Savor Fresh Tuna in a Town of Mysterious World Heritage! 7 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Nachikatsuura

Located in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture is home to numerous scenic spots and World Heritage sites. To the east of the town stretches a ria coastline, and together with its warm climate, it is also known for having a good port. Moreover, the town is one of Japan’s top producers of tuna, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious tuna dishes.
Additionally, Nachikatsuura is home to Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three grand shrines of Kumano, which serves as the head shrine of the Kumano shrines spread throughout Japan. The Kumano Sanzan and the pilgrimage routes leading to them are designated World Heritage sites, attracting many visitors as a popular tourist destination.
Let us introduce the charms of Nachikatsuura Town!

1. Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route

You’ve probably heard of the Kumano Kodo at least once, right? The Kumano Sanzan has been considered sacred since the Heian period. In Nachikatsuura Town, one of the seven pilgrimage routes leading to the Kumano Sanzan passes through—the Nakahechi Route.
The Nakahechi Route stretches about 84 kilometers, connecting Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture to Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. It’s also part of a World Heritage site and is a popular tourist attraction.
A 20-minute bus ride from Kii-Katsuura Station takes you to Daimonzaka, where you’ll find the Meoto Sugi, a pair of 350-year-old cedar trees. The beautiful stone-paved Nakahechi Road continues from here toward Nachi Mountain. It takes about an hour on foot to reach Kumano Nachi Taisha, making it manageable even for those with less stamina. However, since you’ll be walking on stone steps, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

2. Kumano Nachi Taisha

Kumano Nachi Taisha is part of the World Heritage sites in Nachikatsuura Town and is also one of the head shrines of the Kumano shrines. Legend has it that when Kamuyamato Iwarehiko-no-Mikoto (later enthroned as Emperor Jimmu) landed on Nachi Beach, he saw a shining mountain and discovered Nachi Falls, which became the origin of this shrine.
With the guidance of Yatagarasu (the three-legged crow sent by the sun goddess Amaterasu), Kamuyamato Iwarehiko-no-Mikoto reached his destination safely and became Japan’s first emperor.
The shrine is famous for its beautiful vermilion color. Nearby sights include Seiganto-ji Temple and a three-story pagoda. Don’t miss the shrine dedicated to Yatagarasu or the 800-year-old camphor tree on the grounds. The Yatagarasu amulets are also very popular and make great souvenirs from Nachikatsuura. Especially rare is the Karasu Goshinfu, written in crow characters, believed to ward off all misfortunes.

3. Nachi Falls

About a 15-minute walk from Kumano Nachi Taisha is Nachi Falls, one of the Top 100 Waterfalls of Japan. It boasts the highest drop of any single-tiered waterfall in the country. It’s said that there are 48 waterfalls in Nachikatsuura Town, collectively known as Nachi Falls. The main waterfall is called Ichi-no-Taki, followed by Ni-no-Taki and San-no-Taki deeper into the Nachi Primeval Forest on the right side of the falls.
Unfortunately, entry into the primeval forest is restricted without permission. However, if you join a tour with a special ritual blessing, you can enjoy trekking there. Be prepared for off-trail walking and even stepping into streams.
At Nachi Falls, you’ll also find Hiro-jinja Shrine, a branch shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha. Here, the waterfall itself is the deity, so there is no main hall or worship hall. It is said that Emperor Jimmu found this sacred waterfall and enshrined it. Truly, this might be the most sacred spot in Nachikatsuura Town.

