2025 Higashimuro District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Dating back over a thousand years, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine has been a place of pilgrimage for both locals and visitors seeking tranquility and divine blessings. The shrine itself has stunning architecture! The main hall, adorned with intricate woodwork and vibrant colors, showcases the finest craftsmanship of Japanese artisans. The harmonious blend of Shinto and Buddhist elements creates a unique and awe-inspiring atmosphere that will transport you to a different era. Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine is deeply intertwined with Japanese culture and traditions. It is one of the three sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines and holds a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people. Witnessing traditional rituals and festivals, such as the Nachi Fire Festival, will give you a deeper understanding of the country's rich heritage and customs. 📍 1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301

#travel #seascapes #thingstodo 2-Day Road Trip Itinerary: Coastal Wonders of Wakayama Day 1: Osaka to Shirahama – Sandanbeki Cliffs & Senjojiki Rocks Morning: Departure from Osaka • Start time: 7:30 AM • Distance: ~2.5 to 3 hours by car (approx. 200 km via Hanwa Expressway) • Tip: Grab breakfast and snacks for the road at a local convenience store. Midday: Sandanbeki Cliffs • Arrival: Around 11:00 AM • Highlights: • Towering 50-meter sea cliffs with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. • Explore the Sandanbeki Cave, historically used by Kumano pirates. • Feel the sea spray as waves crash against the rocks below—powerful and cinematic. • Admission (Cave): ~¥1,300 • Duration: 1–1.5 hours Lunch: Shirahama Beach Area • Try fresh seafood or a local favorite: Shirasu-don (whitebait rice bowl). • Suggested spot: Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama or a small coastal diner. Afternoon: Senjojiki Rocks • Just a 10-minute drive from Sandanbeki. • These dramatic, flat rock formations resemble a thousand tatami mats (“senjo”). • Perfect for golden-hour photography or simply soaking in the sea breeze. • Walk, climb, and sit on the layered sandstone slabs for an unforgettable seascape view. Evening: Shirahama Onsen • Stay overnight at a seaside ryokan or hotel with an ocean-view onsen. • Recommended: Kaiseki dinner featuring local seafood, including spiny lobster or abalone. • Enjoy a soak under the stars in an open-air bath with the sound of waves below. ⸻ Day 2: Shirahama to Kushimoto – Hashigui-iwa Rocks Morning: Drive to Hashigui-iwa Rocks • Departure: ~9:00 AM • Drive: ~1.5 hours (70 km along the scenic coastline) • Stop at lookouts along the way—the coastal roads here are jaw-dropping. Midday: Explore Hashigui-iwa Rocks • These “Bridge Pillar Rocks” are a stunning line of natural stone pillars stretching out into the sea. • At low tide, you can walk among them. • Legend says they were part of a bridge being built by a monk to reach Kii Oshima. • Great for photos, beachcombing, and marveling at geologic beauty. Lunch in Kushimoto • Visit the Kushimoto Marine Park for fresh seafood or grab lunch at a roadside station (“Michi-no-Eki”). • Don’t miss trying Katsuura tuna if available. Afternoon Options (Optional stop): • Visit Kushimoto Ohashi Bridge and Shionomisaki Lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Honshu. • Or relax at a seaside café before your return. Evening: Drive back to Osaka • Drive time: ~4 hours • Return by 7:00–8:00 PM, depending on your pace and stops. ⸻ Tips & Essentials • Rental car with ETC card is highly recommended. • Check tide schedules if you want to walk among the rocks at Hashigui-iwa. • Bring comfortable shoes with grip for rock areas. • Hav

#0yentrip I went to the Whale Museum in Wakayama Prefecture, where there is a marine aquarium called Marinarium! You can dive under the tanks where many dolphins are swimming and observe them. Why not go and check it out? ? #FuriTabiWinter 📍Address: 2934-2 Taiji, Taiji-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-5171

#Spring0yenTrip Kushimoto is a town rich in nature located at the southernmost tip of Honshu, and the seascape was very impressive. In particular, Hashikuiiwa, with its beautiful row of strange rocks standing on the coastline, was overwhelmed by the majestic scenery along with the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. Kushimoto is also rich in marine life, and Kushimoto Underwater Park is known as a place where you can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the crystal clear waters. When I actually visited, I was impressed by the beauty of nature, seeing the colorful fish and coral that spread out in the sea. In addition, part of the Kumano Kodo, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, passes through Kushimoto, and you can walk the historic pilgrimage route. The entire town is surrounded by nature and history, and it was a place where you could spend a relaxing time. Kushimoto, which has the charm of both the sea and the mountains, was the perfect place to spend a leisurely time.

