Wakayama Living Guide: Best Cities & Popular Tourist Spots

Wakayama Prefecture is located on the southwest side of Kii Peninsula in Kinki region, which is the largest peninsula in Japan. The prefectural capital is Wakayama. It faces the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Adjacent prefectures are Nara and Mie to the east and Osaka to the north. Because of the abundance of nature and the mild climate throughout the year, agriculture is flourishing in the area. In addition, the fishing industry is also thriving.

With its sacred places, historic sites, fantastic beaches, relaxing hot springs, delicious food, and more, Wakayama Prefecture has a lot to offer to its visitors and residents. If you are looking for a vacation or relocation destination in Japan, be sure to check this this guide as we will cover Wakayama Prefecture including some of the best cities to live in as well as tourist spots that would be exciting to explore.

Why People Love Wakayama

Rich Nature and Sightseeing

From exploring Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes to relaxing on the white sand beach of Shirarahama or soaking in a hot spring with more than 1300 years of history, Wakayama with its beautiful nature and outdoor activities won't disappoint its visitors and residents. Wakayama boasts plenty of spots that would be exciting to explore including Mount Koya, which is a sacred Buddhist site with more than 1200 years of history, the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan, and more.

Flourishing Agriculture

Known as the "Kingdom of Fruit Trees" for its large production of fruits, Wakayama boasts the largest production of persimmons, tangerines, plums, hassaku, and more in Japan.

Best Cities to Live in Wakayama

Wakayama Prefecture has various cities that would make for a great relocation destination in Japan.

Wakayama - Prefectural Capital

Wakayama is the capital of Wakayama Prefecture and its most populated city. If you would like to live away from the hustle and bustle of a big city while still enjoying the conveniences of city life, Wakayama is definitely worth considering. With 5 beaches located in the city, it is also a wonderful destination for those of us who enjoy basking in the sun or participating in water activities at sea. It also offers great access to Osaka taking around an hour by train. Furthermore, Kansai International Airpot, which is located in Osaka Prefecture, is also easily reachable providing access to a variety of domestic and overseas destinations.

Key attractions: Wakayama Castle, Wakayama Marina City, Kimiidera Temple

Tanabe - The Largest City By Area in the Kinki Region

Formed by the merger of 5 municipalities, Tanabe covers around 22 percent of Wakayama Prefecture's land and is the largest city by area in the whole Kinki region of Japan. With the population of around 66 thousand (as of 2025), Tanabe is also the second most populated city in Wakayama Prefecture. It is home to various places that would be interesting to explore including the famous Kumano Kodo. It is a wonderful place for people who would like to live in a place blessed with rich nature, but without losing the convenience of urban life.

Key attractions: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Kodo

Kinokawa -  A City Known for Fruit Production

Bordering the city of Wakayama and Osaka Prefecture, Kinokawa boasts plenty of nature and offers a convenient living environment. Known as "Fruit Kingdom", Kinokawa boasts a large production of fruits including peaches, strawberries, figs, and more. Furthermore, Kinokawa ranks number 1 in terms of agricultural output in the whole Wakayama Prefecture. 

Key attractions: Kokawadera, Togenkyo

Kamitonda - A Town Rich in Nature

Kamitonda is a town with a population of approximately 15 thousand and an entry to Nakahechi Trail of the famous Kumano Kodo. It boasts rich nature, including a river flowing through the town, as well as agriculture and manufacturing industries.

Key attractions: Sukumadani Kannon, Kozenji Temple

Iwade - A City with Good Access to the Prefectural Capital and Osaka

Iwade is nicely situated about 15 kilometers away from the prefectural capital and 50 kilometers from Osaka. Furthermore Kansai International Airport is about 30 kilometers away. It also offers convenience of living in a city and access to rich nature.

Key attractions: Negoroji Temple, Wakayama Prefecture Botanical Garden Ryokka Center

Access to Other Areas in Japan

Trains

Wakayama offers great transportation access to Osaka. For instance, it would take about an hour to get to Shin-Osaka Station from Wakayama Station by Limited Express Kuroshio. From Shin-Osaka Station, you can reach various destinations in Japan by Shinkansen train including Tokyo, Nagoya, and more. Furthermore, Kyoto with its long and rich history can also be reached by train in about an hour and a half from Wakayama Station.

Airport 

Wakayama Prefecture has Kumano - Shirahama Resort Airport, which offers flights to and from Tokyo. Various domestic and overseas destinations can be reached from Kansai International Airport in the neighboring Osaka Prefecture.

Highway Buses

There are highway buses connecting Wakayama with a number of other destinations in Japan including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Aichi, and more.

Popular Tourist Spots in Wakayama

Wakayama Castle

The history of Wakayama Castle goes all the way back to 1585 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi directed his younger brother to build it. From the castle tower, which was rebuilt in 1958, you can enjoy a view of the city. In the spring, it is also a popular place to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms.
>> Wakayama Castle

Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo consists of a number of pilgrimage trails. It is one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world that has been registered as UNESCO World Heritage.
>> Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau

Porto Europa

Porto Europa is a theme park with reproduction of Italian, Spanish, and French streets allowing its visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Europe. There are also many attractions in the park making it a fun place to visit.
>> Porto Europa

Mount Koya

With a history of more than 1,200 years, Mount Koya, known in Japanese as Koyasan, is a sacred place of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. It is also home to 117 temples.
>> The official Wakayama Travel Guide

Adventure World

Occupying around 800,000 square meters and being home to approximately 1600 animals of 120 species, as well as an amusement park, etc., Adventure World has a lot to offer to its visitors.
>> Adventure World

Nachi Waterfall

Having a drop of 133 meters, Nachi Waterfall is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan. It is also one of the most famous waterfalls in the country.
>> The official Wakayama Travel Guide

Shirahama Onsen

Shirahama Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. There is also a beautiful white sand beach that would be a paradise for beach lovers.
>> Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau

Conclusion

Wakayama Prefecture, with its fantastic nature, sightseeing spots, and cities offering a convenient living environment away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, can be a great choice as your next travel or relocation destination.

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