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Plan your day · Wakayama

How long are you ashore in Wakayama?

Pick your hours and get a finished day, every step timed from the gangway and back.

Photo: Wak89 / CC BY-SA 3.0
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PORT OF JAPAN — Port Day Sheet
Wakayama

Shore plans, timed from official timetables and our estimates · port-of-japan.com/wakayama/ · Checked

Finished days

Your day in Wakayama, hour by hour

Pick the one that fits your call. Times count from the moment you step off, and every plan is back on board an hour before all-aboard.

Wakayama Castle, Wakayama
Photo: Saigen Jiro / CC0
For a 5-hour call or longer · 3 hr door to door

Wakayama Castle and the Momijidani garden

Any call: the keep closes on 29–31 December and on occasional days the castle announces on its site

Fits a 5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

  1. +0:00
    Taxi from the quay to the castle’s Ichinohashi gate (4.9 km, about 7 min — our estimate)

    A taxi rank on the quay is not confirmed: ask at the city’s information desk by the gangway, or take the ship’s shuttle if it runs one

  2. +0:20
    Walk up to the keep, about 9 min uphill (our estimate)
  3. +0:30
    Wakayama Castle keep

    9:00–17:30, last entry 17:00; adult ¥410, child ¥200

  4. +1:30
    Down to the Momijidani garden and the Ohashi-roka covered bridge

    Both free, 9:00–17:00, entry to 16:45

  5. +2:15
    Taxi back to the quay (about 7 min, our estimate)

    A rank at the castle is not confirmed. City buses run from Wakayamajo-mae to JR Wakayama Station in about 10 min, where taxis wait

  6. +2:45
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Short of time? Skip the climb: the garden, the bridge and the view of the keep from the moat take 40 minutes on the flat.

Transport spend: taxi both ways, about ¥4,300 for the car, our estimate. Keep ¥410; garden and covered bridge free. Full route, map and photos

Kimiidera, Wakayama
Photo: Hiroaki Kaneko / CC BY-SA 3.0
For an 8-hour call or longer · 6 hr door to door

The south shore: Kimiidera, Wakaura and the tuna show

Calls of 8 hours or more, any day. Times assume 08:30 off the ship and the 12:30 show; on weekends and holidays there is an 11:00 show too

Fits an 8-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

Wakaura: Furobashi and Kishu Toshogu, Wakayama
Furobashi bridge and Tamatsushima Shrine, then about 15 min on foot to Kishu ToshoguPhoto: 663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0
Tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market, Wakayama
Kuroshio MarketPhoto: Yanajin33 / CC BY-SA 3.0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi to Kimiidera (6.7 km, about 9 min — our estimate)

    About ¥2,850

  2. +0:20
    Kimiidera: cable car or the stone steps to the main hall and the view over Wakaura Bay

    Cable car 8:30–16:30; walking up is free on the temple’s fee table

  3. +1:30
    Taxi to Furobashi (2.4 km, about 4 min)

    About ¥1,150. Ask the first driver to wait or to come back: a rank at the temple is not confirmed

  4. +1:40
    Furobashi bridge and Tamatsushima Shrine, then about 15 min on foot to Kishu Toshogu

    Toshogu 9:00–16:30, ¥300; 108 stone steps, with a gentler stair to the left

  5. +2:50
    Taxi to Kuroshio Market (7.4 km, about 9 min)

    About ¥3,150

  6. +3:10
    Kuroshio Market: lunch, then the 12:30 tuna-cutting show

    Market 10:00–17:00; food court 11:00–16:30; barbecue 11:00–17:00

  7. +4:40
    Taxi back to the quay (10.7 km, about 15 min)

    About ¥4,550

  8. +5:10
    Back at the gangway

    On an 08:00–16:00 call that is 13:40: fifty minutes before 14:30, the hour before a 15:30 all-aboard

Running late at Wakaura? Drop Kishu Toshogu and go straight to the market: the show does not wait. On a 07:00 arrival, do the market last and the 12:30 show still fits.

