Arita and Gobo are home to tourist attractions such as Kumano Kodo, Forest Park, and Kashima Island; sightseeing events such as the Tanabata Festival, light truck market, and crying sumo wrestling; and local delicacies such as kama-age shirasu (dried young sardines), sasazushi (bamboo grass sushi), and honey plums.
There is no doubt that Arita is famous for its oranges. This area belongs to central Wakayama Prefecture and faces the Kii Channel along the Arita River.
This water source produces delicious oranges. Gobo is a scenic and beautiful area with a tropical feel with the Pacific Ocean to the south. This area is located around the mouth of the Hidaka River, which is located at the caution rain of the coastline of Wakayama. It is also connected to the Yoshino Kodo Trail.
Arita is a "Mikan Mountain" and there are places where you can experience mandarin orange picking, and there are also facilities where you can try tasting them as juice. Tachi-gai (swordfish) is delicious grilled with salt, and fresh swordfish are landed daily at Minoshima Fishing Port, which has the largest catch of swordfish in Japan.
Another famous nighttime show is the "Cormorant Fishing Show" on the Arita River, which has a 700-year history and is held using a walking fishing method that is rare in Japan. It is a summer tradition that attracts many tourists every year. Niheiji Temple is famous for its hydrangeas, and is also known as "Ajisai-dera.
Gobo is famous for its production of Kasumisou, which is one of the most abundant in Japan, and its stable production is made possible by its extensive facility cultivation. It is also famous for an old legend that Miyako, who was born in "Kukaiji-no-sato," became the wife of Emperor Monmu.
Many tourists come to this area for sightseeing, but the Gobo Sports Park is a very large park that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Inside the park, there are facilities such as an athletic field, and it can be said that there are a lot of facilities for children.
The "Astronomy Park," where a planetarium is available, is a very popular tourist spot where visitors can watch astronomical shows.
Gobo is famous for its "sechiyaki. Although it originated in the Kansai region, it is unusual in that it looks like monja, a local delicacy that is representative of Gobo's B-class gourmet cuisine.
Other than that, this area is also very popular for outgoing fish influenced by the Kuroshio Current, which is unique to the Kii Peninsula coastline, and sushi restaurants all over the area offer delicious flavors that will make your cheeks drop. A car is an efficient way to get around and explore the area.
Aragijima is a spectacular terraced rice field landscape located in the Shimizu area of Aridagawa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is widely recognized as one of Japan’s most beautiful traditional rural landscapes. The rice terraces are situated on a distinctive piece of land surrounde...»
The Yuasa Traditional Buildings Preservation District, located in Yuasa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a remarkable historic neighborhood where traditional Japanese architecture and centuries-old culture have been carefully preserved. The area has been officially designated by the Jap...»
Hiro Hachimangu Shrine, also known as Hiro Hachimanjinja, is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kaminakano, Hirogawa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the shrine has served as an important center of local faith for centuries. The peaceful grounds a...»
Plump, Tender, and Richly Aromatic Nanko Ume is one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most famous local specialties and one of Japan’s best-known premium plum varieties. The fruit is characterized by its large size, thick flesh, thin skin, and relatively small pit, as well as its soft texture and rich, frui...»
Kishu Yuasa Soy Sauce, traditionally brewed in Yuasa Town in Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture, holds an important place in the history of one of Japan’s most essential seasonings: soy sauce. Located on the western coast of the Kii Peninsula, Yuasa has long flourished as a port town and an import...»
Arida Mikan are one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most famous local specialties and a highly regarded mandarin orange brand known throughout Japan. The name Arida Mikan received recognition as a regional collective trademark in 2006, further establishing its reputation as one of Japan’s leading citrus b...»
Kishu Kinzanji Miso is a traditional fermented food from Wakayama Prefecture, known for its distinctive flavor and long history. Unlike ordinary miso, which is mainly used as a seasoning, Kinzanji Miso is traditionally enjoyed as a food in its own right, often served directly as a flavorful accompan...»
Washigamine Cosmos Park is a scenic hilltop park located on Mount Washigamine in Aridagawa, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 586 meters, the park offers a remarkable sense of being surrounded by the sky. For this reason, it is sometimes described as a “flower garden in ...»
A Delicious Local Specialty from the Sea of Wakayama Shirasu-don is a popular local dish in Wakayama Prefecture that allows visitors to enjoy the fresh bounty of the surrounding seas in a simple yet satisfying way. A generous portion of shirasu, or young fish, is placed over freshly cooked rice. Al...»
Tachiuo cuisine, featuring cutlassfish or hairtail, is a distinctive local food tradition that makes the most of the abundant seafood of Wakayama Prefecture, particularly the area around Arida City. Tachiuo is easily recognized by its long, slender body covered in brilliant silver-white scales. Its ...»
