It’s no secret that I really, really, REALLY love the southern tip of Wakayama Prefecture’s Kii Peninsula. Home to a trinity of sacred shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan, this part of Japan is steeped in ancient history. Recently, I had the chance to once again venture down to the town of Nachi-Katsuura to participate in a series of three Wakayama Nachi Premier experiences that will be available for the rest of this year. If you’re planning to visit the southern sections of the Kii Peninsula, I highly suggest considering one of these experiences while you’re down there.
Now, with attractions like Kumano Nachi Taisha nearby, there’s really no need for anything additional to lure you to Nachi-Katsuura. Still, these three exclusive experiences add a little something extra to what most travelers end up doing here in southern Wakayama. By participating, you’ll get the chance to feast on some truly delectable local specialties while also gaining a far deeper appreciation of Kumano Nachi Taisha and the surrounding region.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The three Wakayama Nachi Premier experiences I’ll detail were created in honor of this milestone to encourage more travelers to make the trek out to Nachi-Katsuura. So, with that said, allow me to introduce this trio of travel offers…
How to Get There
OK… OK… I lied. First things first, let’s cover some key logistics. If you already know how to make your way down to the port town of Nachi-Katsuura, feel free to skip this section. For the rest of you, know that the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula may very well be the hardest place in Japan to reach from Tokyo. You see, even the nearest airport is over two hours away by car or train, meaning that coming here is quite the travel commitment indeed.
Thankfully, in addition to all the value added by the Wakayama Nachi Premier options, there is plenty to do in and around Nachi-Katsuura. If you’re coming directly from Tokyo, the most expedient option to get here is to fly to Shirahama Airport. That said, I’m more a fan of taking the train down, as this allows you to see some other sights en route to Nachi-Katsuura. This way, you can break up the travel time a bit so you don’t spend an entire day without any Japan adventures.
Generally speaking, there are two main ways to get to Kii-Katsuura Station by train: the Kuroshio Limited Express, which runs from Shin-Osaka, and the Limited Express Nanki from Nagoya. Either way, as you’ll see if you check a service like Jorudan, you’re in for a four-hour train ride. Note that even if you fly to Shirahama Airport, you’ll still need to take a Kuroshio Limited Express, as Shirahama is only halfway to Nachi-Katsuura.
After Hours at Kumano Nachi Taisha
Usually, Kumano Nachi Taisha closes quite early at 4:30 PM. After all, the hallowed shrine is located high up in the mountains on the coastal side of the Kumano Kodo’s steep Ogumotori-goe trail. It stands to reason that Kumano Nachi Taisha and the surrounding area would call it quits early in the evening. Luckily, though, thanks to the first of the three Wakayama Nachi Premier experiences, you can see what the famed shrine is like after the sun sets for a limited time this year.
Starting around sunset, you’ll make your way over to Kumano Nachi Taisha. To kick off the event, participants in this Wakayama Nachi Premier offer will have the chance to partake in an official prayer ceremony inside the now-deserted main hall of Kumano Nachi Taisha. Afterwards, a priest will guide you to the usually off-limits area out back, where the shrine’s honden and the rock that is said to be the sleeping form of the region’s legendary three-legged crow can be found.
Next, you’ll get to explore the nearby temple of Seiganto-ji, to which the complex’s often-photographed pagoda belongs. While the pagoda won’t be visible after sunset, the mighty Nachi Falls will be illuminated as part of the Wakayama Nachi Premier offering. Though you could indeed enjoy Kumano Nachi Taisha without embarking on a tour like this, part of the appeal of this package is the access to areas usually not open to the public.
After some time to enjoy the tranquil shrine grounds without any other worshippers detracting from its serene peace, you’ll then have the opportunity to feast on an expertly prepared course that draws inspiration from the lore surrounding Kumano Nachi Taisha and pilgrimages along the Kumano Kodo. As you dine, you’ll be treated to tales of the venerable shrine and how its legacy relates to the lavish food in front of you.
To end the evening, the finale of this Wakayama Nachi Premier experience will be a calligraphy show in front of Kumano Nachi Taisha’s main hall. The demonstration is accompanied by music, and you can even request the masterful performer to write a Japanese character of your choosing at the end (which, by the way, you can actually take home with you).
You can see the dates available for this first Wakayama Nachi Premier experience here on their official site.