4. Tuna Dishes

Katsuura Fishing Port in Nachikatsuura Town boasts the largest catch of fresh tuna in Japan using the traditional longline fishing method. Naturally, you’ll find many delicious tuna dishes and souvenirs in Nachikatsuura.
If you make a reservation by 5:00 p.m. the day before, you can visit the fish market early in the morning. The sight of the tuna lined up in the market is truly impressive. Additionally, every Sunday, a morning market is held where breakfast is a special treat! Local specialty products from Nachikatsuura are also sold, making it a great place to pick up souvenirs.
Around Katsuura Fishing Port, there are many restaurants serving delicious tuna dishes. Here are a few recommendations for you to try:

◆ Takehara

Located near Kii-Katsuura Station, Takehara is popular with both tourists and locals. The thick chunks of raw tuna are both satisfying in taste and appearance, and the restaurant also serves rare tuna innards dishes. It gets crowded during weekend lunchtimes, so it’s best to visit with plenty of time.
Address: 4-3-23 Tsukiji, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone: 0735-52-1134

◆ bodai

Right in front of Kii-Katsuura Station, bodai is a stylish restaurant that catches the eye. Their most popular dish is the medium-fatty tuna cutlet, which is deep-fried while still rare inside — absolutely delicious! They also offer whale dishes, sea urchin, and creative Japanese cuisine with a wide variety of menu items. The atmosphere is welcoming, even for women dining alone.
Address: 5-1-3 Tsukiji, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone: 0735-52-0039

◆ Masudaya

Masudaya, marked by a sign with a picture of a tuna, is conveniently located about a 3-minute walk from Kii-Katsuura Station. The fresh, flavorful tuna is highly rated, and their original dishes such as tuna shumai and tuna spring rolls are also recommended.

Address: 5-2-14 Oaza Tsukiji, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone: 0735-52-7466
Official Site: http://www.masuda1995.com/index.html

5. Katsuura Onsen

Stretching from Nachi Mountain to the Katsuura coastline are several hot spring sources, making Nachikatsuura Town one of Wakayama Prefecture's top onsen destinations. As a gateway town to the World Heritage Kumano Kodo and Nachi Falls, the seaside onsen inns offer stunning views. Soaking in these hot springs in such a scenic location is one of the best things to experience in Nachikatsuura.
There are also public baths you can easily enjoy, such as the town-run “Nishiki-no-Yu”, located next to JR Nachi Station, and the surprising “Hamayu”, a bathhouse where the owner personally discovered the spring. Another recommendation is the foot bath “Umi-no-Yu”, where you can relax while enjoying the view of Katsuura Fishing Port. Even if you’re not staying overnight in Nachikatsuura, why not refresh and relieve your fatigue from sightseeing in the hot springs?

6. Kino Matsushima Cruise

Along the beautiful coastline of Nachikatsuura Town lie about 130 large and small islands. Their scenery is said to rival Japan’s famed Matsushima, hence the name Kino Matsushima. Among these islands, there is even a natural open-air hot spring that can only be reached by boat.
One of the highly recommended attractions in Nachikatsuura is the Kino Matsushima Cruise. The tour starts from the sightseeing pier near Kii-Katsuura Station, passing through Taiji’s Whale Beach Park. The uniquely shaped rock formations you’ll see along the way are truly fascinating. On weekends, the cruise route also passes by the dolphin show area.

7. Whale Museum

Taiji Town, surrounded by the sea and Nachikatsuura Town, is known as the birthplace of traditional whaling, a practice that continues even today. The town is also known for its many restaurants serving whale dishes. The Whale Museum was established to share the 400-year history of whaling.
Inside the museum, you'll find various fascinating exhibits about whales' ecology and dioramas of traditional whaling scenes. Outside, there's a huge blue whale skeleton that is truly overwhelming in size. The museum also features dolphin and small whale shows on-site, making it a recommended attraction around Nachikatsuura Town.
Perfect for families, the Whale Museum in Taiji Town is about a 15-minute drive from Kii-Katsuura Station. How about visiting to learn about the history of whaling along with your World Heritage tour?

◎ Summary

Nachikatsuura Station has now become a popular tourist destination not only for Japanese visitors but also for international travelers. With mountains, the sea, hot springs, and gourmet food, this town truly has it all. As a place with ties to Japan's first emperor, Nachikatsuura is full of mystique and beauty that you'll understand once you visit. Why not extend your next trip and explore it?