Translation will broaden your world
“Taketoya (竹燈夜) which is held every year on the night of the first week of November, was held again this year, in which the inside of Wakayama Castle Park is decorated with bamboo lanterns.
Many people visited this year as well to see the fantastical appearance of Wakayama Castle, which is completely different from the usual.
In the pleasant weather, I took a leisurely walk through Shikinosato Park.
Autumn flowers such as cosmos and Japanese knotweed were blooming beautifully, and there were many fallen chestnuts (it seems that picking up chestnuts inside the park is prohibited), so I was able to fully enjoy this season.
The house next to the park was lined with tangerine trees full of fruit. On the way home, I bought some persimmons at the store across the street.
At Oishi Plateau across Kimino Town and Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, pampas grasses are spreading its ears all over.
Oishi Plateau, famous for its pampas grass, which boasts one of the best views in the Kansai region, is located at an altitude of 870 meters, and from the top of the mountain you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, and if the weather is good, you can even see Rokko, Awaji, and Shikoku.
I was also able to enjoy autumn flowers and fruits such as viburnums and cloves.
There is no public transportation that provides direct access to Oishi Plateau. The closest station is Kainan Station on the JR Kinokuni Line, which is a 40-minute drive from there. Please drive carefully in this area where the roads are narrow and it is difficult for cars to pass each other.
The other route is from the direction of Fujinami Station in Aridagawa Town, which takes a little longer but seems to be a safer route.
There are parking lots 1 to 3, all of which are free.
There are many restaurants in the area from around Wakayama Castle to Wakayama Station and Wakayama City Station, and if you start walking without deciding which restaurant to go to, you will end up getting confused and getting hungry.
In this town, I recommend eating outside when the weather is nice, using takeout, bread, and bento shops.
If you want to have lunch outdoors, Wakayama Castle is the place to go. There are many benches installed in Wakayama Castle Park, so unless it’s an event day, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to sit.
There are many restaurants in the area from around Wakayama Castle to Wakayama Station and Wakayama City Station, and if you start walking without deciding which restaurant to go to, you will end up getting confused and getting hungry. It will be.
In this town, we recommend eating outside when the weather is nice, using takeout, bread, and bento shops.
If you want to have lunch outdoors, Wakayama Castle is the place to go. There are many benches installed in Wakayama Castle Park, so unless it’s an event day, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to sit.
One of the best-kept secrets is the east side of the castle. Enter the castle from the Okaguchi Gate on the south side, walk north, and you will see Kuranomaru on your right. There you will find a long horizontal staircase called “Gangi” along the moat. When you go up the narrow steps, there are several benches where you can take a break while looking out at the moat.
It’s a little difficult to go up to the castle tower, but here you only have to climb up Gangi a little. Carp and turtles often swim in the moat, and various birds also gather there.
I think it’s a good place to relax when you want to take a short break.
On June 15, 2023, the “Aoba Festival” was held in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture to celebrate the birth of Kobo Daishi, Kukai. The Aoba Festival is held every year on June 15th, the day Kukai was born, and this year marks the 1250th anniversary of his birth.
In the morning, a memorial service called “Gotan-e” was held at Kongobu-ji Temple of Mt. Koya to celebrate the birth of a great monk, and about 100 people, including monks, chanted sutras. In addition, believers and tourists from all over the country poured sweet tea on the statue of Kobo Daishi’s child.
