A Seawater Pond and a World of Yokai
The centerpiece of Sio-topu is a seawater pond approximately 100 meters long and up to 15 meters wide. Small fish and other creatures found around Hidaka Port live in the pond, making it an enjoyable place for observing marine life.
The pond is also home to approximately 200 colorful koi carp. Watching them swim through the water is a favorite activity for visitors and adds a lively touch to the peaceful surroundings.
Adding an unusual cultural element to the park, statues of characters from “GeGeGe no Kitaro”, the famous yokai manga created by Shigeru Mizuki, stand in and around the pond. Ten statues in total depict characters such as Kitaro, Nezumi Otoko, Neko Musume, Nurarihyon, and Kappa, creating the feeling of stepping into a mysterious world of Japanese folklore.
The park also introduces yokai associated with Wakayama, including Nurarihyon, Takaonna, Mokurikokuri, and Tatami Tataki. Exploring these figures while learning about local folklore offers a unique way to experience regional culture. On some occasions, the area is illuminated at night, creating an atmospheric and almost magical landscape.
GeGeGe no Kitaro and Wakayama’s Yokai
The statues titled “GeGeGe no Kitaro and the Yokai of Wakayama” feature characters from Shigeru Mizuki’s celebrated manga series alongside creatures from local Wakayama folklore.
Ten statues are displayed throughout the park and around the seawater pond. With the colorful characters standing beside the water, visitors can enjoy an unusual combination of Japanese pop culture, traditional folklore, and a seaside landscape. The statues are also popular photo opportunities for families and tourists.
GeGeGe no Kitaro
Kitaro is the main character of the series and is known as one of the last surviving members of the Ghost Tribe. He works to create a world where humans and yokai can live peacefully together. His statue is one of the central attractions at Sio-topu.
Nezumi Otoko
Nezumi Otoko, or “Rat Man,” is a cunning and money-loving character. His mischievous personality and somewhat comical expression have made him one of the most recognizable characters in the Kitaro series.
Neko Musume
Neko Musume, or “Cat Girl,” normally appears as a charming young girl but transforms into a frightening cat-like monster when angered. Her unusual reactions to fish and mice are another memorable part of her character.
Nurarihyon
Nurarihyon is presented here as a yokai associated with Wakayama folklore and is sometimes described as the leader of the yokai. His true nature is mysterious. Traditional stories portray him as a strange creature who enters people’s homes without permission and relaxes there as though he were the owner.
Kashabo
Kashabo is a yokai from Wakayama folklore. According to local tradition, a kappa may leave the water and become a Kashabo when winter arrives. It is often described as friendly and mischievous, giving this folklore creature a surprisingly approachable character.
Takaonna
Takaonna is a female yokai from Wakayama folklore. It is said that when she becomes angry, her body stretches to an enormous height, allowing her to peer through windows on the second floor of a house. Although somewhat eerie, she evokes the mysterious atmosphere of traditional Japanese folktales.
Ushioni
Ushioni is a gigantic yokai believed to inhabit the sea and rivers. It is traditionally described as having a cat-like body and a long tail. Legends of Ushioni are found in Wakayama and other parts of western Japan, and the creature has a particularly imposing appearance.
Kappa
Kappa is one of Japan’s best-known water-dwelling yokai. Often associated with rivers and ponds, kappa are famously said to love sumo wrestling. Their distinctive appearance makes them especially popular with children.
Mokurikokuri
Mokurikokuri is a mysterious creature from Wakayama folklore. It is said to appear in places such as mountains, the sea, and wheat fields. Traditional stories describe it as a mysterious presence that suddenly appears and disappears.
Tatami Tataki
Tatami Tataki is a yokai said to make the sound of someone repeatedly tapping a tatami mat late at night. The legend is thought to have developed from strange nighttime sounds and unexplained phenomena experienced by people in the past.
A Relaxing Park for Families
The park has walking paths and benches where visitors can sit and enjoy views of the sea. Feeding the koi is another popular activity. Food can be purchased from a capsule vending machine, allowing children to have fun interacting with the colorful fish.
