This self-drive day trip takes you away from the urban bustle for a soul-cleansing journey that combines premium seafood, a thousand-year-old pilgrimage path, and magnificent waterfalls. Driving yourself offers the flexibility to weave between the mountains and the sea, experiencing the most authentic charm of Wakayama.
Nachi-Katsuura Fishing Port: The Ultimate Raw Tuna Experience
Visit Katsuura Fishing Port, which boasts the highest catch of “raw tuna” in all of Japan. We recommend booking the “Ultimate Raw Tuna Experience Tour” online. It is not just a visual treat but a deep cultural immersion into the world of Japanese craftsmanship.
Fish Market Tour & Tuna Carving Experience
The experience kicks off promptly at 7:00 AM! A guide will begin by sharing fascinating knowledge about tuna.
Then, you’ll head to the bustling auction area, where fishermen bid passionately on the freshest catch. Roles are distinguished by hat colors; for example, those in green hats are the bidders, who must quickly judge the freshness of the fish. Once a bid is won, the fish is immediately labeled, iced, and shipped fresh to various destinations!
After the auction, put on an apron and gloves for a hands-on session where an expert will teach you how to carve a massive chilled tuna, allowing you to experience the carving process yourself.
Taste Truly “Raw” Tuna Cuisine
“Unfrozen means true freshness!” Only tuna that has never been frozen can be called true “raw” tuna. The tuna carved moments ago is immediately served as a sashimi set meal.
A unique highlight is the fish bone left after carving—you can use a spoon to scrape the remaining meat directly off the bone for a taste. Its fresh, sweet flavor is unforgettable. The entire experience is both interesting and offers great value.
- Nachi-Katsuura Fishing Port
- Address: 7-12 Tsukiji, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
Bonus: Nigiwai-Ichiba
If you are still hungry after your meal, head to the adjacent market for more tuna delicacies! The shops offer everything from fresh tuna and cooked dishes to sushi, udon, bowls, and set meals, allowing you to buy and enjoy them on the spot.
- Nigiwai-Ichiba
- Address: 7-12 Tsukiji, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
After enjoying the fresh tuna, leave the port and head towards Mount Nachi.
Kumano Kodo: A Millennium Pilgrimage Path
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004, the Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage path with a thousand-year history. Towering trees and serene mountain views line the route, and the air is filled with a healing, sacred atmosphere that feels like stepping into a secluded paradise.
Heian Period Costume Experience: A Timeless Journey
At the Daimon-zaka Chaya, you can change into traditional Japanese Heian-era attire. Walking along the historic Kumano Kodo in ancient dress feels like traveling back a thousand years, turning your pilgrimage into an extraordinary, “other-worldly” experience.
- Heian Period Costume Experience
- Address: 392 Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture (Daimon-zaka Chaya)
Hiro-jinja Shrine: The Sensorial Impact of Nachi Falls (Nachi no Otaki)
Nachi Falls, the deity of Hiro-jinja Shrine, features a dramatic drop of 133 meters. It is not only one of Japan’s Three Famous Waterfalls but also the tallest single-drop waterfall in the country. The sight of the water plunging down the steep cliff is breathtaking. Standing near the falls, you can feel the mist and hear the thunderous roar, providing a truly immersive and magnificent experience.
- Hiro-jinja Shrine
- Address: 1 Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
Kumano Nachi Taisha: Center of Faith and the Divine Messenger Yatagarasu
Kumano Nachi Taisha is a vital center of the Kumano faith. Located in the same area as Seiganto-ji Temple and Nachi Falls, it is also part of the World Heritage site. The shrine grounds are filled with a solemn and sacred atmosphere.
You can find “Ema” (votive plaques) featuring the three-legged crow “Yatagarasu,” a divine messenger and symbol of guidance and luck in Japanese mythology.
Within the shrine, you can take a “Goma-gi” (prayer stick) or Ema and pass through the hollow of the “O-kusu”—a sacred camphor tree approximately 850 years old. This ritual, known as “Tainai Meguri” (womb circumambulation), symbolizes purification and rebirth, washing away troubles and leaving misfortune behind to pray for health and longevity.
- Kumano Nachi Taisha
- Address: Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
Seiganto-ji Temple: A Stunning Photo Spot
Adjacent to Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji is one of the oldest temples in the Kumano region. It offers a spectacular view of Nachi Falls and the surrounding primeval forest. The classic view of the solemn red three-story pagoda framed against the waterfall is an unforgettable, picture-perfect scene. The area also preserves many precious cultural properties and historical heritages.
- Seiganto-ji
- Address: 8 Nachisan, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
Additional Recommendation: Ki-no-Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
If you want to admire a breathtaking coastline that looks like a fairyland, a cruise on the “Ki-no-Matsushima Sightseeing Boat” is highly recommended. On this roughly 17-kilometer journey, you can feel the sea breeze while viewing magnificent cliffs carved by nature and the many uniquely shaped islands scattered across the water. The blue sky and emerald sea create a vast, poetic landscape that feels like a paradise on earth.
- Ki-no-Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
- Address: 442-20 Katsuura, Nachi-Katsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
The charm of Wakayama lies in its “slow-paced” composure. It is not just a feast for the eyes and palate, but a pilgrimage of deep dialogue with nature. If you want to escape the city’s noise, consider Wakayama for your next trip to Japan and let the spiritual energy of this hidden mountain and sea region recharge your journey.
