KUMANO TRAVEL

The Undersea Observation Tower "Coral Princess" is an excellent way to see a different perspective of Shirahama.  It is located 100 meters offshore behind Hotel Seamore.  The views from the tower offer a panoramic vista of the Ocean and surrounding landscape.  Down a winding set of stairs brings you below sea level where you can peak through 12 portholes to view the ocean bottom and over 30 species of colorful fish.  Sometimes it is hard to tell who is watching who, as the sea creatures look back through the windows at visitors!

The Kushimoto Marine Park was the first established marine park in Japan in July 1970, associated with the Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The Kushimoto Marine Park Center is a set of educational and sightseeing facilities focused on the marine environment in Kushimoto including an aquarium, underwater observation tower, glass-bottom boat tour, restaurant, souvenir shop, research station and diving park. The clear warm waters of the Kuroshio Current from the south washes along the coast in Kushimoto, the southernmost tip of Honshu (the main island of Japan) creating the perfect conditions for a coral reef, the most northern in the world.  This rich marine environment is registered under the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.  A visit to the Kushimoto Marine Park is an excellent chance to have a close encounter with this rare and beautiful underwater world.

Looking for an activity in the coastal fishing port of Katsuura in southeastern Wakayama?  Wanting to view the dramatic, rocky coastline dotted with beautiful islands closeup? 

Yes! Then the Ki-no-Matsushima Cruising is for you! 

This boat ride weaves in and out of the rugged Pacific coastline starting and finishing at the Katsuura port with a stopover in neighboring Taiji.

Earth Mate offers guided seakayaking excursions on the inner sections of the beautiful Tanabe Bay between Tanabe City and Shirahama Onsen.   There are a variety of trips for different levels of experience, including beginners. This is a wonderful way to spend some time exploring the Wakayama coastline by kayak!

Nanki Marine Leisure Service is a small business located in the tiny port of Ugui, between Shingu and Katsuura.  Fishermen in the area wanted to share the excitement of experiencing the beauty and power of the ocean they work on everyday with the local people and visitors alike.  This desire to share and explore led them to create whale watching tours.  The Kuroshio black current runs next to the southern tip of the Kii peninsula attracting a diversity of sea life, including whales and dolphins.  The fishing boats take guests out into this vast seascape in search of encounters with these awe-inspiring mammals.  Nature is impossible to control, but with the network of other fishermen in the area, chances are greatly increased to see dolphins and whales in their natural environment.  Free pick-up is available from accommodation in nearby Katsuura Onsen.

/// IMPORTANT ///
Nanki Marine Leisure Service can only accept reservations 1 month or less in advance.
Thank you for your understanding.

Mikisato E-gumi is a friendly sea kayaking outfitter based in Mikisato near Owase city in Mie Prefecture along the Iseji route of the Kumano Kodo.  Mikisato is a small beach settlement located in the upper reaches of a large bay on the rugged coastline of the Kii peninsula.  It is in this dramatic location that Mikisato e-gumi offers sea kayak activities for beginners and experienced paddlers.  A unique adventure is the “Kumano Kodo Ocean Trail Pilgrimage Sea Kayaking Experience” which retraces the waterway route that pilgrims took through this bay.  This is a unique way to actively enjoy a special aspect of the Kumano Kodo with a bilingual English-speaking guide.