Reset search
Japan
Satellite

Japan
Wakayama

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Top 10 Travel Destinations Wakayama
Show all
Travelers at this place
    • Japan Sakura 2024
      11
      Day 5

      Kumano Sanzan Day 1

      March 25 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

      This morning, we got an early start and said our goodbyes to Osaka. I wish I could say that we were leaving after JUST having figured out Umeda station, but that would be a lie. It is insanely big, and we definitely still could not reliably pop out of it anywhere near our hotel or find train lines and restaurants without some mid station u-turns. It'll be nice to be somewhere smaller for the next few days. We also tried out the luggage forwarding service for the first time. We packed everything we didn't need for the next 4 days into our big suitcase, and we're crossing our fingers that we're reunited with it in Kyoto!

      Our train ride should have been very scenic, following along the ocean once south of Osaka, but unfortunately, it's raining again, and clouds obscure the view. We transfer to a bus that takes us into the heart of the Kumano region.

      Our first stop after an unpictured udon lunch is Oyunohara, a massive torii gate at the original site of the Kumano Hongu Taisha, before it was destroyed in a flood. Some ruins of the shrine still exist as well. Also, cherry blossoms! We had seen some on the bus ride in, but this was the first time on this trip we were able to see them up close.

      Next stop was the Kumano Hongu Taisha, which after flooding, was moved to the top of a very steep hill. This is the shrine that all branches of the Kumano Kodo lead to. After exploring a bit, we grabbed some delicious mochi and tea while we waited for our bus.

      Upon arrival in Yunomine Onsen, we immediately put our names in for Tsuboyu, a UNESCO private onsen that sits in a small shack above the river. It has a 2 hour wait, so we check in and get settled in our hotel while we wait. It was a really neat experience, but so hot even with our frequent cold water additions, so we didn't even last our entire allotted 30mins.

      This is our first night in a traditional Japanese style room, so we're sleeping on futons that are directly on a tatami mat floor. Hopefully we both get a good night's sleep, because tomorrow we're hiking an 8 mile stretch of the Kumano Kodo!      Read more

    • Japan Sakura 2024
      Day 6

      Kumano Sanzan Day 2

      March 26 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

      We awoke to heavier and more persistent rain than the past few days, with thunderstorms in the forecast as well. I guess we used up all of our good weather luck in New Zealand last year... Since I'm not crazy, despite what Keanan might think, and don't think that voluntarily hiking through a storm, on slippery rocks, with no views, while soaking wet sounds at all enjoyable, we decided to amend our plans.

      Instead of hiking, we hopped on a bus to Shingu and the Kumano Hayatama Taisha, another of the Kumano Sanzan. When we got off the bus, the rain was coming down in buckets and we were both instantly drenched. We explored the shrine, ducking under cover whenever we had the chance, and then grabbed breakfast on a covered street.

      From there, we took the train to Kii Katsuura, hoping that we'd be able to seek shelter in our next hotel even if we weren't able to check in. By lunchtime, it seemed like the end of the storm was in sight! We got a variety of tuna dishes (Kii Katsuura's specialty) for lunch before hopping on the very crowded bus to Nachisan. We got off before the top in order to climb a portion of the Kumano Kodo, Daimonzaka, to at least get in a little hiking and approach the shrine as the pilgrims. We saw the first blue sky of our trip as we arrived at the top of the stairs to the Kumano Nachi Taisha, the last of the Kumano Sanzan. We explored the grounds of the shrine and temple before going to get a closer look at Nachi falls, the tallest single drop waterfall in Japan.

      By the time we made it back to Kii Katsuura, the sun was fully out, and we were able to check into our hotel room with an incredible view of the ocean! Neither of us slept very well on our traditional Japanese beds last night, but these seem to be thicker mattresses and more comfortable. We enjoyed sampling a bunch of different foods at our hotel's dinner buffet, and I tried my first public onsen experience. It was quite overwhelming, and I feel confident that I prefer hot tub/ hot spring experiences where I'm not naked in front of a bunch of strangers!      Read more

    • Japan Sakura 2024
      Day 7

      Kii Katsuura and the train to Koyasan

      March 27 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

      I've got a lot of catching up to do! Our first morning without rain treated us to a nice sunrise from our hotel room. We then stopped by to watch the tuna auction that happens here every morning. The number of fish was astounding! After going back for breakfast at our hotel, we rode the panda train along the coast to Wakayama. The views were much better today than on our way down! From Wakayama, we took a series of trains and cable cars to reach our next destination, Koyasan, a small but densely templed town, high in the Kii mountains.Read more

    • Einmal rund um die Welt bitte
      1
      Day 78

      Kumano Kodo Tag 3

      April 23 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

      Tagesmotto: "Das zieh mir iz düre."
      Heute wandern wir 27km von Chikatsuyu-oji nach Kumano Hongu Taisha. Trotz Regen war es eine schöne Wanderung. Die letzten 4km waren hart, aber das ist wohl kurz vor Zieleinlauf normal :)
      Die Onsen haben wir uns verdient und auch das Abendessen in unserem Ryokan war überragend. Wir werden in unserem Zimmer bedient👌🏻 (u nei, nid wüumer nüm chöi loufä😋)      Read more

      See translation
    • Chris + Elli: World Tour
      Day 171–172

      Cycling day 8: Tsurugi -> Wakayama

      May 1 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

      60km and 100m ascent (it's a long flat valley)!

      Feels like we are on the way home - a wet morning and a focused cycle along the river toward the ferry that crosses from Shikoku at Tokushima. Chris dashed ahead and managed to get there in time to buy the tickets and we made it with about 15 minutes to spare. A windy crossing and delight to be back in a town after so many days in tiny villages.

