Day Trip From Kansai Airport! Sample Itinerary to Discover Wakayama!

From Kansai International Airport, it takes about 60 minutes by train to reach Wakayama. The prefecture is accessible by JR trains or limousine bus, but Nankai Electric Railway is the best choice when heading to Wakayama Castle, the first stop on this day trip. The castle is located about a 10-minute walk from Wakayama-shi Station.

Travel time: about 60 min. by train

The first stop is Wakayama Castle, a historical site located in the heart of downtown Wakayama City. The original castle built in 1585 was lost to fire, but the restored castle tower and other sites are open to the public. Inside, you will find an exhibit of samurai items, including a complete set of armor. The top floor offers sweeping panoramic views of the city in all four directions. Be sure to check out the Nishinomaru Garden—renowned for its beauty during the fall—along with Okaguchi Gate, which is one of the few original structures remaining from when the castle was first built.

Travel time: about 5 min. by taxi

【Facility Name】 Wakayama Castle Tower
【Opening Hours】 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (last entry at 5:00 pm)
Open until 8:00 pm from July 20 to August 31 (last entry at 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 December 29 to 31
【Price】 Adults 410 JPY / Children 200 JPY
【URL】
Official Homepage (Japanese only)
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 3 Ichibancho, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

For lunch, savor the local specialty, Wakayama Ramen. Typically this ramen dish is prepared with the local specialty items, soy sauce and kamaboko (a sort of fish sausage made with minced fish paste). The soup base is either shoyu (soy sauce) or tonkotsu-shoyu (pork bone and soy sauce). Wakayama Ramen is also known for a side dish called "hayasushi", which features a cut of mackerel atop sushi rice. Be sure to order it with your noodles! Ide Shoten is perhaps the prefecture's most famous ramen shop. Its specialty is a tonkotsu-shoyu soup base that offers creamy depth topped with kamaboko and char siu (roast pork) slices, among other toppings.

Travel time: about 20 min. by taxi or about 45 min. by bus

【Facility Name】 Ide Shoten
【Address】 4-84 Tanaka-machi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

After lunch, head to Wakayama Marina City, a resort area with a number of things to do. First, check out Kuroshio Market, which features freshly caught seafood including tuna. Wakayama boasts the largest catch of tuna in all of Japan. In addition to seafood, the market carries dried foods, delicacies, Wakayama's famous soy sauces, and local spirits, which make great gifts for family and friends back home. The market plays host to a tuna butcher show at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. Be sure to drop by during your visit.

Travel time: short walk

【Facility Name】 Kuroshio Market
【Opening Hours】 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (until 5:00 pm in the winter)
【Days Closed】 Closed 2 times a year (also maintenance closures)
【URL】 Official Homepage
【Address】 1527 Kemi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

Wakayama Marina City also has a natural hot spring facility where you can take in views of the ocean while taking a dip. The outdoor hot spring baths offer an open and comfortable space to unwind. The facility also features a sauna and ganbanyoku (stone sauna). Warm your body up, and ease any fatigue you may be feeling from your travels.

Travel time: short walk

【Facility Name】 Kishu Kuroshio Onsen
【Opening Hours】 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (admission closes at 10:00 pm)
【Days Closed】 None
【Price】 Adults 880 JPY / Children 570 JPY
【URL】 Official Homepage
【Address】 Inside Wakayama Marina City, 1525 Kemi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

Enjoy dinner at Japanese Restaurant Shikisai, located inside Wakayama Marina City Hotel. The restaurant serves seasonal kaiseki (courses) and a la carte items in a relaxing setting. The restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, of course, but also serves inland fare, which go well with sashimi, tempura and grilled items. Be sure to check out the dazzling and appetizing way in which your food is arranged.

【Facility Name】 Japanese Restaurant Shikisai
【Opening Hours】 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 None
【URL】
Official Homepage
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 1517 Kemi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

Wakayama Prefecture offers a number of other places to see, including the Kumano Kodo trail, Mount Koya, and Nachi Katsuura, among others. We recommend staying the night in downtown Wakayama and exploring the further reaches of this beautiful prefecture. For day-trippers, you can head back to Wakayama-shi Station by bus and return to Kansai International Airport via Nankai Electric Railway.