10 things to do in Wakayama

Checked 15 November 2026 · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada

1. 01
   Saigen Jiro / CC0
   See~2.5hNeeds a 4.5-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth to the Ichinohashi gate, 4.9 km, about 7 min and ¥2,150 each way, our estimate; 15 min on foot from Nankai Wakayamashi StationGoogle Maps
2. 02
   Yanajin33 / CC BY-SA 3.0
   See~3hNeeds a 5-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth to Wakayama Marina City, 10.7 km, about 15 min and ¥4,550 each way, our estimateGoogle Maps
3. 03
   暇・カキコ / CC BY-SA 4.0
   See~4.5hNeeds a 6.5-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth to JR Wakayama Station, 6.6 km, about 9 min and ¥2,850, our estimate; then the Kishigawa Line from platform 9, about 30 min, ¥480Google Maps
4. 04
   Hiroaki Kaneko / CC BY-SA 3.0
   See~2.5hNeeds a 4.5-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth, 6.7 km, about 9 min and ¥2,850 each way, our estimateGoogle Maps
5. 05
   663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0
   See~2.5hNeeds a 4.5-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth to Furobashi, 4.8 km, about 6 min and ¥2,150 each way, our estimateGoogle Maps
6. 06
   663highland / CC BY 2.5
   See~2hNeeds a 4-hour call

   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.

   Inside the castle grounds; taxi from the berth about 7 min and ¥2,150, our estimateGoogle Maps
7. 07
   Sakumata / CC0
   Eat~2hNeeds a 4-hour call

   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.

   Taxi from the berth to Ide Shoten, 6.0 km, about 8 min and ¥2,650, our estimate; 9 min on foot from Wakayama StationGoogle Maps
8. 08
   MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0
   See~4.5hNeeds a 6.5-hour call

   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.

   From platform 9 of JR Wakayama Station; taxi from the berth about 9 min, our estimateGoogle Maps
9. 09
   Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0
   See~7hNeeds a 9-hour call

   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.

   Hired car, or a ship’s tour if one is offered: 59 km, about 1 h 30 min each way; taxi about ¥23,850 each way, our estimateGoogle Maps
10. 10
    Tomaž Vajngerl / CC BY-SA 3.0
    See~7hNeeds a 9-hour call

    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.

    By car to Koyasan, about 1 h 30 min each way; then about 25 min on foot from Kongobuji to the Ichinohashi entrance, our estimateGoogle Maps