Everything for your trip to Wakayama in one place: culture experiences, anime pilgrimage, power spots, events & festivals, attractions, onsen. Open any page for access, highlights and typical dates.
🛕 6 placesTohoku ・ Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kansai
A shukubo is lodging for pilgrims visiting a temple or shrine, where you can savor shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), join the morning service and experience a day in a place of prayer. You can stay in long-standing centers of faith such as Koyasan in Wakayama, Mt. Hiei in Shiga, Zenkoji and Togakushi in Nagano, and Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata.
🎬 13 placesTohoku・Tokyo & Around・Chubu & Hokuriku・Kansai・Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Aomori City, Aomori・Morioka City, Iwate・Awashimaura Village, Niigata
A university student who dreams of becoming a manga artist hits a creative wall and sets off on easygoing trips around Japan, choosing each destination by social media poll. The 88 Anime Spots selection includes all 13 prefectures the story visits: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Tochigi, Tokyo, Niigata, Toyama, Mie, Wakayama, Shimane, Hiroshima and Kagawa.
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Hongu, Tanabe, Wakayama
One of the Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano), regarded as the head shrine of all Kumano shrines in Japan. Wakayama Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a destination on a "power spot tour" from Ise Jingu to the Kumano Sanzan, and notes that Oyunohara, the shrine's former site, is also popular as a power spot.
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama
One of the Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano), which can be visited together with its separate shrine, Hiro Shrine, whose sacred body is Nachi Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. Wakayama Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a destination on a "power spot tour" of the Kumano Sanzan.
JulyKansai ・ Shirahama & Nanki
Every year on July 14 (held during the day; Yoimiya offering events are also held the day before, on the 13th)
2027: Jul 14 (held every year on July 14)
AugustKansai ・ Koyasan
Every year on August 13 (the candle festival runs from evening into the night; the Mando Kuyo-e memorial service starts at 20:00)
2027: Aug 13 (held every year on August 13)
ZooKansai ・ Shirahama, Wakayama
A theme park in Nanki-Shirahama that combines a zoo, an aquarium, and an amusement park. With Safari World for land animals, Marine World for sea creatures, a petting area, and the "Play Zone" amusement park, it easily fills a full day. All four giant pandas left for China in June 2025, so the highlights now center on penguins, the safari, and marine shows.
♨ Onsen
♨ OnsenKansai ・ Nachikatsuura, Wakayama
♨ Day use Adults ¥2,500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥1,250, towel included (as of October 2026)
🎫 Combo ticketMonthly temperatures, rain and what to wear are in our weather guide.
Itineraries, intercity routes and travel passes that cover several prefectures are listed under each of them.