Mikan Mochi is a traditional local sweet made with Arida mikan, the famous mandarins grown in Wakayama Prefecture. Combining the soft, chewy texture of glutinous rice with the refreshing aroma and natural sweetness of Japanese mandarins, this unique confection offers a taste that is closely connecte...»
Wasabi-zushi is a distinctive traditional dish that has been enjoyed for generations in the Shimizu area of Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Unlike ordinary sushi, where wasabi is usually grated and served as a spicy condiment, Wasabi-zushi uses the leaves of the wasabi plant itself as an essent...»
Aridagawa Railway Park and the Aridagawa Railway Exchange Museum is a unique attraction where visitors can experience the history and charm of a local railway that once played an important role in the daily lives of people in the Aridagawa area of Wakayama Prefecture. The park was developed on the ...»
Zao Bridge is one of the most distinctive scenic attractions in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Stretching approximately 160 meters across Futakawa Dam, this vivid red suspension bridge stands amid beautiful mountain scenery and offers visitors an exciting way to experience the natural landscap...»
Kadocho is a historic soy sauce brewery located in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Founded in 1841, Kadocho has continued to preserve traditional soy sauce-making techniques in Yuasa, a town widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of soy sauce in Japan. Yuasa has a brewing tradition that dates b...»
Futagawa Dam is an important dam built on the clear waters of the Arida River in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. While playing an essential role in protecting local communities and supporting their livelihoods, the dam is also surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests, making it an attracti...»
Jinburo, located in Yuasa Town in Wakayama Prefecture, is a local history museum housed in a former public bathhouse. The building was originally used as Ebisuyu, a public bathhouse established in the late Edo period. It remained a familiar place for local residents until it closed in 1985, serving ...»
Nishihiro Beach is a beautiful sandy beach in Hirokawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, known for its shallow waters, gentle waves, and open coastal scenery. During the summer, the beach attracts many visitors and is especially popular with families with children looking for a safe and relaxing place to e...»
Ao Iwakura Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is closely associated with Ao no Iwao, an enormous sacred rock that rises dramatically where the Aridagawa River and the Shomura River meet. Approximately 25 meters high and around 100 meters in circumf...»
Kenkoku Shrine, located in Yuasa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine that has been deeply connected with the local community for centuries. Known affectionately by residents as “Omiya-san”, the shrine has served as the principal guardian of Yuasa, offering a spirit...»
Ubagataki Falls is a quiet and beautiful waterfall tucked away in the mountains of Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. With water cascading approximately 15 meters down the rocks, the waterfall creates a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery. Although Ubagataki Falls is not particularly ...»
Daisenbori Inner Harbor is a historic harbor in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, where the traditional landscape of Japan's soy sauce-producing culture can still be experienced. Also known as the “Soy Sauce Canal,” the harbor is believed to have been developed during the Edo period as an important p...»
Yuasa Toy Museum is a charming hands-on museum located in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, an area known for its beautifully preserved historic streets. Housed in a traditional Japanese kominka, or old private house, the museum offers visitors a nostalgic journey through the toys and play culture of...»
Inamura-no-Hi no Yakata is a disaster prevention education facility located in Hirogawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It tells the story of the devastating tsunami that struck the region in the 19th century and teaches visitors about the importance of protecting human life. The facility consists of tw...»
Jomyoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located quietly in the mountains of Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture. Belonging to the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, the temple is known by the mountain name Iozan and has long been an important place of worship for the local commu...»
Poppo Picture Book Museum (Little Station Art Museum) is a charming cultural facility located on the grounds of ALEC (Arida Town Regional Exchange Center) in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It is one of the key facilities supporting Aridagawa's unique community initiative to promote itself as a...»
Michi-no-Eki Shirama-no-Sato is a peaceful roadside station located along National Route 424 in Uigoke, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountains and forests of the countryside, it is known as one of the gateways to the Kumano region. Located away from the busy urban areas, t...»
Michi-no-Eki Myoe Furusato-kan is a popular roadside station located along National Route 480 in Kanaya, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The area is known as the birthplace of Myoe Shonin, an influential Buddhist monk who lived during the Kamakura period. Surrounded by beautiful mountain scene...»
Michi-no-Eki Shimizu is a scenic roadside station located along National Route 480 in Shimizu, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. A Michi-no-Eki is a designated roadside facility in Japan where travelers can rest, eat, shop for local products, and obtain tourist information. Michi-no-Eki Shimizu ...»
W.A.S Riverside Nature Terrace is a nature-based tourism facility located in Shimizu, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Adjacent to Michi-no-Eki Shimizu, this facility combines glamping, camping, barbecues, outdoor activities, and local cultural experiences in a beautiful riverside setting. The ...»
