Escape the Summer Heat at Wakayama, Japan
Journey to Wakayama, in southern Japan, and refresh your mind and spirit in the tranquil city of Tanabe, nestled amid the emerald mountains of the Kii Peninsula. This region is the gateway to the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. These trails lead you through centuries-old forests and crystal-clear streams, inviting a profound, almost timeless experience. Every step along the thousand-year-old stone paths becomes a journey inward, guiding you to sacred shrines, historic temples, and renowned waterfalls.
Beyond its cultural treasures, Wakayama offers natural delights to savor. Taste the sweet, sun-kissed Hidakagawa oranges, or enjoy the uniquely flavorful red salmon from the Kumano River. For those seeking a different kind of retreat, walking along the Kumano Kodo in Wakayama can feel like moving meditation — letting the whispers of leaves and the gentle breeze carry away your fatigue, leaving you refreshed and with a heart full of serenity.
Seiganto-ji Temple – The Starting Point of the Pilgrimage
There is no place more fitting to begin a profound journey than Seiganto-ji Temple, an ancient sanctuary over 1,700 years old, tucked within the lush greenery of the Kii Mountains. It serves as the sacred starting point of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, where the tranquility of nature and spirituality are deeply intertwined. Highlights include the Cho-do Hall, a three-story vermilion pagoda standing proudly beside Nachi Waterfall, reflecting timeless beauty and the harmonious fusion of Buddhism and Shinto. The temple not only captivates the eyes but also awakens the inner self, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of both body and spirit, like a gateway to enlightenment waiting to be discovered through faith and nature.
Before setting out along the pilgrimage, it is recommended to pause and experience the sacred waters flowing from Nachi Waterfall through the temple. Believed to purify both body and soul, these waters were traditionally used by pilgrims in rituals of cleansing before stepping onto the sacred path.
Address: 1520 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro, Wakayama 649-5301, Japan
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Nachi Falls – Meditation at the Sacred Waters
The silver curtain of Nachi Falls, cascading 133 meters from the cliff, is not only Japan’s tallest waterfall but also a sacred site believed to house Takigyo, the water deity who protects pilgrims. The ritual of “meditating beneath the waterfall” here is more than a simple mindfulness exercise—it is an act of surrender, returning the body to nature. At first, the crashing water may feel overwhelming, but as your mind stills, every drop becomes a rhythm of prayer. Distractions dissolve, leaving a pure awareness as clear as post-rain waters. Many say that Nachi Falls does not change you—it helps you reconnect with your true self.
Address: Nachi, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301, Japan
Nakahechi Trail – A Timeless Path, Every Step a Poem of the Spirit
Amid the serene Kii Mountains, the Nakahechi Trail of the Kumano Kodo still holds its sacred power. Centuries ago, emperors and nobles from Kyoto traveled these 70 kilometers of forest and villages over 4–5 days in search of spiritual enlightenment. Each step is a lesson in letting go—from the steep ascent of Hakomori Hill, testing perseverance, to Haso Hajime, where pilgrims purify their minds before beginning the journey. As evening shadows stretch across ancient stones, you realize this path is not just across mountains—it is a voyage into inner stillness, merging with the sacred natural world as whispers of the past echo with every step.
Address: Tanabe – Shingu, Wakayama, Japan
Kumano Sanzan – The Sacred Triad of the Kii Peninsula
The Kumano Sanzan, three sacred shrines along the Kumano Kodo, reflect deep faith and a history spanning over a thousand years. Start at Kumano Nachi Taisha, the vivid red shrine beside sacred Nachi Falls, where pilgrims offer Gohei paper charms to receive nature’s blessings. Next, Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Shingu’s bamboo forest enchants with red torii gates and millennium-old ginkgo trees, housing an ancient bronze mirror said to be a divine gift. Finally, Kumano Hongu Taisha, located on the Ohongu plain, features 158 stepping stones at the entrance, preparing pilgrims for spiritual reflection, alongside the Oyuna-hara sacred waters for purification. Highlights include the Harai water purification ritual, heart-shaped cypress charms, and Sansa traditional sweets capturing the essence of a spiritual journey in one bite.
Address: Nachikatsuura – Hongu, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301, Japan
Travel Tip: Beginners are recommended to start at Takijiri-oji, a small, quiet shrine marking the sacred entrance to the Kumano Kodo. Stop to rest at Yunomine Onsen, an 1,800-year-old hot spring historically used for purification, and explore the three hidden sacred bridges along the route, each symbolizing the passage from the human world to a spiritual realm.
Kamikura Jinja – 538 Steps to the Divine
Witness the first light of dawn over the 538 stone steps of Kamikura Jinja, ascending to the summit as a bridge between the human world and heaven. Every worn step, traced by countless pilgrims, leads to Gotobiki-iwa, a sacred rock where the Kumano deity is believed to descend. The narrow, steep climb through whispering forests may require hands-on support, but midway, glimpses of the red shrine rooftops emerge amid the trees. At the top, the expansive sky reveals the sacred rock and Shingu city stretching to the Seto Sea, washing away fatigue. At sunset, the sky turns copper-gold, illuminating the sacred stone as if alive, offering an immediate understanding of why this is a divine dwelling where humans witness the vastness of the universe alongside their own smallness.
