Why More Travelers Are Skipping Tokyo and Kyoto and Choosing Wakayama Instead

When people think about visiting Japan, they usually picture Tokyo’s neon streets or Kyoto’s temples.
But something interesting has been happening lately.

In October 2024, Wakayama welcomed a record 107,700 international visitors, the highest number ever.

For a quiet coastal prefecture, that’s unusual.
So why are more travelers choosing places like Nachikatsuura over Japan’s major cities?

1. Nature That Feels Unhurried

Wakayama offers a kind of nature that feels untouched and spacious.

Forests, mountains, ocean views — places where you can slow down and breathe.
Nothing crowded. Nothing overwhelming.
Just simple, quiet landscapes that stay with you long after you leave.

2. A Deep Sense of Spiritual Heritage

Travelers come to walk the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage pilgrimage route once walked by emperors.

They visit Nachi Falls, one of Japan’s most iconic natural sites.
They step into temples that have been part of everyday life for centuries.
It’s calm, grounding, and very different from big-city sightseeing.

3. Everyday Life Moves Slower

In Wakayama, mornings are slow.
Meals are simple and mindful.
Neighbors greet you.
There’s space to think, talk, and notice the small details of daily life.

This unhurried rhythm is what many travelers say they’re missing in other places.

A Morning at Daitaiji Temple

At Otera Stay’s Daitaiji Temple, guests begin their day with quiet Zen meditation.
No pressure, no rules, just a moment to sit and reset.

Many guests tell us that this calm stays with them throughout the day.

Afterward, they wander part of the Kumano Kodo, listen to birds, feel the wind, and remember what it’s like to move slowly.

What Travelers Crave Now

It’s not just about taking photos or checking off famous spots.
People want:

・Time to pause

・Space to reflect

・Experiences that feel meaningful

・Encounters that feel genuine

Wakayama offers all of this naturally.

A Different Way to Experience Japan

If you’re looking for a quieter, more reflective way to travel, Wakayama might be the place for you.

Wakayama is showing that sometimes the most memorable parts of Japan are far away from the usual tourist routes.