Susa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Chida, Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture. For centuries, it has been deeply revered by local residents and people whose lives are connected to the sea. The shrine has a particularly distinguished history, having been listed among the Myōjin Taisha, on...»
Michi-no-Eki Aragi-no-Sato is a roadside station and sightseeing hub located along National Route 480 in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery, it offers travelers a convenient place to take a break, enjoy local food, shop for regional products, and discover th...»
Tsugi-no-taki Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in Nobesaka, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. With a drop of approximately 46 meters, it is one of the area's most impressive natural attractions. The name “Tsugi-no-taki” literally means “the next waterfall.” According to local tradition, the wa...»
Chorakuji Temple is a historic temple located in Ueno, Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai Zen tradition and stands quietly amid the peaceful countryside of the Aridagawa area. Surrounded by green hills and a tranquil rural landscape, the temple off...»
Kisshōji Temple is a historic Jodo Buddhist temple in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. With a history spanning more than 500 years, the temple has long served as an important place of worship for the local community. One of the temple’s greatest attractions is the remarkable collection of cultu...»
Shinsenji Temple, located in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Buddhist temple belonging to the Nishiyama branch of Pure Land Buddhism. Its mountain name is Gyokukozan. The temple is believed to have its origins in Kaiunin Temple, which was founded during the Nara period by the renowned...»
Yuasa Onsen Yuasa Castle, located in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a distinctive accommodation facility that allows visitors to experience the dream of staying overnight in a Japanese castle. With its impressive castle-style exterior and modern amenities, the facility offers an unusual and me...»
Yuasa Shoyu Kuyo-gura is a traditional soy sauce brewery and cultural experience facility in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Here, visitors can discover the fascinating world of Japanese soy sauce through sightseeing, hands-on experiences, tasting, dining, and shopping. Yuasa is widely known as on...»
Sanbokan is one of the distinctive citrus fruits associated with Wakayama Prefecture. In particular, Sanbokan grown in the Suihara area of Yuasa Town is known as “Suihara Sanbokan” and is highly valued as a local specialty. The fruit has a distinctive, slightly rounded shape that resembles a small ...»
The Former Suhara Family Residence (Fujiichi) is a historic merchant house in Yuasa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It preserves the atmosphere of a traditional family business that once produced soy sauce, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the history of one of Japan's most important culinary...»
Aridagawa Town is a beautiful rural town located in central Wakayama Prefecture. The town is centered around the Arida River, which flows from east to west through the area, surrounded by mountains, valleys, farmland, and peaceful countryside scenery. Aridagawa is particularly famous as one of the ...»
Fresh Market Hama no Utase is a popular direct-from-the-source market located inside Minoshima Fishing Port in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture. The facility offers visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s rich connection with the sea, featuring freshly caught seafood, locally grown vegetables a...»
Mosquito coils are one of the iconic symbols of summer in Japan. For generations, they have been a practical household product used to keep mosquitoes away during the warmer months. These traditional insect repellents work by slowly burning a coil containing insecticidal ingredients, releasing activ...»
Yuasa Town is a historic town in Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture, with a population of around 10,000 people. Surrounded by mountains and the beautiful coastline of the Kii Peninsula, Yuasa is widely known throughout Japan as the birthplace of Japanese soy sauce. For centuries, the town flourish...»
Shoseki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located on the slopes of Oishi Kogen Highland in Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape of the highlands, the shrine has a quiet and mysterious atmosphere that makes it a memorable destination for visitors interes...»
Takihara Onsen Hotaru no Yu is a charming hot spring facility and traditional Japanese inn located in Hirogawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Surrounded by lush mountains, clear air, and the gentle sound of a nearby stream, it offers visitors a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life...»
Ito Inari Shrine, located in Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic shrine traditionally regarded as the oldest Inari shrine in Japan. Surrounded by rich nature and a long history of religious devotion, its peaceful grounds offer visitors a quiet and sacred atmosphere. The torii gate in fro...»
One of the local traditional foods of Wakayama Prefecture. It is said that Sabanonarezushi has a long history of over 800 years, and it has been a special dish for autumn festivals and local events in the Arita and Hidaka areas, and the cooking technique has been also passed down for generations. Sa...»
Honeku is a traditional local food from the Arida area of Wakayama Prefecture. Also known as “Honekuri Tempura” or “Hone-ten,” it is a unique regional specialty born from the local fishing culture surrounding cutlassfish. Arida City’s Minoshima Fishing Port is one of Japan’s major landing ports for...»
Ume Udon is a regional Japanese noodle dish made by kneading the pulp of Kishu Nanko plums, one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most famous specialties, directly into the udon noodles. The noodles have a beautiful pale pink color and a delicate, refreshing plum aroma, making this unique local dish popular ...»