Wakayama-jo Castle, the symbol of Wakayama Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the castle in 1585 after he unified Kishu. After the formation of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Yorinobu, the tenth child of Tokugawa Ieyasu, moved into the castle in 1619 and had a large scale repairment done. Since then, it was the residential castle of Tokugawa Gosanke Kishu branch, and the reign by the family lasted for the next 250 years. The present donjon was the one rebuilt in 1958 as the castle had been burnt several times by thunderbolts and war damage. There are many items relating to Kishu domain displayed inside the donjon. Around the castle is now a park with a famous garden, Momiji-dani garden, made by Yorinobu, which shouldn't be missed. Admission: 350 yen / Open 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closes at 4:00 p.m. December - February) 10 min. by bus from JR Wakayama station ; get off at Koen-mae.

Kimii-dera Temple, a temple famous for its cherry blossoms It is the second temple of 33 Buddhist temples for pilgrimage in western Japan. Its beautiful cherry blossoms inspired Matsuo Basho (a haiku poet in the late 17th century) to write a haiku on it. It is located at the top of a set of steep stone stairs with 231 steps, and the hard work of going up the steps leads us to the magnificent view of Wakano-ura Bay. Important cultural properties there include the bell tower, the main temple and Taho-to Tower, and are well worth seeing. Admission: 50 yen, admission to Homotsu-do (the treasure hall): 100 yen / Open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / 073-444-1002 10 min. walk from JR Kimii-dera Station.

Yosuien, a chisen-kaiyu style of garden using sea water Tokugawa Harutomi, the tenth lord of Kishu domain, built the garden, spending 8 years for completion from 1818. This chisen-kaiyu (many pleasures around a central pond) style of garden is graced with a pond surrounded by pine trees with its water drawn from the sea, Yosui-tei with the sukiya style of building, the elegant tea room, and the stone-made Mitsu-bashi Bridge, which was modeled on the one at Lake Xihu in China. Different flowers and trees enhance its beauty season by season: irises in spring, hydrangea in summer, tinted leaves in autumn, and camellias in winter. Admission: 600 yen / Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (April - August, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) / 073-444-1430 35 min. from JR Wakayama Station by bus; get off at Yosuien-mae, 7 min. walk from the bus stop.

Bandoko Garden, one of the best scenic spots in Wakayama This lawn garden on top of the cliff jutting out to the strait was where a lookout to watch for kurofune (ships from the West) was placed in the age of feudality. The view with some small islands, such as Oshima, Nakano-shima and Futago-jima, from the garden is quite refreshing. Admission:Adults 500 yen / Open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., April - August) Closed on rainy days. / 073-444-6533 45 min. by bus from JR Wakayama Station; get off at Saikazaki-Yuen, 15 min. walk from the bus stop.

Tosho-gu Shrine, which holds an marvelous engraving on ranma by Hidari Jingoro (an engraver in early Yedo Period) The first lord of the Kishu domain, Tokugawa Yorinobu, built this shrine to worship his father, Ieyasu. Although there is a charge for touring the main shrine, where magnificent decoration is done, you will be given full explanation by a shrine maiden. The engraving by Hidari Jingoro on the ranma (an openwork screen above the sliding partitions between rooms) and wall paintings by the Kano school are something that shouldn't be missed. Admission: 300 yen / Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (winter time 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) / 073-444-0808 25 min. by bus from Wakayama Station; get off at Gongen-mae, 1 min. walk.