Koyasan Route

I always love learning about UNESCO World Heritage sites and on this trip I got the opportunity to see a few.
Hosshinmon-oji was one of those I enjoyed because was easy to capture and appreciate how it blends in with the beauty of nature around it.
I would recommend this site to tourists, not only because it is a UNESCO World Heritage site but also because it's an opportunity to learn about human history from the perspective of a different culture and country.
This site is in Kumano Kodo, which for me is one of the MUST places to visit while in Wakayama.

Looking for these stone sculptures and monuments was lots of fun because just walking to locate them was very nice.
The path through natural surroundings is a very pleasant and I love the beautiful scenery that you encounter while looking for them.
I enjoyed most the hike and the path used to find this spot.

It was a very different experience from what I was expecting.
We had been walking all day in the rain and it was cold.
So we were looking forward to a hot meal. But all the same, we still loved the experience of eating a bento lunch box.
It was very different and authentic. I had the rice bowl options and I really loved it.
I found it was a great option for a person that is doing a lot of outdoor activities, because it's delicious and quick.
This is a great food option for people who love outdoors activities because it's very easy, quick and delicious without missing out on having an authentic Japanese food experience.
I think it would have been more of a great idea if the weather conditions had been better. We had very rainy conditions, all day long.

I loved visiting Sangen-jaya Teahouse Remains because it's next to a grove of bamboo, which I hadn't seen before in Wakayama and also because there is a lovely wooden gate that leads you to a path in the forest which is very beautiful with the mist behind it.
This is a great spot to visit to see bamboo growing and also to hike and get lost among the trails as you enjoy the beauty of nature. Anyone visiting will love the magical mist in the forest.

While it is probably important in terms of meaning, and it is certainly historic, in view of the fact that Haraido-oji is the final oji before arriving at Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, it is also very modest.
I would only recommend this spot to people who are really into stones sculptures and learning about the history of the different stone sculptures you can find around Kumano Kodo.
Getting to find stone sculptures and monuments is fun mostly because you get to see the beautiful nature of the surroundings.

This shrine was one of my favorites. Even in spite of the rain we managed to take great photos that gave the spot a different feeling.
I loved the colors, which for me seemed more traditional and ancient. I loved the path of a few hundred steps at the bottom, among all the trees, that make it look very magical with all the greenery.
Yes for sure I'd recommend it. It was one of my favorites and I LOVED how it was surrounded by forests and nature.
The colors feel truly historic and timeless. Even on a rainy day it can still be very beautiful.

Yes, even though the weather was not great since we had heavy rain, I was very happy to be able to see for myself how really huge this gate is.
It's incredible to learn that this is the largest shrine gate in the world. It's even more impressive to see it with one's own eyes.
If you are visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, it's totally worth going here, too, because they are so close to each other and it's great for photo opportunities, even in the rain.
It's amazing to see how big it really is, when you stand in front of it and get the full perspective on it.

I LOVED seeing the color of this place which is kind of an orange-red and feels more modern than the previous ones, yet still gives you the traditional feeling of it.
I also like that it is very photogenic and you have the mountains behind it.
I feel this is a great complex to visit because it is very photogenic indeed and it's wonderful to see the priests and staff in such perfect traditional dress.

This is by far one of the most beautiful hotels I stayed at, not only because it offers fantastic views toward the ocean and the mountains but also because it's very cozy and comfortable, and the service here was fantastic.
Since the moment we arrived I really enjoyed the service and how everyone greeted us.
I also love the onsen that is built in a very unique way, so you can admire the views of the ocean and the mountains, even from the rooms and breakfast lounge.
This a great hotel accommodation for anyone visiting Wakayama. It is very comfortable and unique in the way it presents very beautiful traditional Japanese rooms.
The service is fantastic, and everyone working there is so kind and nice. It also offers majestic views to the ocean. But the main point here is the beautiful and unique onsen at this hotel.

The dinner here was fantastic. I feel of all my days in Wakayama this was the most full experience.
The presentation was phenomenal. We had all types of dishes, from rice bowl to sashimi, sushi, fish, lobster, soup, like literally everything I couldn't even image to eating in one day I had in one dinner at the Katsuura Gyoen.
I also loved that the presentation of the dishes was so photogenic and beautiful.
I would recommend not only staying but also eating at Katsuura Gyoen because it offers great service. The food is fantastic and I loved how fresh and tasty everything was.
It offers a great array of dishes that result in a very unique culinary experience to have in Wakayama.

YES! By far one of my most favorite experiences in Wakayama and the best highlight of this trip.
There's a different feeling when wearing this type of kimono from wearing a regular kimono just because I felt more elegant and unique.
LOVE how this costume really stands out in a natural setting.
This is a great cultural experience to have while in Wakayama.
Getting dressed in traditional costumes is a totally unique thing to do while visiting historical sites.
It's lots of fun to do it as a couple or even for family.

I stopped at the Nachi Mountain Tourist Center to try their soft ice cream with black-candy syrup, which I had already heard is really fabulous.
The soft ice cream is served with thick syrup poured over it, and it was really delicious.
The Nachisan Information Center is located near the Nachi Bus Stop.
This is where the bus trip starts and ends. It is handy, because you can visit the little cafe and souvenir stand inside the Center before the bus arrives.

The element that was really curious about this shrine is that it sits right besides a Buddhist temple, and it's rare to see Shinto and Buddhism next door to each other like this.
The clean orange façade of the shrine contrasted with the brown wooden temple next door.
This seemed like a very active shrine.
It's a great place to visit if you are visiting Nachi Waterfall because they are so close to each other.
Love the complex here and the fact that it sits right besides a Buddhist temple, because it's rare to see Shinto and Buddhism next door to each other like this.

The first thing when I knew I was going to visit Wakayama was I wanted to visit Three Storied Pagoda because you rarely see a Japanese traditional building next to a majestic waterfall.
For me this is a unique feature that you can't find in many other destinations.
Love the natural green in the background and how the orange red building pops out against it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I totally think this is a place anyone should visit while in Wakayama.
It's really very photogenic and pretty

I love experiencing the natural side of Japan because not many people think of Japan in this way.
When I visited this waterfall I found out that is the biggest one in the country.
We found many beautiful spots from which to admire its beauty.
Mother Nature is just very beautiful to admire.
I found this waterfall very photogenic and there are many great places where you can admire the view, and if you are into photography also a lot of places where you want to take photos.

The elderly clerk was very kind and helpful.
Famous Unshu mandarin orange soft ice cream and other local products are sold in the shop.
I enjoyed looking around in it, while I waited for the bus.

After shooting all morning I really enjoyed having local cuisine which was very fresh and delivered quickly.
My favorite thing was the rice sushi balls; I never had that before. Everything was delicious! I like the different dishes they offer; there's a great mixture.
Everything was so tasty. What I like the most is that the food is served here very fast.