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ITINERARIES A Gourmand's Trip with a Side of History Sample great local cuisine while exploring beautiful historic sites

A trip for your tastebuds, this itinerary is all about sampling local cuisine, from exquisite grouper hot pot to simple kushikatsu and satisfying ramen. Along the way, feast your eyes on some of Japan's most amazing castles and temples.

Highlights

Feast on fresh oysters at an oyster hut in Hiroshima
Visit the elegant Himeji Castle
Sample Buddhist cuisine at Mt. Koya's many temples

How to Get There

SIN-KIX 6 hours 10 minutes

Day 1

From Kansai International Airport 45 minutes

 

Wakayama Ramen

Indulge in tasty Wakayama Ramen

 

A trip to Wakayama isn't complete without trying a bowl of Wakayama Ramen, which is called ‘chuka soba' locally. Each restaurant has their own unique recipe, although Wakayama Ramen usually has a base of pork broth flavoured with soy sauce (tonkotsu shoyu). Locals often pair this dish with sushi!

 

30 minutes

 

Medetai Train

Enjoy the happy atmosphere aboard the Medetai Train

 

A sightseeing train along the Kada Sakana Line, Medetai Train is named after the area's specialty: sea bream (medetai in Japanese). Not only does the pink exterior resemble a sea bream, but the interior is dotted with emblems of this fish. It's a fun way to explore Kada town.

 

 

Kada Onsen

Soak in hot springs at Kada Onsen and enjoy the scenic view

 

Kada Onsen is located in the westernmost part of Wakayama Prefecture overlooking the picturesque Kada Bay, so you can enjoy the view while soaking in the hot springs at one of the many ryokan hot spring hotels in the area. The waters are known to moisturise and smoothen the skin.

 

Day 2

30 minutes

 

Tomogashima

Visit the inspiration for the setting of a famous Japanese animation

 

At Tomogashima, a group of islands off Wakayama, the main draw is the abandoned military fort – specifically Battery 3, a red brick structure which resembles the setting for a famous Japanese animated film. Magnificent views can be had from Tomogashima Lighthouse and Takanosu Observation Platform.

 

35 minutes

 

Awashima Shrine

The dolls of Awashima Shrine

 

Awashima Shrine is famous for its display of traditional Japanese dolls, donated by people from around the country, displayed on its vermilion-coloured front hall. The “Hina Nagashi” ritual takes place at here every year, when women visit the shrine to pray for childbirth and fertility.

 

1 hour

 

Wakayama Castle

A picture-perfect site that is symbolic of Wakayama

 

Now a public park, Wakayama Castle dates back to the late 1500s. Sitting atop a small hill, it features a tower that exhibits samurai weaponry. Within its grounds is the Nishi-no-Maru garden with a waterfall and maple trees, making it popular for its autumn foliage as well as cherry blossoms.

 

Approx. 1 hour

 

Grouper Hot Pot

Get a taste of exquisite grouper hotpot in Wakayama

 

One of the most prized Japanese delicacies is the kue (longtooth grouper) – with its springy and gelatinous texture, this richly-flavoured and fatty fish is perfect for a hot pot meal. Kue Hotpot is a Wakayama specialty, where the fish is mixed in a hot pot with vegetables and tofu.

 

Day 3

Approx. 3 hours

 

Mount Koya

Bask in the serene atmosphere of Mt Koya

 

Mt Koya is the centre of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect, where you can experience a monk's lifestyle at a temple lodging at one of 50 temples here. Explore the temples – like the Kongobuji Temple and Danjo-garan – along pilgrimage trails that line the mountain.

 

10 minutes

 

Okunoin Temple

Visit the largest cemetery in Japan

 

Okunoin Temple houses the largest cemetery in Japan, the final resting place of over 200,000 souls. The Ichinohashi Bridge is the traditional entrance to Okunoin, where visitors have to bow to Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. Legend states that he is eternally meditating at the mausoleum.

 

 

Buddhist Cuisine

Experience healthy Buddhist Cuisine

 

At Mt Koya, you have the rare opportunity to try Buddhist vegetarian cuisine that has been passed down through the ages, including local delicacies like Koya tofu and sesame tofu dishes. Dishes do not include meat, fish or strong-smelling vegetables, emphasising instead on cooking methods, seasonings, and colour balance.

 

Day 4

1 hour 35 minutes

 

Kushikatsu

Savour Osaka's local must-try dish, kushikatsu

 

Osaka is famous for kushikatsu, which originated from Shinsekai. Kushikatsu consists of meat or vegetables cut into smaller portions that have been skewered, battered (with breadcrumbs) and then deep-fried. These cheap and convenient meal-on-sticks are dipped into a brown, savoury sauce before eating.

 

Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes

 

Himeji Castle

Appreciate the beauty of Himeji Castle

 

Himeji is considered Japan's most spectacular castle thanks to its elegant white exterior. One of Japan's 12 original castles that survived intact since its construction, the complex consists of over 80 buildings spanning over multiple baileys, connected by gates and winding paths. In spring, it's popular for its cherry blossoms.

 

Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

 

Hiroshima

A city steeped in ancient and modern history

 

Even though Hiroshima is known worldwide because of its devastating past (the Peace Park is a great commemoration site), it is also home to some of Japan's most scenic sites, like Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle. The city's most famous cuisine is its own unique style of okonomiyaki.

 

Day 5

40 minutes

 

Miyajima

Explore Miyajima, one of the top three scenic spots in Japan

 

Miyajima, an island located in Hiroshima Bay, is the famous home of Itsukushima Shrine with its “floating” red torii gate, as well as Toyokuni Shrine, which contains a hall of 1,000 tatami mats and a five-storied pagoda. Visit Omotesando Shopping Street for souvenirs like their famous momiji manju.

 

Approx. 1 hour

 

Hiking Mt Misen

Challenge yourself with a hike up Mt Misen

 

Mt Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima at 500m above sea level. There are three hiking trails that lead up to the peak. When the sky is clear, hikers can get a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and even Hiroshima City once they reach the top.

 

1 hour

 

Peace Memorial Park

Discover Hiroshima's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park

 

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is located in the heart of the city and serves to commemorate the atomic bomb victims from 1945. It contains the Peace Memorial Museum, the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome and the newly-built Orizuru Tower with its observation deck, spiral slope and cafe.

 

Approx. 40 minutes

 

Oyster hut (Ujina)

Feast on oysters at the oyster hut in Ujina

 

Hiroshima is the top prefecture in Japan for producing oysters. In winter, the shoreline of the Seto Inland Sea becomes the Hiroshima Oyster Road where plenty of oyster huts offer fresh, affordable oysters. The closest hut to Hiroshima City is Kakigoya Ujina, where you can enjoy freshly-grilled oysters. *winter only, summer holiday closed

 

Day 6

45 minutes

 

The Outlets Hiroshima

Be entertained at The Outlets Hiroshima

 

The Outlets Hiroshima has around 200 stores with quality brands from Japan and around the world, so you can shop til you drop. This large mall also has other facilities like a cinema, indoor ice rink, and bowling alleys, so all generations can be entertained.

 

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