Wakayama Prefecture, located in Japan’s southern Kansai region, is a spiritually attuned and naturally beautiful destination famous for its religious pilgrimages, cultural sites, and temple stays, as well as its alluring forests, mountains, and beaches. Wakayama borders tourist hotspots like Osaka and Nara and is near Kyoto, making it an ideal addition to your exploration of this region.
Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura—located in the town of Nachi-Katsuura, the closest area to Kumano Kodo and Nachi Falls— is an excellent base for sightseeing in Wakayama. The oceanside hotel is built directly on Nachi Bay and features stylish guest rooms—Western and Japanese—luxurious dining, and hot springs. The facility was recently renovated and reopened on July 1, 2024 and is guaranteed to enhance your trip.
If you are interested in adding Wakayama to your itinerary, read on to learn more about Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura and sightseeing in the surrounding area.
The Kamenoi Hotel brand
Kamenoi Hotel operates 39 facilities across Japan—from northern Aomori Prefecture to southern Kumamoto Prefecture—and aims to showcase each region’s natural sceneries and hot spring types while delivering exceptional Japanese hospitality. Kamenoi Hotel immerses guests in their locations by providing views of the encircling landscapes, using local ingredients in their dishes, and recommending regional sightseeing spots. At Kamenoi Hotel, you can enjoy both luxurious hospitality and the surrounding area’s blessings.
Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura
Guest rooms
Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura offers four different room types: rooms with personal open-air baths, Japanese-Western rooms, Western-style rooms, and Japanese-style rooms. These rooms can accommodate two to eight people—making them suitable for small and large groups—and feature stylish interiors that merge Japanese aesthetics with modern designs. Hot spring water is even drawn into most of the guest rooms’ baths, allowing you to enjoy the relaxing waters in your own room.
Rooms with personal open-air baths
These lavish rooms have open-air baths that grant you mesmerizing panoramas of the ocean and verdant mountains beyond. You can choose between deluxe Japanese-Western suites, Japanese-style rooms, and Western-style rooms. This room type is great for people who would like privacy while they soak in a hot spring bath.
Japanese-Western rooms
The Japanese-Western guest rooms have both tatami rooms and Western-style bedrooms, allowing you to enjoy the comfort of both traditional Japanese interiors alongside a more familiar setting.
Western-style and Japanese-style rooms
The differentiating feature between the Western- and Japanese-style rooms is that the former has Western-style beds and the latter has tatami and futon. Since the Japanese-style room can sleep more people, we recommend it for large groups.
Cuisine
Thanks to its bountiful location, Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura is blessed with fresh seafood from Kumano-nada Sea and seasonal ingredients unique to Kumano. Some highlights include fresh tuna, Kumano beef (a local high-grade meat), spiny lobster, and abalone. The tuna sourced from Katsuura Fishing Port, which has the highest catch of tuna in Japan, is exceptionally fresh and never frozen, giving it a chewy texture that sets it apart from thawed tuna. Enjoy the original taste of tuna! The hotel’s dinner options include kaiseki—a traditional multi-course Japanese meal—and à la carte options. The exceedingly fresh flavors and refined dishes beautifully showcase the area’s local gastronomy.
For breakfast, the hotel prepares Japanese-style meals centered on the catch of the day from Katsuura Fishing Port.
If you have a hankering for a nighttime snack, the hotel offers free Dandanmen noodles from 9pm–10:30pm (limited to one cup per person). Try the monthly sichuan, black sesame, or white sesame! The comforting dish is a perfect way to end your culinary journey.
Hot springs
Embrace utter relaxation at the hotel’s indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. Nourished by the alkaline simple spring water of Katsuura hot spring, the hotel’s baths are known to have a moisturizing effect on the skin.
While both the indoor and outdoor baths are rejuvenating, the outdoor one elevates the bathing experience with captivating vistas of the sea, Kumano mountains, and even Nachi Falls. As you sink into the healing waters, the melody of the tide and calming nature views will lull your mind, body, and soul into contentment.
Other amenities
In addition to its already exceptional offerings, Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura is also home to a Library Cafe Lounge—where you can learn more about the history and culture of the area—souvenir shop, entertainment lounge, play area, table tennis room, and smoking room.
