Port of Wakayama
Cruising and Travel

Wakayama City is a popular vacation destination for the Kansai Region of Japan. The Port of Wakayama area contains many interesting and enjoyable attractions for visitors, and the community has many modern amenities that make the Port of Wakayama a wonderful place to visit.

The Port of Wakayama has a mild climate with limited rain. The average temperature is 17 °C (62 °F). Its coastal location lends the Port of Wakayama low humidity and warm days throughout the year.

Wakayama Castle was built in 1585 to house the local lord, Asano Yoshinaga. In 1619, Tokugawa Ieyasu, first Shogun of Japan, sent his son, Tokugawa Yorinobu, to rule the area. During the Tokugawa Shogunate, many generations of regional rulers lived at Wakayama Castle. In 1871, the castle was first opened to the public, and it has since become the symbol of the city and the Port of Wakayama. Before World War II, it was a designated National Treasure. Destroyed during the war, the citizens of the Port of Wakayama rallied to rebuild the castle in 1958, being faithful to its original Edo Period design. The surrounding park is especially beautiful during the spring in cherry blossom season.

The Port of Wakayama's Kimiidera Temple has a 1200-year history, and it is the second stop of 33 sacred locations on the pilgrimage honoring Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Pilgrims climb 231 stone steps to the grounds that contain the Tahoto pagoda and a wonderful view of the sea.

Just six miles offshore from the Port of Wakayama are the Tomogashima Islands, an ancient training location for Buddhist aesthetic rites. In the last 100 years, the islands were used as weapons batteries and naval observation stations. Today, the island offer a wonderful retreat for nature-lovers with a campground and visitors center to serve as a base while exploring the island's many caves, cliffs, and wildlife.

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