Transport spend: four taxi legs, about ¥11,700 for the car, our estimate. Kimiidera cable car ¥400 + ¥200 each way; Kishu Toshogu ¥300. Full route, map and photos

The designer trains of the Kishigawa Line, Wakayama
Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0
For a 9-hour call or longer · 7 hr door to door

The cat stationmaster of Kishi, ramen and the castle

Calls of 9 hours or more. Yontama is on duty Friday to Tuesday; on Wednesdays and Thursdays the candidate Rokutama sits in. Times assume 09:30 off the ship

Fits a 9-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

Kishi Station and the cat stationmaster, Wakayama
Kishi StationPhoto: 暇・カキコ / CC BY-SA 4.0
Wakayama Castle, Wakayama
Castle keep and the Momijidani gardenPhoto: Saigen Jiro / CC0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi to JR Wakayama Station (6.6 km, about 9 min — our estimate)

    About ¥2,850

  2. +0:30
    Kishigawa Line from platform 9 to Kishi, about 30 min

    Two trains an hour. ¥480; cash only, no IC cards. Buy at the platform 9 window

  3. +1:00
    Kishi Station: the stationmaster’s room, the Tama shrine on the platform, the café

    Cats on duty 10:00–16:00, behind glass; they may be absent. Tama Café 10:00–16:00, shop to 16:30

  4. +2:00
    Train back to Wakayama, about 30 min

    From Kishi at 11:36 on weekdays, 11:38 on weekends, if you left the ship at 09:30; then every 30 min

  5. +2:40
    Walk 9 min to Ide Shoten for Wakayama ramen

    Hours not confirmed; if it is shut, eat in the station building

  6. +3:40
    Taxi (2.3 km, about ¥1,150), city bus (about 10 min) or about 25 min on foot to Wakayama Castle
  7. +4:00
    Castle keep and the Momijidani garden

    Keep 9:00–17:30, ¥410; garden free to 17:00

  8. +6:00
    Taxi back to the quay (about 7 min, our estimate)

    About ¥2,150

  9. +6:30
    Back at the gangway

    On a 09:00–18:00 call that is 16:00, half an hour to spare

Running late? On an 8-hour call drop the castle: Kishi and ramen alone take about four and a half hours. Missed a train at Kishi? The next is 30 minutes behind it.

Transport spend: taxi about ¥2,850 out and ¥2,150 back, our estimates; train ¥480 each way or ¥1,200 for the day pass; taxi from the station to the castle about ¥1,150. Keep ¥410. Full route, map and photos

Tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market, Wakayama
Photo: Yanajin33 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Rainy day · 4 hr 30 min door to door

Under cover: the castle keep and Kuroshio Market

A wet day on any call. The climb to the keep, about 9 minutes, is the only part in the open

Fits a 6.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

  1. +0:00
    Taxi to Wakayama Castle (about 7 min, our estimate)
  2. +0:20
    The keep, then the Wakayama Historical Museum at the foot of the hill

    Keep 9:00–17:30, ¥410; museum 9:00–17:30, ¥100

  3. +2:00
    Taxi to Kuroshio Market (11.2 km, about 15 min)

    About ¥4,650

  4. +2:20
    Lunch inside the market and the 12:30 or 15:00 tuna-cutting show

    Market 10:00–17:00; food court 11:00–16:30

  5. +3:50
    Taxi back to the quay (about 15 min)

    About ¥4,550

  6. +4:20
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Heavy rain? Swap the keep for the train to Kishi: the platform, the train and the station café are all under a roof.

Transport spend: taxi about ¥2,150 to the castle, ¥4,650 on to the market and ¥4,550 back, our estimates. Keep ¥410; Wakayama Historical Museum ¥100. Full route, map and photos

What you can do

What fits your hours in Wakayama

Everything here is a round trip from the gangway. The half hour to get off and the hour before all-aboard are already set aside. Tap what you want.

Wakayama Castle, WakayamaSee · 2h 30m round trip

Wakayama Castle

The white keep stands on a hill in the middle of the city, about nine minutes’ climb from the gate. It is open 9:00–17:30, last entry 17:00, adult ¥410, child ¥200. It closes on 29–31 December and on occasional days announced on the castle’s site, such as 9 December 2026. On call days city volunteers have run an information desk and free guiding at the castle in the morning.

~2.5hSee the detail
Tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market, WakayamaSee · 3h round trip

Tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market

A whole tuna is cut up in front of the crowd every day at 12:30 and 15:00, and at 11:00 as well on weekends and holidays. The cuts go on sale at once as blocks, sushi and rice bowls. The market is open 10:00–17:00 and its food court 11:00–16:30; hours vary by season, so check its calendar.

~3hSee the detail
Kishi Station and the cat stationmaster, WakayamaSee · 4h 30m round trip

Kishi Station and the cat stationmaster

Yontama is the stationmaster of Kishi. The railway’s roster in November 2026 has her on duty 10:00–16:00, off on Wednesdays and Thursdays, when the candidate Rokutama sits in. The cats stay behind glass and can be absent. Tama, the first stationmaster, has a shrine on the platform. Trains run twice an hour; the line takes cash only, and a 1-day pass is ¥1,200.

