Wakayama
Wakayama Prefecture, located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region of Japan, is a land of spiritual significance and natural beauty. It's renowned for the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, a network of ancient trails leading to the Kumano Sanzan, a group of three grand shrines that have been a spiritual destination for over a thousand years. Wakayama is also home to Mount Koya (Koyasan), the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, offering unique temple lodging experiences. The prefecture's coastline, part of the Kumano-Nada Sea, provides stunning beaches and hot springs, particularly in Shirahama. Wakayama's culinary scene includes specialties like Wakayama ramen and fresh, locally caught seafood. For foreign tourists, Wakayama Prefecture offers a journey into the heart of Japan's spiritual and natural world.