Taiji, Katsuura is a place full of attractive spots with the majestic mountains of Kumano and the sea of Katsuura. An introduction to the popular sightseeing spots.
Taiji, Katsuura is a place full of attractive spots with the majestic mountains of Kumano and the sea of Katsuura. An introduction to the popular sightseeing spots.
Taiji, Katsuura, with its beautiful beach and ocean surrounded by greenery where people can enjoy various activities and good access to the Kumano Kodo World Heritage Site and Ise Jingu Shrine, is an ideal lodging place for international guests who want to enjoy authentic Japan. We recommend staying here as a base for 2 or 3 nights to visit various places.
Recommended hot spring ryokans & hotels
Access without transfer is possible by taking the Kuroshio Limited Express Kuroshio from Kyoto / Shin-Osaka or the Wide View Nanki from Nagoya. About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kii-Katsuura Station, the nearest station from Katsuura Gyoen. (Courtesy lifts from the station are not available)
For cars with Sat Nav use telephone number
Please search using the telephone number 0735-52-0333 or by name Katsuura Gyoen
Katsuura is convenient for sightseeing around the 
①Kumano Kodo Daimon-zaka
◇By Car…Journey time : 10mins ◇Public transportation…Journey time : 20mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - Kumano Kotsu route bus (15mins) - Bus stop / Daimon-zaka Chushajo - 5mins on foot - Kumano Kodo Daimon-zaka
Kumano Kodo is the general name for pilgrimage routes to Kumano, which had been used since the Heian period. Daimon-zaka is a well known path which remains almost as it was in the olden times, though many of the routes today are disconnected.
This place is a part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004.
②Nachi Falls
◇By Car…Journey time : 15mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 25mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - Kumano Kotsu route bus (20mins) - Bus stop / Taki-mae - 10mins on foot - Nachi Falls
Nachi Falls boasts the highest drop in Japan from 133 meters high. This is the dwelling place of sacred spirits of Hiro Shrine, another shrine of the Kumano Nachi Taisha, and the water of the falls is known to have the power to extend longevity.
③Kumano Nachi Taisha
◇By Car…Journey time : 25mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 35mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - Kumano Kotsu route bus (20mins) - Bus stop / Car park in front of the shrine and temple - 15mins on foot (Stone staircase with about 470 steps) - Kumano Nachi Taisha
Just beside Seigantoji Temple. This is one of the Kumano Sanzan grand shrines along with Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Hongu Taisha.
④Nachisan Seigantoji Temple
◇By Car…Journey time : 25mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 35mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - Kumano Kotsu route bus (20mins) - Bus stop / Car park in front of the shrine and temple - 15mins on foot (Stone staircase with about 470 steps) - Nachisan Seigantoji Temple
Just beside Nachi Taisha. The first major stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 temples.
⑤Kumano Hongu Taisha
◇By Car…Journey time : 1hrs 5mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 1hrs 50mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Kii Line (Local train / 23mins) - JR Shingu sta. - Nara Kotsu bus (1hrs 23mins) - Nara Kotsu / Hongu Taisha-mae - 5mins on foot - Kumano Hongu Taisha
The head shrine of over 3,000 Kumano Shrines located throughout Japan. Also known as Kumano Sanjo Gongen, it is comprised of Kamiyonsha, Nakayonsha and Shimoyonsha. This is one of the Kumano Sanzan grand shrines along with Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.
⑥Kumano Hayatama Taisha
◇By Car…Journey time : 25mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 52mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Kii Line (Bound for Shingu / 35mins) - JR Shingu sta. - 18mins on foot - Kumano Hayatama Taisha
People may find this shrine easier to access than the other two, Nachi and ogu, since it is located on flat ground.
This is one of the Kumano Sanzan grand shrines along with Kumano Nachi aisha and Kumano Hongu Taisha.
Activities you can experience only here!
Enjoy
◇By Car…Journey time : 15mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 43mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Kii Line (Local train / 7mins) - JR Taiji sta. - 35mins on foot - Kujirahama Beach
You can get to look at small whales up close while enjoying swimming in the sea. (Grampuses are planned to be raised in FY2015.)
5 mins on foot from Hana-Kayu
10 mins on foot from Katsuura Gyoen / 20 mins by car from Hana-Kayu
The largest beach in the prefecture, Blue Beach Nachi is ranked among the top 100 beaches in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment, and was one of only 12 beaches awarded the ministry’s “special status”. In summer, the beach is bustling with sun-seekers enjoying the sea and sand, but with a total length of 800m there is plenty of room for everyone. It’s also a great place to come in the off-season, as a gentle stroll along the beach will refresh your spirits. (Free showers, toilets, and changing facilities)
◇By Car…Journey time : 1hrs45mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 1hrs25mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto,Shin-Osaka / about 1hrs25mins) - JR Shirahama sta. - 42mins on foot - Adventure World
Adventure World is a theme park complex consisting of a zoo, an aquarium and an amusement park, located in Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama.
There are more attractive sightseeing spots!
Other sightseeing spots
◇By Car…Journey time : 2hrs45mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : about 3hrs (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited Express Kuroshio（Bound for Kyoto・Shin-Osaka/about 2hrs50mins） - JR Kainan sta. - 1mins on foot - kainaneki mae/Wakayama bus group - Wakayama Bus / Route 121 / Bound for JR Wakayama Station(11mins)- Wakayamakan-mae/Wakayama bus group - 3mins on foot - Wakayama Marina City Hotel
A seafood market featuring fresh produce from local ports and various places around Japan. You can enjoy the market's special raw tuna, and other fresh marine products.