Heian Period Timeslip On the Daimon-zaka
As with any normal visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha, much of this upcoming Wakayama Nachi Premier offering could be done without booking the tour. However, there’s a good reason you’d want to. Not only will you experience the Kumano Kodo as pilgrims would have during Japan’s Heian period (794–1185), but you’ll also enjoy an exclusive tea ceremony with stunning views of Nachi Taisha, along with a multi-course lunch crafted from the finest local ingredients.
To start, you’ll head to Daimon-zaka Chaya, a teahouse at the base of what many consider the best-preserved part of the Kumano Kodo. After donning traditional costumes that would have been worn by pilgrims walking the Kumano Kodo centuries ago, you’ll make your way toward Kumano Nachi Taisha via the Daimon-zaka. This path of 267 stone steps stretches around 600 meters and is breathtaking, lined with centuries-old Japanese cedars.
At the top of Daimon-zaka, you’ll reach the iconic pagoda of Seiganto-ji, which I should note is currently under restoration and not visible to the public. Nevertheless, you’ll still be able to enjoy a view of Nachi Falls, the tallest waterfall of its kind in Japan. As part of this Wakayama Nachi Premier experience, you’ll enter Takijuan, a tea room that, until now, has remained completely private as part of this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime offer.
Afterward, you’ll continue up to the main hall of Seiganto-ji, the temple within the Kumano Nachi Taisha complex. Here, you’ll feast on what might be the most epic meal I’ve ever experienced. Just be sure to wear something comfortable under your pilgrim outfit, as everyone who joined me for this experience couldn’t stop mentioning how full they felt afterward.
If this experience seems up your alley, check the official website for Wakayama Nachi Premier to see more information about pricing and upcoming dates…
Feast on Nachi-Katsuura’s Fresh Tuna
The third of the trio of experiences I joined for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status was an epic tuna feast. Unbeknownst to many tourists, Nachi-Katsuura is actually one of Japan’s top tuna port towns. From what I’ve researched, Nachi-Katsuura can bring in upwards of 75 tons of fresh catches per day during peak periods. Now that is a lot of tuna!
To begin, you and the staff will process a whole tuna together at the workstation by the port’s fish market. As you remove the head, fins, and other parts, the staff will expertly explain the different cuts, weaving in fascinating insights about how the rich minerals from the Kumano region’s mountains nourish the waters where these tuna thrive.
While the food was unforgettable, it’s these additional bits of information that really paint the bigger picture of why Nachi-Katsuura is such a hub for tuna. After the initial butchering, the staff will slice the fish into bite-sized pieces, and you’ll even get a chance to make your own sushi. Especially for those who enjoy hands-on experiences, this adds a unique complement to the experience of cutting up the tuna firsthand.
Eventually, the event moves outdoors, where you can savor charcoal-grilled tuna while sipping the finest local sake. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff prepares a variety of dishes using cuts from the very same tuna you helped butcher. Soon, plate after plate of the finest tuna you’ll ever have the chance to taste begins to arrive.
If this sounds like an experience you’d enjoy, check the Wakayama Nachi Premier’s official website as availability for this exclusive offer is quite limited…
Other Nearby Attractions
Let’s be real — if you’re coming all the way down to the tip of the Kii Peninsula for one of the Wakayama Nachi Premier offerings, it would be a shame to miss some of the other attractions in the area. Personally, if you haven’t visited before, I highly recommend making your way to the two other shrines that complete the Kumano Sanzan trinity. This way, you’ll get the full experience rather than just seeing Kumano Nachi Taisha while in Nachi-Katsuura.
Nearby, there’s also the photogenic Hashiguiiwa Rocks (shown above), which you might pass if you’re driving from Shirahama Airport. Right behind the Hashiguiiwa Rocks is Kushimoto, the southernmost point on Japan’s main island of Honshu. While neither of these are must-visits, they’re easy additions to a trip to Nachi-Katsuura.
Lastly, another option is to take the Limited Express Nanki back toward Nagoya to explore Mie Prefecture along the way. For this route, consider flying down to Shirahama and working your way counterclockwise around the Kii Peninsula, stopping in Nachi-Katsuura to enjoy one of the Wakayama Nachi Premier experiences I’ve highlighted in this article.
Until next time travelers…
