The picturesque locations of Kihoku
A spectacular photo spot in KIHOKU
① Wakayama Marina City
With its exotic atmosphere, this magical locale is a can't miss photo spot!
POINT
Porto Europe, a theme park located in Wakayama Marina City, is an extremely popular destination among female photographers. The streets of Europe have been flawlessly recreated here; perfect for photography, as no matter where you point your lens you will be bound to find something worth shooting. "Photo Spot" stands can also be found throughout the park, marking areas where even beginners can easily take photogenic shots.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Wakayama-shi Kemi 1527 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0570-064-358 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00-21:00 |
*Please inquire for more details
② Ryokka Center Botanical Park
The colorful flowers and slightly retro atmosphere are captivating!
POINT
This relaxation area is filled with all kinds of flora, making it a perfect photography spot. The flowers that can be viewed change throughout the year, so take advantage of this chance to be surrounded by seasonal flowers while you try to find the perfect angle to capture them! The Wanpaku Plaza is another photo spot that is especially popular among rambunctious children. With an assortment of playground equipment, this area is quite photo-worthy.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Iwade-shi Higashi Sakamoto 672 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-62-4029 |
| Opening Hours | 9:00～PM17:00（Park admission stops at 16:30 PM） |
| Cost of Admission | Free |
*Please inquire for more details
③ Red Cafe factory
The deep red shipping container walls are the perfect spot for your next Instagram post!
POINT
The "Red Cafe factory" painted on the exterior of this restaurant's shipping container walls is our #1 recommendation for a photo opportunity. That being said, you won't want to put your camera away once you see the stylish interior. Enjoy the generously portioned lunch menu while you search for the right angle to shoot from!
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Kaisou-gun Kimino-cho Hase 377-3 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 073-494-3932 |
| Opening Hours | AM11:00 – PM17:00 Friday/Saturday/Sunday PM19:00 – PM21:00（Reservation Required) |
*Reservation is required at night during the weekend. *Please inquire for more details
④ Tougenkyo: A Peach Blossom Paradise
A can't miss sight that has been described as, "A hundred thousand blossoms in a single glimpse!"
POINT
From the end of March until the middle of April, the scenery and subtle, sweet fragrance of the flowering peach trees transform this area into a paradise on Earth. It was also selected as one of the 100 Aromatic Landscapes of Japan. A photo that captures the "hundred thousand blossoms in a single glimpse" would surely lead to a flood of likes! The peaches produced in Tougenkyo are loved throughout Japan under the "Arakawa" name.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama Prefecture Kinokawa-shi Momoyama-cho Danshindenyuri |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-66-1259 Arakawa no momo Promotion Association |
*Please inquire for more details
⑤ Panda Crepes
A store filled with Pandas! How will you best capture their cuteness?!
POINT
Put a Panda Topping on your favorite crepe and you have a Panda Crepe! Take pictures with the many pandas found throughout the store! They can also be found on the heads and backs of the staff—they might agree to let you take a picture of them as well if you ask!
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Hashimoto-shi Koyaguchi-cho Mukoujima 45-17 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 080-3827-7733 |
| Opening Hours | 13:00～ |
*Please inquire for more details
⑥ Kudoyama Sanada Museum
Starting today, you're a...history buff?! Take some photos while learning about the legendary Sanada Yukimura!
POINT
The Sanada Museum, which just opened in 2016, has a captivatingly beautiful exterior. The first thing you'll want to snap a shot of is the Rokumonsen emblem of the Sanada clan that can be found on the white walls and gate door. Visitors are greeted by the red armor of the Sanada family at the entrance. The museum also has a number of panels and images on display that relate the life of Sanada Yukimura.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Ito-gun Kudoyama-cho Kudoyama 1452−4 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-54-2727 |
| Opening Hours | AM9:00～PM17:00（Last Admission at 16:30 PM） Museum closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (as well as weekdays following national holidays) New Year's Holiday (December 29th-January 3rd) |
*The museum will be open throughout Golden Week *Please inquire for more details
⑦ Nyusakado Shrine
Shrine grounds enveloped in yellow! A can't miss giant ginkgo tree illumination show!
POINT
Located on the Amano Niutsuhime Shrine pilgrimage route, Nyusakado Shrine is famous for the fall colors of its ginkgo tree, which carpet the surrounding area. This golden ginkgo tree can be viewed until around early December, and is lit up by nightly illumination shows.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Ito-gun Katsuragi-cho Sanya ６３１ |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-22-3146 |
*Please inquire for more details
⑧ Skewered Persimmons
Complete with that special feeling of exclusivity provided by rare seasonal scenery! The red persimmons costar with the autumn country scenery.
POINT
Although this area boasts a spectacular landscape worthy of being photographed year round, the gratification of capturing the scenery during this brief period is unmatched. The contrast produced by the blue sky, green mountains, and orange persimmons is more than enough to make this area worth visiting. The hang dried persimmons of Wakayama create a beautiful scene, and are often the subject of photo contest entries. Best time to see
INFORMATION
| Address | 和歌山県伊都郡かつらぎ町 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-22-0300 (Katsuragi-cho Tourism Association) |
| Best time to see | Middle of November |
*Please inquire for more details
⑨ Okunoin Temple
The sacred grounds of Mount Kōya are a mystical source of spiritual energy —will your camera skills receive a boost as well?!
POINT
You won't have to worry about weather affecting the quality of your shots among the tall trees that surround the narrow paths of Okunoin. These trees make for compelling photographs regardless of whether they are filtering the sunlight on clear days, or being enshrouded by a hazy mist in the rain.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama Prefecture Ito-gun Koya-cho Koyasan 132 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-56-2002 |
*Please inquire for more details
⑩ Gokurakubashi Station
The soothing tones of the wind chime tunnel are summertime bliss.
POINT
The wind chime tunnel found in Nankai Electric Railway's Gokurakubashi Station is a summer memory for many, and a hidden gem as a photography spot. Attached to each of the approximately 500 wind chimes are colorful slips of paper with wishes written on them. While you won't be able to capture the notes of the wind chimes on film, their sound will remain burned into your memory.
INFORMATION
| Address | Nankai koya Line Gokurakubashi Station |
|---|
*Please inquire for more details