      Downsides - discovering what a "small double room" is (absolutely tiny, though it does still have a bath). Upsides - we had sushi for dinner (thank god, we are a bit tired of convenience store meals now).      Read more

    • Japanreise 🍙🍜🇯🇵
      Day 7

      Unterkunft: Saizen-In Tempel in Koyasan

      May 12 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

      Unser Tempel ist echt wunderschön. Die traditionelle Art mit Schuhe ausziehen, Tatami-Matten auf dem Boden, niedrige Tische und Betten und vor allem die Schiebetüren und -fenster sind toll zu erleben!
      Wir bekommen gegen 15 Uhr Tee serviert, super gemütlich. 🍵🫖      Read more

      See translation
    • Japanreise 🍙🍜🇯🇵
      Day 7

      Eindrücke aus dem Ort Koyasan & 🍰

      May 12 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

      Die Spiritualität und vor allem die Schönheit in Koya-san lässt uns so viel staunen, dass wir der Meinung sind es braucht eine eigene Maßeinheit um die "konzentrierte Schönheit" zu bewerten. Selbst das Toilettenhäuschen ist wunderschön. Und statt Bäume aus dem Weg zu räumen, werden sie einfach in einen Zaun integriert. In einem kleinen Café gibt's von einem engagierten Japaner Matcha und Kuchen 😚
      Abends leuchten überall Laternen und Lampions, die ein angenehmes Licht bringen.
      Ab 17 Uhr ist der zuvor belebte Ort ruhig und wie ausgestorben.      Read more

      See translation
    • Japanreise 🍙🍜🇯🇵
      Day 7

      Wir tragen Yukata; Abendessen & Futons

      May 12 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Vor dem Abendessen ziehen wir die Yukatas an, traditionelle Sommer-Gewänder. 👘
      Dann gibt es um 17 Uhr Abendessen auf dem Zimmer: Suuuper lecker und im Tempel alles vegetarisch/ vegan. Es ist so liebevoll gemacht, dass wir voller Genuss essen 💖🍱🍚🥢
      Später heißt es Schlafenszeit und wir dürfen das erste Mal auf echten Futons schlafen. 🥰 Die äußeren Schiebefenster lassen wir ein Stückchen auf, sodass die Waldgeräusche, leichter Regen und das Gongen der Tempel zur vollen Stunde hörbar ist. 🌧️🌑🍃🐦‍⬛⛩️      Read more

      See translation
    • Japanreise 🍙🍜🇯🇵
      Day 8

      Regenzeit ist Kaffeezeit ☔🍵

      May 13 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

      Heute war der bisher ruhigste Tag. In Koya-san hat es die ganze Nacht und den ganzen Tag bis abends durchgeregnet. ☔ Ein zuvor kleiner Rinnsal war heute ein strömender Fluss, überall hat's geplätschert und geprasselt. Der Ort wirkte verträumt.
      Es war insgesamt auch kühler und entsprechend bestand mein Tag darin warme Getränke zu jagen. Ich könnte mich an diese leckeren Matchas, Matcha-Lattes und Sesam-Soya-Lattes gewöhnen.🙂‍↕️🍵☕

      Am Morgen durften wir bei einer buddhistischen Andacht der Mönche dabei sein und abends haben wir im gemeinschaftlichen Bad richtig heiß gebadet. Es war ungewohnt sich auf Hockern an einem Waschplatz zu waschen, aber das heiße Bad anschließend suuuper erholsam nach dem Wetter.      Read more

      See translation
    • Japanreise 🍙🍜🇯🇵
      Day 9

      Letzte Stunden Koya-san 🔚🔜 Wakayama

      May 14 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

      Heute hatten wir nochmal richtig schönes Wetter in Koya-san und haben den Tag genossen. Dann ging es später los Richtung Wakayama, weiter südlich. Abends gegen 21 Uhr sind wir angekommen und werden nun die nächsten 2 Nächte hier verbringen. Hier ist nicht mehr die typische Touristengegend, das haben wir direkt an 3 lieben älteren Japanern im Bus in Wakayama gemerkt. Die haben uns offensichtlich verwirrten Ausländern direkt helfen wollen. Mit Hand und Fuß haben sie uns erklärt wo wir aussteigen müssen, haben aufmerksam für uns aufgepasst und sogar den Bus-halte-Knopf gedrückt und uns zugewunken 🤭Read more

      See translation

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Wakayama, Präfektur Wakayama, Prefektur Wakayama, واكاياما, Vakayama, Вакаяма, Prefectura de Wakayama, Wakayama-gâing, واکایاما, Prefektura Wakajama, Gubernio Ŭakajama, Wakayama prefektuur, استان واکایاما, Wakayaman prefektuuri, Préfecture de Wakayama, Maoracht Wakayama, Prefektura Vakajama, וקאיאמה, Vakajama prefektúra, Վակայամա, Prepektura ti Wakayama, Prefettura di Wakayama, 和歌山県, Préfèktur Wakayama, Vakayamа, 와카야마 현, Vakajamos prefektūra, Vakajamas prefektūra, Вакајама, वाकायामा, Wilayah Wakayama, Wakayama-koān, Prefektura Wakayama, ضلع واکایاما, Prefectura Wakayama, Wakayama Prefectur, Wakayama prefektuvra, Wakajama, Префектура Вакајама, Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama prefektur, Mkoa wa Wakayama, Префектураи Вакаяма, จังหวัดวะกะยะมะ, Vakaýama, Prepektura ng Wakayama, Префектура Вакаяма, واکایاما پریفیکچر, 和歌山县, 和歌山縣

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android

    • 2024© FindPenguins
    • Home
    • About us
    • Blog
    • Group Tracking
    • Press
    • Terms
    • Privacy Policy & Cookies
    • Support
    • Legal notice
    • English