~4.5hSee the detail
Kimiidera, WakayamaSee · 2h 30m round trip

Kimiidera

A temple on the hillside above Wakaura Bay, with a vermilion pagoda among cherry trees. A cable car runs from the foot to the main hall, 8:30–16:30: admission ¥400 plus ¥200 each way. On the temple’s fee table, pilgrims who climb the stone steps pay nothing. The Buddha hall’s viewing gallery is open 8:30–16:30.

~2.5hSee the detail
Wakaura: Furobashi and Kishu Toshogu, WakayamaSee · 2h 30m round trip

Wakaura: Furobashi and Kishu Toshogu

Furobashi is a stone arch bridge over the tidal channel at Wakaura, beside Tamatsushima Shrine; both are open ground and free. Kishu Toshogu is about 15 minutes away on foot by our estimate, at the top of 108 stone steps, with a gentler stair to the left: 9:00–16:30, adult ¥300. Its gate looks back over the bay.

~2.5hSee the detail
Momijidani garden at Wakayama Castle, WakayamaSee · 2h round trip

Momijidani garden at Wakayama Castle

The Nishinomaru garden, called Momijidani, lies in the moat valley below the keep, with a pavilion standing in the pond. It is free, 9:00–17:00, entry to 16:45, and closed 29–31 December. The Ohashi-roka covered bridge beside it is free too. The tea house Koshoan serves matcha for a fee, 9:00–16:30.

~2hSee the detail
Wakayama ramen, WakayamaEat · 2h round trip

Wakayama ramen

Wakayama’s ramen is called chuka soba: thin noodles in a soy and pork-bone broth. The Japan Tourism Agency’s page for this port names it as the local dish. Ide Shoten, near JR Wakayama Station, is the best-known shop; its hours and closing days are not confirmed, so check on the day.

~2hSee the detail
The designer trains of the Kishigawa Line, WakayamaSee · 4h 30m round trip

The designer trains of the Kishigawa Line

The railway runs themed trains on the 14.3 km to Kishi: the Tama train, the Tama Densha Museum train in the photograph, the Ichigo (strawberry) train, the Umeboshi train and a Chuggington train. Which one runs when is on the railway’s day-by-day timetable. The fare is the same on all: ¥480 to Kishi, or ¥1,200 for the day.

~4.5hSee the detail
Koyasan: Kongobuji and the Danjo Garan, WakayamaSee · 7h round trip

Koyasan: Kongobuji and the Danjo Garan

The mountain monastery town of Shingon Buddhism. Kongobuji, the head temple, is open 8:30–17:00, entry to 16:30, ¥1,000; the Kondo and the vermilion Konpon Daito are ¥500 each. It needs a car and a call of nine hours or more. By train it is about 2 h 20 min each way from Wakayama Station, which no call listed for 2027 allows.

~7hSee the detail
Okunoin, Koyasan, WakayamaSee · 7h round trip

Okunoin, Koyasan

A path under old cedars past thousands of stone lanterns and graves, ending at the Torodo lantern hall, open 6:00–17:00. Walking it is free. It is the second half of a Koyasan day, so the same rule applies: by car, or a ship’s tour if one is offered, on a long call.

~7hSee the detail

Round trips are counted from the gangway and include getting back. Two stops in the same direction overlap, so a real day usually comes in under the total you see, never over it.

Every ride from this berth

Getting around Wakayama

Every port
TAXI

Taxi to Wakayama Castle and the stations

Wakayama tariff from 16 Mar 2026: ¥650 for the first 1.2 km, then ¥100 per 250 m · Berth → castle about ¥2,150, → JR Wakayama about ¥2,850 — our estimates on distance aloneFree-flow times; the time charge and night surcharge are not included
How to get there
  1. A taxi rank on the quay is not confirmed; ask at the city’s information desk by the gangway
  2. Berth → Wakayama Castle (Ichinohashi gate) 4.9 km, about 7 min; → Nankai Wakayamashi Station 4.7 km, 6 min; → JR Wakayama Station 6.6 km, 9 min — our estimates, free-flow
  3. Back: allow 1.2 to 1.5 times these times in traffic

Our estimates use OSRM drive distances and the distance tariff only. From the castle, JR Wakayama Station is 2.3 km, about ¥1,150 by taxi or about 25 min on foot.