People of all ages will love the retro games in the entertainment lounge and play area, and karaoke is a must for an authentic Japanese experience! Please note that reservations are required for the Karaoke room.
Five nearby sightseeing spots
Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura’s seaside location and close proximity to many of Wakayama’s top destinations make it a great base for sightseeing.
1. Kumano Kodo (Daimonzaka route)
Without a doubt, one of Wakayama’s most famous attractions is Kumano Kodo. This network of pilgrimage trails weaves across Wakayama, Nara, Osaka, and Mie and has been used by travelers for over a millennia to move between sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the heart of this religious pilgrimage is the Kumano Sanzan, which are three revered shrines situated in southern Wakayama.
While the entire pilgrimage is an impressive 370 kilometers, the one-kilometer Daimonzaka route offers you a glimpse of this sacred path. Characterized by its moss-adorned, cobblestone staircase and centuries old trees, this path is beloved for retaining its original appearance. You can even rent Heian Period (794-1185) attire and take photos along the path to immortalize your journey. The tranquil environment is guaranteed to inspire introspection.
- 27-minute bus ride from Katsuurakyoku-mae bus stop near the hotel
- 11-minute car ride
2. Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine
Conveniently about a 20-minute walk from the entrance of the Daimonzaka route, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine is one of the three Kumano Sanzan. This vermilion shrine rests approximately halfway up Nachi Mountain and serves as a prime example of the coexistence between Shintoism and Buddhism in Kumano. Seigantoji—a Buddhist temple beside the shrine—is renowned for its postcard-esque views of its three-story pagoda and Nachi Falls. The juxtaposition of the vibrant pagoda against the nature-encircled waterfall creates an enchanting perspective of Japan.
- 34-minute bus ride from Katsuurakyoku-mae bus stop near the hotel
- 16-minute car ride
3. Nachi Falls
Nachi Falls has been worshiped since ancient times as a Shinto deity and is recognized as one of Japan’s top three waterfalls, as well as its tallest waterfall. At the base of the waterfall you can visit Hiro Shrine’s observation deck and even taste the water, which is said to bestow good fortune and a long life. The powerful display of nature, sacred atmosphere, and surrounding nature are spellbinding.
- 30-minute bus ride from Katsuurakyoku-mae bus stop near the hotel
- 14-minute car ride
4. Ki no Matsushima cruise
Ki no Matsushima is the collective name for over 130 islets located just outside Katsuura Port. The name—Ki no Matsushima—was inspired by Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, which is regarded as one of Japan’s three most scenic spots. Similarly, Ki no Matsushima is a beautiful sight to behold, featuring rugged outcroppings decorated in greenery sitting atop the blue sea. You can experience this natural landscape up close with a Ki no Matsushima cruise that departs from Katsuura Port. The boat rides are typically 30 or 55 minutes.
- 15-minute walk to Katsuura Port for the cruise
- 3-minute car ride
5. Katsuura Gyoko Nigiwai-Ichiba
If you are looking for some fresh seafood, be sure to visit Katsuura Gyoko Nigiwai-Ichiba, a seafood market located at Nachikatsuura Fishing Port. This market is beloved for its fresh tuna and offers a variety of dishes, including sushi, sashimi, udon, rice bowls, and set meals. You can pair your meal with a local craft beer and even pick up some Wakayama souvenirs! The tuna’s unparalleled flavor and freshness will make you fall in love at first bite. To learn more about the processes behind your delectable meal, you can also observe a live tuna auction at the adjacent Katsuura Fishing Port for a fee.
- 12-minute walk
- 3-minute car ride
Visit Wakayama
With its sacred forest trails, cultural sites, oceanside vistas, and more, Wakayama is a blessed destination that inspires mental and physical rejuvenation. At Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura, you can elevate your Wakayama experience with refined cuisine, nourishing hot springs, luxurious rooms, and scenic panoramas. The hotel’s ideal location also ensures that you can easily explore some of the prefecture’s top sightseeing spots. So, for an unforgettable Wakayama adventure, don’t forget Kamenoi Hotel Nachi-Katsuura!
