Visiting Kumano Sanzan
by Philbert Ono Wakayama Prefecture’s triumvirate of famous attractions is Koya-san (高野山), Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山), and Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) on the Kii Peninsula, one of the most sacred areas of…
Japan Blog by Philbert Ono
by Philbert Ono Wakayama Prefecture’s triumvirate of famous attractions is Koya-san (高野山), Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山), and Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) on the Kii Peninsula, one of the most sacred areas of…
Wakayama Prefecture is most famous for Koya-san (Mt. Koya 高野山), the headquarters of the Shingon Buddhist sect founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai); the Kumano Sanzan Shinto shrine trio (熊野三山) deifying…
Wakayama Castle (和歌山城) is the symbol of the city with impressive castle buildings including the main castle tower reconstructed in October 1958. Although it’s more famous for cherry blossoms, Wakayama…
WAKAYAMA – Poetry Mountain 和歌山県 Updated: Dec. 15, 2024 Most Japan aficionados would know that waka (和歌) is a famous type of Japanese poetry. So you might think Wakayama is…
by Philbert Ono, updated Dec. 15, 2024 “Suzuki” (鈴木) is Japan’s No. 2 most common family name, right behind “Sato.” The name’s meaning is very puzzling because the meaning of…
Years ago, my very first trip to Wakayama Prefecture included a visit to Minabe Plum Grove, Japan’s largest ume plum grove. It was fabulous. Plum blossoms covered the hills as…