Today's times in Google Maps
TAXI

Kimiidera, Wakaura and Kuroshio Market

Berth → Wakaura about ¥2,150, → Kimiidera about ¥2,850, → Kuroshio Market about ¥4,550; Kimiidera → Kuroshio Market about ¥2,450 — our estimates · Kimiidera cable car ¥400 + ¥200 each way · Kishu Toshogu ¥300Tuna-cutting show 12:30 and 15:00 every day, also 11:00 on weekends and holidays
How to get there
  1. Berth → Furobashi and Tamatsushima Shrine 4.8 km, about 6 min; → Kishu Toshogu 4.7 km, 7 min; → Kimiidera 6.7 km, 9 min; → Kuroshio Market 10.7 km, about 15 min — our estimates, free-flow
  2. Between them: Tamatsushima → Kimiidera 2.4 km, 4 min; Kimiidera → Kuroshio Market 5.5 km, 8 min; Kishu Toshogu → Tamatsushima about 15 min on foot
  3. Kuroshio Market → berth 10.7 km, about 15 min

Marina City’s own page sends visitors by Wakayama Bus from JR Wakayama or Nankai Wakayamashi Station; its times and fares were not checked. Taxi ranks at the temple and the market are not confirmed: ask the driver to wait or agree a pick-up time.

Today's times in Google Maps
TRAIN

Kishi Station by the Kishigawa Line

Wakayama → Kishi ¥480 each way, child ¥240 · 1-day pass ¥1,200, child ¥600 · IC cards cannot be used on the line: carry cashTwo trains an hour in the daytime (timetable rev. 13 Mar 2021, leaflet of July 2026)No Suica — coins
How to get there
  1. Taxi from the berth to JR Wakayama Station: 6.6 km, about 9 min, about ¥2,850 (our estimate)
  2. Wakayama Electric Railway from platform 9, inside the JR station: 14.3 km to Kishi, about 30 min, two trains an hour in the daytime
  3. Back the same way; the cats are on duty 10:00–16:00

Buy the ticket or the day pass at the platform 9 window. Yontama is on duty at Kishi except Wednesdays and Thursdays; Gotama is at Idakiso Station, on the same line, except Mondays and Fridays. Kishi has no car park, so do not take a taxi all the way and expect it to wait.

Today's times in Google Maps
TRAIN

Nankai train from Wakayamako Station

Wakayamako → Wakayamashi ¥180 (Nankai fare search)About a dozen trains a day, connecting with the Nankai Ferry (timetable of 21 Dec 2024)
How to get there
  1. Walk 20 min to Nankai Wakayamako Station (city and prefecture figure), or 5 min by taxi
  2. To Wakayamashi: 2.8 km. Weekdays 08:00, 08:22, 10:23, 13:14, 13:35, 15:50, 16:15; weekends and holidays 08:23, 10:23, 13:14, 13:35, 15:50, 16:15
  3. Back from Wakayamashi: weekdays 13:05, 13:24, 15:39, 16:03, 17:30; weekends 13:05, 13:24, 15:41, 16:05. The castle is 15 min on foot from Wakayamashi Station

The station is unstaffed and the platforms are up stairs on the 3rd floor. With so few trains, treat it as a bonus on the way out, not as the way back.

Today's times in Google Maps
TAXI

Koyasan

Taxi about ¥23,850 each way, our estimate · Kongobuji ¥1,000 · Kondo and Konpon Daito ¥500 each · Okunoin freeKongobuji 8:30–17:00, entry to 16:30 · Okunoin Torodo 6:00–17:00
How to get there
  1. Berth → Kongobuji 59 km: about 55 min free-flow by our routing, so allow about 1 h 30 min on the mountain road
  2. On the mountain: Daimon → Kongobuji about 20 min on foot; Kongobuji → Okunoin (Ichinohashi) about 25 min on foot — our estimates
  3. Back the same way: leave the mountain 2 h 30 min before all-aboard

By train it is about 2 h 20 min each way from Wakayama Station via Hashimoto (the figure on Kimiidera’s access page), which leaves no time on the mountain on any 2027 call. A hired car or the ship’s tour is the only practical way.

Today's times in Google Maps
The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard — every day above already banks it. Phones auto-switch to local time, but all-aboard runs on ship time. Check the daily programme's clock, not your lock screen. More to pick from on the Wakayama guide and the Top 10.

Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada

MY SHIP DAY — fill this in before you walk off
Ship
Date
Docked at (berth)
All-aboard (SHIP time)
My deadline = all-aboard − 60 min
Last shuttle back

Phones auto-switch to local time; all-aboard runs on ship time. Write both if they differ.