Although the Kumano Kodo Trail is steep, it was snowing along the way. After walking through the snow, you will see spring scenery. It's like walking into a mountain and passing through four seasons. We chose to stay in Nachikatsuura that day. It is a small fishing village with the freshest tuna. The local cats are all fat. I guess the cats’ stomachs are full of baby fish😝

Day 4 of the colorful Kii Peninsula journey. After lunch at Yuyumarutei in Nanki Kushimoto Kanko SUN Marine, we continued our trip. I remember visiting Kushimoto Town several years ago, specifically going to Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost tip of Honshu, Japan, and being moved by the beautiful sunset. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I couldn't explore Kushimoto Town. This time, with a friend from Wakayama as our guide, we took the Kushimoto Loop Bus and visited several representative sightseeing spots. Kushimoto Town, the only town in Honshu located in the subtropical zone, boasts not only the beautiful Ramsar Convention-protected sea but also the majestic natural beauty of the World Heritage Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, strange rocks, and unusual stones. 🪧 Haiganto: Named after the famous scenic spot, Mount Kumgang, on the Korean Peninsula. The sight of huge waves crashing against the steep reefs is truly breathtaking. This location was also featured in the movie *The 1890 Maritime Disaster*. 🪧 Cape Shionomisaki: The southernmost tip of Honshu, Cape Shionomisaki features a vast lawn of approximately 100,000 square meters at its tip. Long ago, there was a naval watchtower here. The gentle curve of the vast Pacific Ocean before your eyes gives you a real sense of the Earth's roundness. This is also one of Japan's top 100 sunrise and sunset viewing spots. We were fortunate enough to witness a beautiful sunset that day. 🪧 Shionomisaki Tourist Tower: Standing 100 meters tall, the tower's 360-degree observation deck offers panoramic views of the lush green lawn and the azure sea. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Nachi in the distance. You can obtain a "Certificate of Visiting the Southernmost Tip of Honshu" at the tower, a rare travel souvenir. Opening hours are 9:00am–5:00pm. 🪧 Hashigui-iwa Rocks: Facing Oshima Island from Kushimoto, over 40 large and small rock pillars line up in the sea, stretching for about 850 meters. They are named Hashigui-iwa, meaning "bridge pier rocks," because their regular arrangement resembles bridge piers. Located within the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, they are designated as a national scenic spot and natural monument. We also visited the Kushimoto Marine Park, which I'd like to share separately. 📍 Address: 33 Kushimoto, Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture (address of the Nanki Kushimoto Tourist Association, located in the Kushimoto Station building) 🚃 Transportation: Take the JR Kinokuni Line to Kushimoto Station and transfer to the Kushimoto Loop Bus. Be sure to check the bus schedule carefully. 🚩 For details about the Kushimoto Loop Bus, please see Figures 17 and 18.

Enmanji Park Auto Campsite is a campsite rich in nature in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture 🏕️ Located in the mountains, it is a quiet environment surrounded by beautiful forests and rivers, and is popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts ☝🏽 Characteristics and attractions 1. An environment surrounded by nature Located in the mountains, you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons! At night, the sky is filled with stars, making it perfect for stargazing! 2. Fully equipped Auto camping site (AC powered areas available) Cottage/log house (air conditioning and heating) BBQ facilities, kitchen, toilets, hot water showers, etc. Hot spring facilities (Enmanji Onsen on the premises) You can relax in the hot springs after camping 3. Activities • Fishing: You can enjoy fishing for yamame and amago trout in the nearby river • Hiking: There are nature trails in the area, so you can enjoy forest bathing and exploring • Canoeing/water play: In summer, it's perfect to cool off in the river 📍Location: 216 Ono, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: All year round (but check in winter) 🕰️Opening hours: This is a campsite where you can relax and enjoy nature. #0yentravelJanuary2025

Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of the Kii Peninsula, so it's not easy to get to. It takes about three hours by train even from Osaka Station, the center of the Kansai region, so it's a difficult area to get to. Instead, you'll find a great deal of nature, far from the crowds. It's rare to see the crystal clear sea, the horizon that stretches out into the distance, and the sunrise rising from the sea. There are many sights to see just on the sea side, such as Cape Shionomisaki and Hashiguiiwa, and souvenirs and local food are cheap and delicious at roadside stations. There are probably about 10 sushi restaurants in town.

Located in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama, it's one of the main roads leading to two of the Kumano Sanzan. You can also take the mountain route. This spot is also one of the selected locations for the best sunrises and sunsets. When you visit Hashikui-iwa, you must buy an ice cream to take a photo with it. Doesn't it look alike? Besides using the restroom, the station also sells a lot of nice souvenirs. Feel free to take what you like, as you might not find the same items at the next stop.

About 3 minutes from Kyuura Gyoen Hotel Yuyuan Hotel is the premier sea-view hot spring hotel in the area. Even the most economical Japanese-style rooms here, you can enjoy the infinite beauty, although the hot springs here. Not as famous as Shirahama, the beauty of the window is still full of charm. The size and details of the room are more spacious and comfortable than the hot spring hotel in Shirahama. The sumptuous dinner at the cafeteria is mouth watering.