Address: 1 Chome-13-8 Kamikura, Shingu, Wakayama 647-0081, Japan
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Yunomine Onsen – The Timeless Sacred Hot Spring
The historic village of Yunomine Onsen preserves a traditional Japanese onsen atmosphere over 1,800 years old and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. The highlight is Tsuboyu, the sacred golden hot spring bath at 90°C, rich in over ten minerals. Pilgrims believed immersion here purified sins. The ideal time is early morning when steam meets the first light. Limit bathing to 10–15 minutes, then enjoy local green tea at a riverside teahouse while watching autumn leaves float by, soaking in profound serenity.
Address: Yunomine Onsen, Kumano-yu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe, Wakayama 647-1717, Japan
Don’t Miss: The Nachi Fire Festival, held every July 14, is one of Japan’s oldest and most powerful fire festivals. The small town ignites with devotion as 50-kg torches are carried up the stone steps to Seiganto-ji Temple, accompanied by resonant drumbeats echoing through the valley—a heartbeat uniting the people of Kumano in a night of sacred celebration.
Local Dining Highlights
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Michi-no-Eki – A mountain kitchen telling stories through flavor
An oasis for traveling pilgrims, serving local ingredients from forests and rivers. Signature dishes include Shioyaki no Ayu (salt-grilled sweetfish), Yamabudo Miso Soup (wild grape miso soup), and Kumano Sansai Don (three-season mountain vegetable rice bowl), accompanied by green tea porridge, leaf-wrapped sushi, and local sake served on cypress trays. Surrounded by vintage wood tables and pilgrim photographs, every bite nourishes body and soul.
Address: 2474-1 Nakahechichō Fukusada, Tanabe, Wakayama 646-1402, Japan
Tel: +81 736 640 001
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Café Bonheur – A small haven of happiness along the pilgrimage route
Hidden beneath towering trees in Tanabe, this café invites you into a slow-life world with freshly roasted coffee and newly baked cakes infused with local pine aromas. Highlights include Yuzu Honey Cake and Kumano Matcha Latte. Relax on the wooden terrace while listening to the wind, explore the small library of Kumano Kodo stories, or send postcards from the special stamp corner, all accompanied by gentle classical music.
Address: 15-3 Takao, Tanabe, Wakayama 646-0028, Japan
Tel: +81 736 34 6303
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Japanese Cuisine Akihei – The sacred kitchen of the Kii Peninsula
A century-old restaurant hidden in Tanabe’s historic alleyways, preserving the spirit of welcoming pilgrims through four generations of culinary tradition. The aroma of kombu and bonito dashi fills the cypress kitchen. Signature dish: Sacred Ise Udon, thick wheat noodles from local flour cooked in Nachi Waterfall water, with sablefish bone broth, matsutake mushrooms, and onsen egg creating a creamy sauce, complemented by mountain vegetable salad. Open kitchen viewing, local sake in aged cypress barrels, and historic pilgrim photographs complete the experience.
Address: 5-9 Takao, Tanabe, Wakayama 646-0028, Japan
Tel: +81 736 22 1515
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Accommodations for Peaceful Nature Lovers
Hotel Kii Tanabe – A warm sanctuary in the valley of the spirit
Modern hotel near JR Tanabe Station, offering easy sightseeing access. Rooms are designed for mental restoration with Forest View, River Side, and Traditional Tatami styles. Breakfast features mountain vegetables and local fish with sunrise views. The lobby tea lounge allows chatting with pilgrimage experts and includes a library of maps and travel logs from pilgrims worldwide.
Address: 2 Chome-7-16 Takao, Tanabe, Wakayama
Website: hotel-kiitanabe.com
Kawayu Midoriya Ryokan – An onsen retreat crafted by nature
A historic ryokan along the Hotakagawa River offering serene, picturesque surroundings. Private onsen baths dug into the pebble riverside are filled with natural underground hot water. Guests can relax and enjoy kaiseki meals made from local ingredients.
Address: 13 Kawayu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama 647-1717, Japan
Website: urashimaresortsandspa.jp/wakayama-kawayumidoriya/
Minshuku WAGO – A Cozy Hideaway in an Ancient Onsen Village
A warm, traditional Japanese ryokan nestled in the heart of Yunomine Onsen, over 1,800 years old. Guests are welcomed with a homey atmosphere, simple yet comfortable rooms with tatami mats and soft futons, and the chance to soak in the onsen while experiencing local life. Dinner is homemade, prepared with fresh ingredients from nearby mountains and streams, such as salt-grilled fish and miso soup crafted from specially fermented beans. This stay offers a simple yet meaningful retreat, immersing visitors in authentic local culture and serene relaxation.
Address: 437 Shimoyukawa, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, 647-1734, Japan
Website: r.goope.jp/wagou-english
Embark on a spiritual journey to Wakayama Prefecture, discovering inner calm along the way. Immerse yourself in ancient temples, verdant nature, and a slow, tranquil lifestyle that rejuvenates the mind and reconnects you with your true self. This summer retreat promises a harmonious blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and mindful relaxation.