GETTING AROUND — the facts that don't change by day (today's times: ship's programme or Google Maps)

Taxi to Wakayama Castle and the stations: ① A taxi rank on the quay is not confirmed; ask at the city’s information desk by the gangway ② Berth → Wakayama Castle (Ichinohashi gate) 4.9 km, about 7 min; → Nankai Wakayamashi Station 4.7 km, 6 min; → JR Wakayama Station 6.6 km, 9 min — our estimates, free-flow ③ Back: allow 1.2 to 1.5 times these times in traffic Fare Wakayama tariff from 16 Mar 2026: ¥650 for the first 1.2 km, then ¥100 per 250 m · Berth → castle about ¥2,150, → JR Wakayama about ¥2,850 — our estimates on distance alone. Free-flow times; the time charge and night surcharge are not included.

Kimiidera, Wakaura and Kuroshio Market: ① Berth → Furobashi and Tamatsushima Shrine 4.8 km, about 6 min; → Kishu Toshogu 4.7 km, 7 min; → Kimiidera 6.7 km, 9 min; → Kuroshio Market 10.7 km, about 15 min — our estimates, free-flow ② Between them: Tamatsushima → Kimiidera 2.4 km, 4 min; Kimiidera → Kuroshio Market 5.5 km, 8 min; Kishu Toshogu → Tamatsushima about 15 min on foot ③ Kuroshio Market → berth 10.7 km, about 15 min Fare Berth → Wakaura about ¥2,150, → Kimiidera about ¥2,850, → Kuroshio Market about ¥4,550; Kimiidera → Kuroshio Market about ¥2,450 — our estimates · Kimiidera cable car ¥400 + ¥200 each way · Kishu Toshogu ¥300. Tuna-cutting show 12:30 and 15:00 every day, also 11:00 on weekends and holidays.

Kishi Station by the Kishigawa Line: ① Taxi from the berth to JR Wakayama Station: 6.6 km, about 9 min, about ¥2,850 (our estimate) ② Wakayama Electric Railway from platform 9, inside the JR station: 14.3 km to Kishi, about 30 min, two trains an hour in the daytime ③ Back the same way; the cats are on duty 10:00–16:00 Fare Wakayama → Kishi ¥480 each way, child ¥240 · 1-day pass ¥1,200, child ¥600 · IC cards cannot be used on the line: carry cash. Two trains an hour in the daytime (timetable rev. 13 Mar 2021, leaflet of July 2026).

Nankai train from Wakayamako Station: ① Walk 20 min to Nankai Wakayamako Station (city and prefecture figure), or 5 min by taxi ② To Wakayamashi: 2.8 km. Weekdays 08:00, 08:22, 10:23, 13:14, 13:35, 15:50, 16:15; weekends and holidays 08:23, 10:23, 13:14, 13:35, 15:50, 16:15 ③ Back from Wakayamashi: weekdays 13:05, 13:24, 15:39, 16:03, 17:30; weekends 13:05, 13:24, 15:41, 16:05. The castle is 15 min on foot from Wakayamashi Station Fare Wakayamako → Wakayamashi ¥180 (Nankai fare search). About a dozen trains a day, connecting with the Nankai Ferry (timetable of 21 Dec 2024).

Koyasan: ① Berth → Kongobuji 59 km: about 55 min free-flow by our routing, so allow about 1 h 30 min on the mountain road ② On the mountain: Daimon → Kongobuji about 20 min on foot; Kongobuji → Okunoin (Ichinohashi) about 25 min on foot — our estimates ③ Back the same way: leave the mountain 2 h 30 min before all-aboard Fare Taxi about ¥23,850 each way, our estimate · Kongobuji ¥1,000 · Kondo and Konpon Daito ¥500 each · Okunoin free. Kongobuji 8:30–17:00, entry to 16:30 · Okunoin Torodo 6:00–17:00.

SHOW THIS TO A TAXI DRIVER — 運転手さんへ
Wakayama-Shimotsu Port, Nishihama Wharf No.5 (cruise ship)和歌山下津港 西浜第5岸壁（クルーズ船）までお願いします
Wakayama Castle和歌山城
Tuna-cutting show at Kuroshio Market黒潮市場
Kishi Station and the cat stationmaster貴志駅
Kimiidera紀三井寺
Koyasan: Kongobuji and the Danjo Garan金剛峯寺

Point at a line. Taxis are metered and honest; tipping is not expected in Japan.

The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard — every plan above already banks it. · Free guide: port-of-japan.com/wakayama/ · By Takumi Yamada, Tokyo, Japan
Everything in one pageThe complete Wakayama guide: berth, into town, your hours, tours that fitOpen the complete guide →