◇By Car…Journey time : 3hrs
◇Public transportation…Journey time : about 3hrs13mins (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited Express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto・Shin-Osaka/about 3hrs) - JR Wakayama sta. - 1mins on foot - Wakayamaeki mae/Wakayama bus group - Wakayama bus・Route 25/Bound for JR Wakayama Station(5mins)- kouen mae/Wakayama bus group - 8mins on foot - Wakayama Castle
The symbol of Wakayama City. Wakayama Castle has a history of serving as the residence of one of the three branches of the Tokugawa clan. Its castle tower offers a panorama of Wakayama City.
◇By Car…Journey time : 2hrs50mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : about 3hrs (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto,Shin-Osaka / about hrs40mins) - JR Kainan sta. - JR Kii Line (Bound for Wakayama / 7mins) - JR Kimiidera sta. - 8mins on foot - Kimiidera
A Buddhist temple famous for its early-blooming cherry blossoms located in Kimiidera, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama.
◇Public transportation…Journey time : about 3hrs30mins (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited Express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto・Shin-Osaka/about 3hrs) - JR Wakayama sta. -
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line(Bound for Kishi / about 30mins) - Kishi sta.
One of the stations on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line. The station number is 14. Tama, a cat raised in the shop at this station, became a sensation when she was officially appointed as the stationmaster. Sadly, she passed away in 2015. She was enshrined in "Tama Shrine" which was built inside Kishigawa Station. Tama has been succeeded by Nitama who is known as "Tama the 2nd Stationmaster".
⑭Koyasan
◇By Car…Journey time : 3hrs20mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : about 4hrs35mins (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited Express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto・Shin-Osaka/about 3hrs) - JR Wakayama sta. -
JR Wakayama Line Rapid Service(Bound for Nara / 55mins) - JR Hashimoto sta. - Nankai Koya Line(Bound for Gokurakubashi/45mins） -
Gokurakubashi - Nankai Koyasan Cable Car(Bound for Koyasan / 5mins) - Koyasan
The sacred Mt. Koya soaring up in to the sky welcomes visitors from beyond the deep green mountains.
In 2004, this place was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
◇By Car…Journey time : 40mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 1hrs
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Limited express Kuroshio (Bound for Kyoto,Shin-Osaka / 35mins) - JR Kushimoto sta. - 25mins on foot - Hashi Gui Rocks
A mysterious group of rocks seen along Route 42. A straight line of as many as 40 large and small rocks which stretches for around 850 meters from south to west. They are called the Hashigui-iwa Rocks because they look like the pillars of a bridge.
◇By Car…Journey time : 15mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 38mins
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR Kii Line (Local train / 7mins) - JR Taiji sta - 30mins on foot - Taiji Whale Museum
A museum established by the coastal whaling town of Taiji. The museum offers black whale and dolphin shows and exhibits archives on whaling.
◇By Car…Journey time : 50mins
◇Public transportation…Journey time : 1hrs10mins
A bus and jet boat combination ticket is sold at JR Kii Katsuura Sta.
A jet boat tour that sails around Dorokyo Gorge which offers the most magnificent views within Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The boat sails along the large gorge, also known as Dorohaccho, which stretches up to 31 kilometers through beautiful natural landscapes, at about 40 kilometers per hour.
◇By Car…Journey time : 2hrs31mins
◇By Train…Journey time : 2hrs43mins (Excluding transfer time)
JR Kii Katsuura Sta. - JR limited express wide view Nanki (Bound for Nagoya / 2hrs30mins) - JR matsusaka sta. - Kintetsu Yamada Line Limited Express / Bound for Toba (15mins) - Isuzu River Sta. - 40mins on foot - Ise Jingu Shrine
Ise Jingu Shrine, affectionately called "Oise-san". This shrine, comprised of 125 shrines including Naiku and Geku with their 2,000 years of history, is the spiritual home of the Japanese people.
Learn More about the Local Area! 
10 mins on foot from Katsuura Gyoen / 15 minutes by car from Hana-Kayu
The largest volume of freshly caught tuna in Japan is brought into Katsuura Fishing Port. A highlight here is the early morning market where large quantities of tuna are auctioned off in a lively atmosphere. (2nd floor viewing platform is free of charge / Not open everyday)
10 mins on foot from Katsuura Gyoen / 20 minutes by car from Hana-Kayu
The island features a shrine that is said to be blessed with the fortune of the White Snake Goddess Benten, who is associated with wealth and prosperity. It is possible to cross over to the island during periods of low tide. Recently, the island has become a popular “power spot”.
Katsuura Tourist Pier (20 mins on foot from Katsuura Gyoen / 15 mins by car from Hana-Kayu)
Taiji Kujirahama Park (5 mins on foot from Hana-Kayu)
Visitors can enjoy a pleasure boat tour that navigates around Ki-no-Matsushima, a group of large and small islands dotted around the area near Katsuura Port. Cruising around on the deep blue sea is a great way to refresh and rejuvenate. The tour lasts about 40 to 55 minutes, depending on the route.
Three accommodations in the Katsuura / Taiji area
and one accommodation in the Ise area.
