved and it astonishes many visitors with its mysterious sacred atmosphere.

Furobashi Bridge

The elaborate stone bridge is a symbol of Wakaura area.
It was constructed in 1851 in order to provide a special ceremonial path only for lords of the Kii (Wakayama) Domain who were members of three privileged branches of Tokugawa family.
You will see lovely reliefs on its surface.

Tamatsushima Shrine

About 1,300 years ago, an emperor visited Wakaura area.
He praised the beautiful scenery so much that he ordered waka poems composed there. He also posted keepers of the beautiful seashore. That was the beginning of the shrine dedicated to a deity of waka poetry.

Additional Option (Plus 1 hour)

If you are interested in experiencing some Japanese cultures, we can provide an additional plan to experience a formal visit to the Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine and calligraphy experience having some Matcha, green powdered tea.