Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture: The Birthplace of Japanese Whaling! 5 Recommended Whale-Related Tourist Spots

Japan’s traditional culture of whaling often becomes a topic of discussion, but in fact, the Japanese have had a culture of catching whales and sustaining their livelihood from them for thousands of years. Among the places involved in whaling, Taiji Town is said to be the first to have successfully established organized whaling.

Taiji Town is home to many whale-themed attractions that draw tourists. While whaling itself can sometimes be criticized overseas, it is part of Japan’s culture and has a long history. When you come to Taiji, take a tour to learn about whales and the town’s past. Here are some particularly recommended tourist spots.

1. Taiji Kujirahama Park

Located in Taiji Town, Taiji Kujirahama Park is a tourist destination where several whale-related facilities are gathered together. At the park entrance, there is a windmill shaped like a whale, heightening the excitement of visitors.

As introduced below, the park’s highlight is the Whale Museum, where you can enjoy whale shows. You can also find exhibitions about whaling ships and the history of whaling in Taiji, as well as displays explaining how whaling was and is conducted.

Another facility here is the Taiji Ishigaki Memorial Hall, which was built to honor the works of painter Eitaro Ishigaki, who loved Taiji dearly.

2. Taiji Whale Museum

This museum is one of Taiji’s proudest attractions where you can interact with whales. The main highlights are the whale and dolphin shows, where trained whales and dolphins perform dynamic acts. Seeing them up close is an unforgettable experience.

You can also view a complete skeleton of a blue whale. At 26 meters long, it is truly impressive. The museum’s exhibition hall also contains various materials related to whales.

3. Taiji Ishigaki Memorial Hall

Eitaro Ishigaki, born and raised in Taiji until his middle school years, later moved to the United States and was active in the American art world for 20 years. Deeply loving his hometown, his wife Ayako Ishigaki built the Taiji Ishigaki Memorial Hall after his passing, using her personal funds.

The museum showcases Eitaro Ishigaki’s works, which often focused on the lives of the less fortunate, and also displays his oil paintings, sketches, and items from his studio.

4. Kujirahama Beach

Known as “the beach where you can meet whales,” Kujirahama Beach in Taiji is worth visiting at least once. Located inside Taiji Kujirahama Park, it is open only during certain periods—generally from mid-July to late August each year.

Twice a day, for 15 minutes at a time, a small whale from an offshore pen comes into the swimming area, allowing you to swim alongside it. This rare experience, especially for children, can become a lifelong memory. The whale is a short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) about 3 meters long and weighing nearly 300 kilograms, but it is harmless. However, because the water is somewhat deep, using a floatation ring is recommended for safety.

5. Dolphin Base

Alongside whales, dolphins are another beloved marine animal. Dolphin Base in Taiji offers you the chance to play and swim with dolphins.

You can watch them leap high into the air, perform tricks, or hold onto their dorsal fins for an exhilarating swim through the waves. Children in particular are sure to be thrilled by this unique experience.

Dolphins are highly adaptable and pose no danger to humans. The dolphins at Dolphin Base are especially friendly, so even if you can’t swim, simply touching and interacting with them up close is still a lot of fun.

Although Taiji is famous for its whales, dolphins are also an important part of its marine life and tourism. Be sure to try this experience when you visit.

◎ Summary

In Taiji Town, whales are inseparable from daily life. As a community that has practiced whaling for generations, the people here continue to live alongside whales. The town is filled with whale-related attractions, making it an ideal place for whale enthusiasts to spend the whole day sightseeing without getting bored.

Though it has a population of only about 3,000, Taiji is lively with tourists. Among Wakayama Prefecture’s diverse destinations, it stands out as one of the most unique. Come and see for yourself the intertwined history of people and whales in Taiji.