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In order to experience what Wakayama Prefecture has to offer, you must explore outside of the capital city of Wakayama.

However, the city itself does have several attractions; Wakayama Castle, a large temple called Kimiidera which is worth visiting - it boasts the largest wooden Buddha in Japan. There is also a fish market called Marina City, where you can eat fresh tuna. 

Wakayama city is best known for its castle. Walking around the castle is not as commercial as it would be in places like Osaka for example, and it is usually very peaceful. 
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Wakayama Castle

Wakayama Castle was built in 1585 under the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In the Edo period it flourished as an important base for the Tokugawa Clan, which turned out great numbers of generals.

Today the grounds contain the Ohashi Roka Bridge, Nishinomaru Teien Garden, and the Koshoan, a traditional Japanese teahouse where you can enjoy a cup of tea. The garden has a pleasant pond, a waterfall and is known for its autumn leaves.
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Wakayama Castle - Nishinomaru Garden

​With approximately 600 cherry trees, the castle is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in spring.

From inside the castle you get a good view of the city, and there are some small exhibits inside, showing some of the castle's understated history. Wakayama Castle is a 20 minutes’ walk from JR Wakayama Station or a 10 minutes’ walk from Nankai Wakayami-shi Station.

​There are buses from both places to Wakayama Castle Park entrance. Get off the bus at Koen-mae stop.

View From Wakayama Castle

​Kimiidera Temple was founded by a Chinese priest in 770. The temple is the second on the 33 temple Kannon Pilgrimage around the Kansai area known as the Saigoku Pilgrimage.

From the gate there is a steep climb of 231 steps known as Ketsuen, after a famous love story from the Edo Period. If you are coming to the temple from Kimiidera Station, it's possible to enter by a side entrance and climb to the temple up a gentler slope.
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Kimiidera Temple Gate

​At the top of the steps is the Rokkakudo, a six-sided building that contains 33 statues representing the different Kannons at all the Saigoku Pilgrimage temples.

Off to the right is a massive building, the Shinbutsuden, a mausoleum. In here you will find an impressive 11 meter tall statue of Senju Kannon, carved in wood then lacquered and covered in gold leaf. There are also numerous statues around the temple grounds.

Kimiidera Temple is located a short walk from JR Kimiidera Station on the Kisei Line, two stations south of Wakayama Station.
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Kimiidera Temple

​Wakayama is also famous for its fruits. In Japan, fruit picking is a popular activity among Japanese as well as tourists. 

The usual procedure is that you will be given 30 minutes to 1 hour of time to eat the fruits as many as you can at a fixed price “usually 800 to 3000 yen: depends on the type of fruits”. 

Wakayama Prefecture is particularly rich in temples and history, as is the entire Kansai region. It's not as famous as its neighbors Nara and Kyoto, but if you want to beat the crowds, you are sure to have a real Japan experience.
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Fruit Picking

Wakayama Access

​The Kuroshio Limited Express is a service that runs between Kyoto, Osaka and Wakayama Prefecture and has a stop at Wakayama Station as well as Shirahama Station.

In Osaka city you can board this train at Shin-Osaka Station and Tennoji Station.

Each day two Kuroshio trains make their first departure at Kyoto Station, but most services begin at Shin-Osaka Station. This service is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Wakayama Station

Passengers traveling from Kyoto may find it convenient to travel to Shin-Osaka Station first, and then transfer to a Kuroshio service. The JR West Timetable and Fare Finder can help you find the most suitable service.

If you would like to travel by bus Willer Express overnight buses run from Tokyo to Wakayama "takes about 11 hours".

Stop by Tourist Information Center to pickup a guidebook.
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Kimiidera Station

Wakayama Muslim Friendly Accommodation

Here as you see, there is only one Muslim friendly hotel in the area. For booking random hotels you can search with Hotels.com.

There are Vacation Rentals in the area which suit travelers who prefer to rent a living space, especially for larger groups, families or those who seek a more local, everyday life experience. If you are traveling light and looking for a more economical place to stay Hostels are a good option.

If you would like to rent a car use the search engine below and book a car in advance.  Fill out the details; pickup and drop-off places, date and time, and press search. You will be redirected to Rental Cars website where a list of available cars will be shown to you to choose from.
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Wakayama-shi - Wakayama Prefecture