





Deep in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, the Ota River flows from its source at Mount Nachi down into the Kumano-nada Sea. This 24-kilometer-long river basin is a haven of breathtaking natural scenery, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. The Irokawa district upstream is a picturesque mountain village where people, nature, and animals coexist harmoniously. The Ota district, situated in the middle reaches of the river, features a serene rural landscape where rice cultivation thrives. Along the coast, the Shimosato and Uragami areas offer a maritime town atmosphere, rich in history and culture. This region invites visitors to experience deep connections with locals, nature, and each other.
From Shin-Osaka Station to Kii-Katsuura Station by JR Limited Express (4 hours)
From Nagoya Station to Kii-Katsuura Station by JR Limited Express (3 hours and 50 minutes)
From Nanki-Shirahama Airport to Shirahama Station by Meiko Bus, then transfer to JR Limited Express to Kii-Katsuura Station (1 hour and 50 minutes)
From Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) at Shinjuku Station to Katsuura Onsen on the Seibu Bus Nanki-Katsuura Line (10 hours)
Ota River Basin Farming Promotion Council
URL (Japanese only) :
Email :
Email Languages :
Japanese, English, Spanish
This hostel, located just a 10-second walk from Kii-Katsuura Station, is perfect for solo travelers and those who want to enjoy the company of fellow travelers. It offers two types of rooms: capsule and private. Nearby, you’ll find the apartment rental hotel WhyKumano Annex Maguro Building and whole-floor holiday rental WhyKumano UNWINED.
Address :
2F 5-1-3 Tsukiji, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Telephone Number :
+81 (0)735-30-0921
Telephone Languages :
Japanese, English
Access :
short walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station
Check-in :
4:00 p.m.
Check-out :
10:00 a.m.
Rates :
From ¥4,000 per person per night without meals
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Bedroom :
Private room for up to 3 persons, lockable, Western beds
Bathroom :
Lockable bathroom available, bathtub available (from check-in until check-out)
Toilet :
Western style
Meals :
Shared kitchen available
Wi-Fi :
Available
Website URL :
Reservation Website URL :
This farmhouse, located in the nature-rich Irokawa area, offers an immersive rural experience. The farm grows vegetables using organic, pesticide-free methods, and guests are welcome to participate in farm work and experience daily life as an honorary member of the family. The hosts, who have lived abroad, including in Thailand, can provide Thai food upon request. Guests can also enjoy a variety of fun hands-on activities, such as feeding the family donkey, Gaspal.
Address :
1246 Ono, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Telephone Number :
+81 (0)735-30-1088
Telephone Languages :
Japanese, English, Thai
Access :
From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take the Choei Bus Irokawa Line to Onobashi (1 hour). The farmhouse is just in front of the bus stop.
Check-in :
2:00 p.m.
Check-out :
10:00 a.m.
Rates :
From ¥8,000 per person per night with 2 meals (when 2 or more people stay in one room)
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Bedroom :
Private room for up to 4 persons, lockable, Japanese futons
Bathroom :
Lockable bathroom available, bathtub available (winter only) (from check-in until check-out)
Toilet :
Western style
Meals :
Dinner, Breakfast
Wi-Fi :
Available
Website URL :
Reservation Website URL :
This interactive restaurant offers a unique experience where visitors tour food production sites, including farms, fisheries, and poultry farms. After harvesting and sourcing your own ingredients, you can cook and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with producers and experience the bounty of nature firsthand.
Address :
37 Ono, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Access :
From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take the Choei Bus Irokawa Line to Enmanji Park (50 minutes), then walk for 2 minutes.
Opening Hours :
Meet at 3:00 p.m., start eating at 7 p.m., ends at 10:00 p.m.
Closed :
Irregular holidays
Cuisine :
Creative cuisine using organic vegetables, game meat, and free-range chicken and eggs
Foreign Language Menu :
Not available
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Website URL (Japanese only) :
Reservation Website URL (Japanese only) :
This unique restaurant is run by a poet and his fishmonger wife, specializing is obantxos, a fusion of Kyoto's home-style obanzai and Spanish pintxos. Their dishes blend local ingredients with seafood, such as fresh tuna and lobster, creating a delightful fusion of flavors.
Address :
333 Katsuura, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Telephone Number :
+81 (0)70-4087-6762
Telephone Languages :
Japanese
Access :
4-minute walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station
Opening Hours :
11:00 a.m.–2 p.m., 7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Closed :
Sundays, Mondays
Cuisine :
Spanish cuisine, Japanese cuisine
Foreign Language Menu :
To be confirmed by the Council
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Website URL (Japanese only) :
Located along the Kumano Kodo ancient road, the 1,200-year-old Daitai-ji Temple offers a variety of unique temple experiences. Visitors can experience the teachings of Buddhism through calming zazen meditation and sutra copying, and cleanse the body with ‘morning rice porridge,’ a breakfast unique to the temple. Tours to view the temple's Buddhist statues are also popular.
Address :
775 Shimowada, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Telephone Number :
+81 (0)80-2781-3483
Telephone Languages :
Japanese, English
Access :
From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take the Choei Bus Ota Line to Shimowada (20 minutes), then walk for 5 minutes.
Duration :
Varies by experience
Fee :
Seated meditation ¥1,000, sutra copying ¥1,000, morning rice porridge ¥1,500
Languages Supported :
Japanese, English
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Website URL :
Reservation Website URL :
Reservations :
Reserve via the reservation website
Enjoy a 1-night, 2-day hunting adventure in Irokawa, a lush woodland located about 40 minutes from the town center. The experience begins with setting traps in the mountains, followed by a night tour. The next day involves dismantling the traps, visiting local farmers, and cooking the game meat. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into life in Japan’s traditional woodlands and invites contemplation on the relationship between people and animals.
Address :
43 Ono, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Access :
From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take the Choei Bus Irokawa line to Minami Hirano (30 minutes), then walk for 5 minutes.
Duration :
2 days (negotiable)
Fee :
From ¥20,000 per person per night (varies depending on the number of people, programs, etc.; consultation required)
Languages Supported :
Japanese, English
Accepted Credit Cards :
VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Website URL (Japanese only) :
Reservation Website URL (Japanese only) :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsRa0Mcf7b9KHxiVlTSGwLxpU70TQYeUhkQ-lkc_5RzLrJkQ/viewform
Reservations :
Reserve via the reservation website
Hokkaido
Tohoku
Hokuriku/
Shinshu
Kanto
Tokai
Kansai
Shikoku
Kyushu
Okinawa