Every year around May, the Sio-topu Koi Festival is held, when colorful carp-shaped streamers known as koinobori are displayed above the pond. After dark, heart-shaped illuminations may also light up the area, creating a different and enchanting atmosphere from the daytime scenery.
Hidaka Port New Energy Park “EE Park”
Adjacent to Sio-topu is Hidaka Port New Energy Park, known as “EE Park.” Opened in 2007, this hands-on educational facility introduces visitors to next-generation energy technologies, including solar, wind, and hydropower.
The park features a variety of energy-generation facilities, including solar power, wind power, small hybrid power generation, and micro-hydropower. Visitors can see the actual equipment while learning about renewable energy and the possibilities of future energy systems, making the facility particularly popular with families and school-age children.
Solar Car Experience and PR Center
One of EE Park’s most popular attractions is its 120-meter solar car course. Visitors can ride carts equipped with solar panels and experience driving them around the course. It is an entertaining way for children and adults to learn about environmentally friendly energy.
The park’s PR Center explains renewable energy and the cities of the future through interactive displays and quizzes. One of the highlights is the large-scale diorama called “Nature Energy Town,” which provides an easy-to-understand visual introduction to the potential of natural energy.
1,500 Years of Salt-Making Tradition in Shioya
As its name suggests, Shioya-cho has a long history of salt production. It is believed that salt from Shioya was used as an important source of salt for the imperial court as early as the Asuka and Nara periods, more than 1,000 years ago.
At that time, salt production was managed by the Yatabe clan, which is said to have overseen salt production across a wide area stretching from Wakasa through Kii to Harima. Members of the Yatabe clan later settled in Shioya and began producing salt there, an event traditionally regarded as part of the origins of the town.
This history is also supported by wooden tablets excavated from the ruins of Fujiwara-kyo, providing evidence of salt production in the area during ancient times.
“Shioya no Amashio,” Traditional Natural Salt
Traditional salt-making methods are still practiced in Shioya today. One of the best-known local products is “Shioya no Amashio.”
The salt is made using 100% seawater from the Kii Channel. The seawater is slowly concentrated by heating it over firewood in a traditional kettle, and the salt is then finished by drying it naturally under the sun.
No artificial seasonings or additives are used. The finished salt contains natural minerals and has a mild, balanced flavor that helps bring out the natural taste of food.
This traditional salt-making process is centered on Nanohana Workshop, a vocational support facility for people with disabilities. By continuing this work, the facility helps preserve Shioya’s approximately 1,500-year-old salt-making tradition while carefully producing the salt by hand.
Shioya no Amashio is particularly well suited to foods such as rice balls, grilled fish, and lightly pickled vegetables, where its gentle flavor enhances the taste of the ingredients. It is also a popular souvenir from Gobo.
Kumano Kodo and Shioya Oji Shrine
Shioya-cho is also home to historic sites associated with the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage routes through the Kii Mountain Range. The nationally designated historic site known as Shioya Oji Site corresponds to today’s Shioya Oji Shrine, a place where pilgrims traveling toward Kumano traditionally stopped to pray.
The former Kumano Kodo route once continued from the area around Oji Bridge along the sandbar before passing through the settlement of Shioya. During the Edo period, many travelers and merchants traveled through the area, while sailing ships could be seen crossing the Kii Channel.
Climbing the stone steps leading to the shrine reveals a peaceful sacred precinct and beautiful surrounding scenery. The area is also known for its cherry blossoms in spring, making it an appealing destination for visitors interested in both history and nature.
A Gobo Destination Where the Sea, History, and the Future Meet
Sio-topu, EE Park, and the traditional salt-making culture of Shioya-cho together offer a distinctive experience unique to Gobo City. Visitors can enjoy the seaside environment, encounter colorful yokai statues, learn about the energy technologies of the future, and discover a salt-making tradition that stretches back approximately 1,500 years.
The area is ideal for family trips, cultural sightseeing, history walks, and scenic drives. Whether you are interested in Japanese folklore, traditional industries, renewable energy, or the history of the Kumano region, there is something different to discover here.
When visiting Gobo, take some time to explore the Shioya area at a relaxed pace. The combination of sea, nature, folklore, technology, and centuries of local history makes this an especially rewarding destination for discovering a lesser-known side of Wakayama.