Top Things to do in Wakayama Prefecture
Top Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture
Things to do in Wakayama Prefecture, Kinki: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan including Koyasan Okunoin, Usa Hachiman Shrine, Kongobu-ji Temple, Koyasan Danjo Garan, Negoro-ji Temple, Dojoji Temple, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kamikura Shrine, Seigantoji Temple, Kumano Nachi Taisha.
Restaurants in Wakayama Prefecture
1. Koyasan Okunoin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,261 reviews
Reviewed By ggm96822 - Honolulu, United States
A place to let your soul re-awaken. Having last stayed in a monastery here 19 years ago, before it was added to the World Heritage list, I was apprehensive about returning, having heard of busloads of noisy tourists overunning everything, but it defies defilement; one of the world's truly sacred spaces. Early morning and dusk are the best time to visit, early there are monks chanting, at dusk as the shadows fall the 200,000 tombs of the cedar forest begin to stir quietly.
2. Usa Hachiman Shrine
3. Kongobu-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 504 reviews
Reviewed By AB_Stb_OZ - Oud-Zuilen, The Netherlands
Kongobu-ji temple is the center of the Shogun Buddhist community. There are many temples and subtemples and there is an interesting (huge) Zen Garden. Staff is highly accomodating to visitors.
4. Koyasan Danjo Garan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
Reviewed By ggm96822 - Honolulu, United States
This is the spot where Kobo Daishi found the vajra he had hurled to determine where to build a monastery, 1200 years ago. Around twenty beautiful temples and pagodas, including the bright vermillion "great pagoda," Konpon Daito, rebuilt in the 1930s and kept freshly painted. Early in the morning, there are monks chanting in the Kondo (the main pavilion) and the 'no entry' apparently only applies to tour groups, a monk nodded me in without any objection.
5. Negoro-ji Temple
6. Dojoji Temple
7. Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 545 reviews
Reviewed By Maya762015 - Le Havre, France
This shrine is very nice and even 3 of 5 parts are from origin (saved by the flood) , this worth it to come. You can smell the tree odor in this shrine. Roof are amazing
8. Kamikura Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Intending to visit the Kii Peninsular for a few days in mid-July, I initially toyed with the idea of walking the full Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. Given my age (late 60's), a lack of overall fitness following some serious medical issues and the prevailing heat and humidity at this time of year, common sense eventually prevailed and I opted for a few less strenuous days in Wakayama and Takamatsu respectively. Not prepared to give-up entirely on the Kumano; whilst in Wakayama, I thought I would extract some value from my 5-day JR Rail Pass and make the lengthy (3-hrs each way by Limited Express Kuroshio) but very scenic journey to Shingu. Arriving in Shingu, I first called-in at the Shingu City Tourist Information Centre (located immediately opposite the entrance to the JR Station) and picked-up a very useful 'Walking Map of Shingu' (available in various languages) which suggested a walking route which takes in all three Shingu Shrines. The suggested route of approx. 6km has an estimated completion time of 80mins, and talks in terms of 40mins to ascend/descend to/from the Kamikura Jinja Shrine. With temperatures in the 30's (deg C) and my phone app reading "feels like 43 deg", I opted to tackle the 'difficult' climb up to the Kamikura Jinja Shrine first. The description of "538 steep stone steps" is slightly misleading in that rather than even, consistent steps, these are rough hewn stones where the rise can vary anywhere from 100mm to 400mm. For me the ascent was beyond 'difficult', through 'gruelling' and into the 'brutal' category! You definitely need to make use of one of the walking sticks kindly left at the base by other travellers. With frequent stops every few metres to towel-down, take-on water or converse with other foreigners (I think everybody I met took the opportunity to stop and talk a while .... anything to take a break from this arduous climb!), the ascent alone must have taken the best part of an hour. On reaching the top, although only around 100m above the starting point, I felt the tremendous elation of a full cardio workout with tremendous views as a bonus. By the time I had carefully descended, it was time to head back to the JR Station to catch my train back to Wakayama. Although I missed out this day on the other Shingu Shrines, I was hardly disappointed after such a challenging experience.
9. Seigantoji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By Brisbane41 - Newcastle, Australia
This place encompases many to see in one day and they are all close together and can be done in 2 to 3 hours easily with good fitness. To get here from Kii-Katsuura Station just walk to the bus shelter and purchase a round ticket to Nachi-San and the bus will take you directly here. There are many nearby walking trails and other religious shrines that all share the backdrop of Nachi Falls. It is a photographers dream and is the place where you get all those stunning photos that make your friends at home jealous. It is also a peaceful and serene place. There are food stalls and souvenir shops also available.
10. Kumano Nachi Taisha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States
If not coming from Wakayama, it can be a full day to get here, BUT worth it if (as I had) not much tourists and a beautiful day. Wear comfortable shoes if you want to see more than the view off the bus.
