Wakayama's 3 World Heritage Tourist Attractions (Kumano Kodo, Nachi Falls, Koyasan)

Wakayama, which sounds like the name of a mountain, is actually the name of an entire prefecture in Japan: Wakayama Prefecture (Japanese: 和歌山県／わかやまけん Wakayama ken). It lies in the western part of the Kii Peninsula on Honshu, with Wakayama City as its capital, south of Osaka in the Kinki (Kansai) region and close to Kansai International Airport.

In recent years Wakayama’s population has been shrinking rapidly, with many people moving to Osaka Prefecture to live and work. Yet this has also coincided with a steady improvement in Wakayama’s natural environment and tourism resources. Close to Osaka and central to ancient Japan, the prefecture is home to religious sites of great historical value. The three attractions below are World Heritage sites and essential stops for first-time visitors.

Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage route on the Kii Peninsula, Japan’s largest peninsula, leading to the Kumano shrines (the three great Kumano shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha). The Kumano region is considered deeply sacred, and even today many people walk this old road to visit the shrines. Kumano Kodo is the best route into the Kii mountains.

• Kumano Kodo, Daimon-zaka

Nachi Falls

Nachi Falls is the most widely known and the largest waterfall in Japan. It drops 133 meters and is one of Japan’s three great waterfalls. It stands beside Nachi Taisha, one of the three great shrines, at the highest point of the Kumano Kodo. Nachi Falls is a deeply sacred waterfall, said to be home to the deity of Nachi Taisha, the kami Hiryu Gongen. Being splashed by its water is said to bring divine blessing.

Koyasan

Beside the Kumano Kodo there are other sacred experiences you should not miss in Wakayama, such as visiting Koyasan, or even staying there for a few nights. Staying at Kongobuji, the head temple of the Shingon sect on Koyasan, has recently become a popular option for families traveling with children. Koyasan is considered the most sacred mountain in all of Japan.

• Koyasan, Daimon