Kozannji Temple was founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (the great teacher who spread the dharma), and is lined with many halls, including a multi-storey pagoda that was built during the Edo period. The cemetery at the temple overlooks the sea and is the resting place of Kumagusu Minakata, a giant of knowledge, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Many archaeological artifacts have been found in the shell mounds on the temple precincts, including "Kozanji-style earthenware" decorated with oshigata-mon and yoriito-mon.

The shopping street in front of Tanabe Station was also a ‘post town’ on the way to the World Heritage Sites, Tokei Shrine- which divided the fate of the Genpei war, and Kumano Kodo. Last year's landscape improvement project eliminated electricity poles and transformed the arcades into shades (small roofs). The image of the town has completely changed and at night, the arcade is a feast for the eyes with its indirect lighting.

Minakata Kumagusu was a pioneer in the field of natural history and folklore, and one of Japan's leading botanists. In order to honor his achievements, the museum was opened in 2006, and the building is adjacent to the residence where he spent the last 25 years of his life. The museum is known as a center for the permanent preservation and use of his valuable collection of books and materials, and for the promotion of research on Kumagusu.

Kozannji Temple was founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (the great teacher who spread the dharma), and is lined with many halls, including a multi-storey pagoda that was built during the Edo period. The cemetery at the temple overlooks the sea and is the resting place of Kumagusu Minakata, a giant of knowledge, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Many archaeological artifacts have been found in the shell mounds on the temple precincts, including "Kozanji-style earthenware" decorated with oshigata-mon and yoriito-mon.

The shopping street in front of Tanabe Station was also a ‘post town’ on the way to the World Heritage Sites, Tokei Shrine- which divided the fate of the Genpei war, and Kumano Kodo. Last year's landscape improvement project eliminated electricity poles and transformed the arcades into shades (small roofs). The image of the town has completely changed and at night, the arcade is a feast for the eyes with its indirect lighting.

Minakata Kumagusu was a pioneer in the field of natural history and folklore, and one of Japan's leading botanists. In order to honor his achievements, the museum was opened in 2006, and the building is adjacent to the residence where he spent the last 25 years of his life. The museum is known as a center for the permanent preservation and use of his valuable collection of books and materials, and for the promotion of research on Kumagusu.

Nanki-Shirahama Airport is the only airport in Wakayama Prefecture, and is located at the southernmost tip of Honshu. It was privatized in 2019, and an expansion is planned for 2021. The airport has a number of advanced initiatives such as facial recognition and the use of robotics. In the future, the airport is expected to lead the way in re-thinking the entire city as a "theme park" or "cultural facility", conveying information, connecting people, maximizing the attractiveness of the region.

Hotel Kawakyu, Japan's pride and joy, is a “dream castle”, a miraculous piece of architecture filled with the dreams and passion of its founder, owner and the craftsmen who were involved its construction. With a fervor that is truly insane, they have created an extraordinary world in Nanki Shirahama. The gold leaf ceiling appears in the Guinness Book of World Records, and there are luxury wine cellars, pillars, ornate chairs, chandeliers, and other fixtures in the hotel which are all of first-class quality. In 2021, the hotel opened the Kawakyu Museum, where you can admire works by masters from various periods and places such as Dali and Chagall, and Taikan Yokoyama respectively.

Wakayama Adventure World is home to 1,400 animals made up of 140 species from land, sea, and air. Known for its successful panda breeding (up to now, 7 pandas have been bred including Fuhin, born last year) and dolphin shows. It is one of Japan's leading zoos and entertainment facilities and has been creating "smile (= happiness)" through human-animal interaction for over 40 years.

The Pearl Building is a commercial center that still stands in front of Shirahama Station. It used to be crowded with honeymooners, tourists and local people, and the special pearl products from Shirahama were very popular. In the near future, the building, which now retains only a few vestiges of days gone by, a new generation of owners will soon take over the building, and they are expected to revive the formerly bustling atmosphere.

Nanki-Shirahama is a tourist destination blessed with natural beauty and many attractive ingredients. The white sand beaches offer the chance to swim with tropical fish, and the Kuroshio Current which flows offshore provides a mild climate all year round. The town has been reputed as a therapeutic hot spring resort since the Manyo period (710-794) and is dotted with many hot spring inns and day-trip bathing facilities. In recent years, the town has become the focus of much attention as a mecca for work and holiday (‘workcation’), thanks to the spread of information and communication technology.

Nanki-Shirahama Airport is the only airport in Wakayama Prefecture, and is located at the southernmost tip of Honshu. It was privatized in 2019, and an expansion is planned for 2021. The airport has a number of advanced initiatives such as facial recognition and the use of robotics. In the future, the airport is expected to lead the way in re-thinking the entire city as a "theme park" or "cultural facility", conveying information, connecting people, maximizing the attractiveness of the region.

Hotel Kawakyu, Japan's pride and joy, is a “dream castle”, a miraculous piece of architecture filled with the dreams and passion of its founder, owner and the craftsmen who were involved its construction. With a fervor that is truly insane, they have created an extraordinary world in Nanki Shirahama. The gold leaf ceiling appears in the Guinness Book of World Records, and there are luxury wine cellars, pillars, ornate chairs, chandeliers, and other fixtures in the hotel which are all of first-class quality. In 2021, the hotel opened the Kawakyu Museum, where you can admire works by masters from various periods and places such as Dali and Chagall, and Taikan Yokoyama respectively.

Wakayama Adventure World is home to 1,400 animals made up of 140 species from land, sea, and air. Known for its successful panda breeding (up to now, 7 pandas have been bred including Fuhin, born last year) and dolphin shows. It is one of Japan's leading zoos and entertainment facilities and has been creating "smile (= happiness)" through human-animal interaction for over 40 years.

The Pearl Building is a commercial center that still stands in front of Shirahama Station. It used to be crowded with honeymooners, tourists and local people, and the special pearl products from Shirahama were very popular. In the near future, the building, which now retains only a few vestiges of days gone by, a new generation of owners will soon take over the building, and they are expected to revive the formerly bustling atmosphere.

Nanki-Shirahama is a tourist destination blessed with natural beauty and many attractive ingredients. The white sand beaches offer the chance to swim with tropical fish, and the Kuroshio Current which flows offshore provides a mild climate all year round. The town has been reputed as a therapeutic hot spring resort since the Manyo period (710-794) and is dotted with many hot spring inns and day-trip bathing facilities. In recent years, the town has become the focus of much attention as a mecca for work and holiday (‘workcation’), thanks to the spread of information and communication technology.