Explore Kada, Wakayama's hidden gem

Kada is a coastal town in Wakayama Prefecture, a well-known spot for fishing enthusiasts, yet it's quite unfamiliar to tourists visiting Wakayama in particular and the Kansai region in general. Today, let’s explore why I call Kada the "Hidden Gem" of Wakayama Prefecture!

First, let's talk about how to get there. Kada is only 1 hour and 30 minutes by train from Namba Station (Osaka), making it very convenient. From Namba Station, take the Nankai Line (the line commonly used to reach Kansai Airport), then transfer at Wakayamashi Station, and switch to the Nankai – Kada Line, taking the train to Kada Station.

Kada Station Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YbDkYh1pcJBXryAJA

The trains from Wakayamashi Station to Kada Station immediately caught my attention. The train is beautifully decorated inside and out, with the main theme being sea bream, which is Kada's specialty fish.

There are a total of 4 different colors…

First location: Awashima Shrine (淡嶋神社)

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bBKhx8BGd9S5YgZm8

The temple is famous for its collection of over 20,000 dolls scattered around the grounds, especially the Hina dolls, which are traditional Japanese dolls for girls. This place is also believed to bring blessings for women's health, easy childbirth, and fulfillment in love.

Right in front of the temple gate, you'll find local specialty restaurants. The most famous dish is the grilled snail, which is something everyone should definitely try.

The special thing about the restaurants here is that there are many extremely lovely and hospitable cat "employees" 😀 😀.

The "staff" are coming out to welcome me 😀

And this is my meal today: grilled snails with dessert. There are only a few restaurants around this area, and they mainly serve local seafood specialties. If you're not a fan of seafood, remember to buy food at the convenience store at Wakayamashi Station before coming here. Please keep that in mind!

The next location, right in front of Awashima Shrine, is a road about 500 meters long that leads to a lighthouse.

This road is vibrantly decorated with a wall painted with images of creatures living under the sea.

Let's see some pictures on this colorful wall:

At the end of this road is a lighthouse, which is also a popular spot for fishing. However, it's also a great place to take many beautiful photos with the sea, so don't miss it.

Let's take a few photos with the sea.

This coastline is a popular spot for fishing. If you want to swim, you’ll need to go to a beach about 1 km away. On the way to the beach, I also passed a harbor where local fishing boats are docked. The scene here is quite similar to the fishing village of Ine in Kyoto.

Kada Beach Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dpn93Svddzii8uZ8

The sea water here is extremely clear, the sand is fine, and you can also rent tents, camping gear, or BBQ grills here.

The next location I visited, and the most beautiful one of the day, is called Jogasaki, a place that many people overlook when visiting Kada. It's a rocky outcrop that juts straight into the sea, offering a panoramic view of the entire area, with many great photo spots from here.

Jogasaki address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8vNCVuZCnxTCwFN7

Jogasaki is about 1km from Kada Beach, so it is easy to walk there. There are also many beautiful photo spots along the way where you can stop and take pictures. Let's see some of the photos I took on the way to Jogasaki .

By the time I got here, it was around 4 p.m. The sun was starting to turn yellow and softer, and the colors in the photos became even more beautiful.

Below is also a cliff that offers a view of the lighthouse from earlier.

In the distance, there is a hotel with a very beautiful view that everyone can experience.

KYUKAMURA KISHU KADA HOTEL address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7pt9NouPfQxAxFL29

In Kada, you’ll also often encounter stray cats along the way, some of which are very friendly 😀.

During the summer, the sunset in Kada usually occurs around 6-7 p.m. So, I went back to the beach area to take photos of the sunset before heading back.

Wall of paintings, Kada's signature.

When I arrived at the beach, it was also the most beautiful sunset.

Sunset at the sea is always what attracts me the most because it lasts so long, accompanied by the deep yellow sunlight that not every place has.

This is the end of my day exploring Kada Beach. It’s an incredibly peaceful coastal town, little known and rarely visited by tourists, so you can fully enjoy your trip in the most relaxing way.

In addition to the locations I’ve already introduced, if you have more time to stay here, you can also explore Jinoshima, an island known as the most beautiful uninhabited island in Japan. It offers camping, BBQ, and guided island tours with professional guides. For more details about the island, you can refer to the official website at the following link: https://jinoshima.jp/.

Don't forget to Follow me on Instagram ( miles_gallery09 ) or Subscribe to receive notifications every time I have a new post.

***************************************************************************************************************

Explore our useful services in Japan:

• Taking photos of individuals, couples, and families in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara: See more HERE
• Plan and schedule your trip to Japan: See more HERE
• eSim data, pocket wifi travel in Japan: See more HERE

***************************************************************************************************************

*** Please read the Copyright & Collaboration requirements carefully before copying or quoting the blog's content and images. Thank you.