【Campaign Ongoing!】Taking a Break During Your Kumano Trip? Here's Some Convenient Drive-Ins!

• Table of Contents
• The Charm of Kumano
• 1. Kumano River River, a village of Toro Gorge Tours
• 2. Mount Nachi Tourist Center
• 3. Kushimoto Hashiguiiwa Roadside Station
• 4. Cape Shionomisaki Tourist Tower
• Access Information
• Limited time campaign underway!

The Charm of Kumano

The Kumano region, located in the Nanbu of Wakayama Prefecture , is known for the Kumano Kodo trails, which are registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the " Kii Mountains Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," the Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Motomiya Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, and Mount Nachi Seiganto-ji Temple), and the scenery created by the rich natural environment.

The number of tourists visiting the Kumano region is increasing every year, and many people from Japan and abroad walk the Kumano Kodo trails, tour the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and enjoy the spectacular natural scenery at places like Doro Gorge and Nachi Falls.

Knowing about convenient spots to rest, eat, or buy local specialties in between sightseeing is an important piece of information for any trip.

In this article, we will introduce drive-ins that you should stop by when traveling in the Kumano region. They are not just rest areas, but also places where you can enjoy Kumano's food culture and local specialties.

And what's more, they have started selling special items that can only be purchased at these four drive-ins! At the end of the article, there is a product introduction and a discount coupon. Please read to the end.

Kumano Tourism Development (company in charge) website

1. Kumano River River, a village of Toro Gorge Tours

Located in Kumano River , Shingu City City, " Kumano River Meguri no Sato Kumanogawa" is a drive-in that serves as a base for sightseeing at Dorokyo, a national special scenic spot. The clear waters of the Kumano River flow nearby, and you can feel the nature and openness of the four seasons.

The vast grounds include a free parking lot that can accommodate approximately 200 regular cars, and up to 10 tourist buses. The facility is also equipped with clean restrooms and rest areas, so you can relax and unwind after a long drive.

Dining

At the restaurants in Kumano River, a village in the Doro Gorge, you can enjoy dishes made with Kumano beef, local wild vegetables, Kishu tuna, and other ingredients from around Kumano.

Bright dining space

Meals can be ordered through ticket machines (available in Japanese and English).

Kishu tuna sushi and mini udon set

Our restaurant, which is perfect for groups, is full of openness and offers a panoramic view of the Kumano River River, a registered World Heritage Site, through its large windows. Enjoy a heart-warming meal with your family or friends while taking in the magnificent river scenery that unfolds before your eyes.
*The waterway between Kumano Motomiya Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha is the world's only "Mizukami pilgrimage route" registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

stand

The souvenir corner has a Toyotomi selection of Kumano specialties. Popular items include locally grown fruit jams, Kumano honey, and local sake. They also sell postcards and handicrafts depicting the scenery of Doro Gorge, and many customers purchase these as mementos of their trip.

Products made with Kumano beef include beef curry, stew, soup and ramen

Access Information

Address: 272 Wakayama Prefecture , Kumano River Shingu City Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (restaurant 10:30-15:00 last order)
Parking: Free (10 tourist bus spaces, approximately 200 regular cars)
Closing days: Open all year round

2. Mount Nachi Tourist Center

The Mount Nachi Tourist Center in Nachikatsuura Town , Wakayama Wakayama Prefecture , is a rest facility that serves as a base for visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls. It is located nearby Daimonzaka on the Kumano Kodo trail, making it the perfect place to take a break after reaching the top of the climb. Furthermore, it is located at the foot of Mount Nachi and close to the entrance to the approach to Mount Nachi Seiganto-ji Temple and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, making it an ideal place to take a break before or after visiting the shrine.

The return bus to Nachikatsuura Station also departs from here. Why not stop by while you wait?

There is a large parking lot on the premises that can accommodate 20 tourist buses and about 70 regular cars. Equipped with clean toilets and rest areas, it is bustling with tourists who use it before and after visiting Mount Nachi.

Dining

At the Mount Nachi Tourist Center's cafe corner, in addition to menu items such as curry and udon noodles made with Kumano beef, you can also enjoy the local milk-based sweet "Kuroame Soft Serve" and the flavorful "Jabara Soft Serve," made with the refreshing jabara citrus fruit, a specialty of Kitayama Village.

Souvenir corner

The store is stocked with a Toyotomi of local specialties and souvenirs, including "Nachi Kuro (candy)," which is based on the Nachi Kuroishi motif, as well as Wakayama's famous pickled plums and honey, a specialty of the Kumano region.

Nachi black (candy)

In addition, there are many attractive, high-quality clothing items that are unique to the Kumano Kodo area, as well as cute, carefully crafted special commemorative stuffed animals, so be sure to find something you like when you visit. These products will make great souvenirs that reflect the culture and individuality of the Kumano region, and will make your trip even more memorable.

Access Information

Address: 442-2 Mount Nachi , Nachikatsuura-cho , Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Parking: 20 spaces for tourist buses, 70 spaces for regular cars, free (charges apply during peak periods as detailed below)
*Peak season: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, New Year's holidays, Obon, Golden Week, and other long holidays. 500 yen per regular car.

3. Kushimoto Hashiguiiwa Roadside Station

"Kushimoto Hashiguiiwa Roadside Station" is located in a great location where you can get a panoramic view of "Hashiguiiwa", a national natural monument. This facility is located along National Route 42 and is popular as a very convenient rest spot for tourists who arrive by car.

"Hashikuiiwa" is a unique and mysterious sight, with about 40 rock pillars lined up in a straight line from the sea. The view is particularly spectacular when lit by the Asahi and the evening sun, and its beauty has led to it being selected as one of the "100 Best Asahi and Sunsets in Wakayama Prefecture ."

[Hashigui Rocks and the Asahi] © Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

[Hashigui Rocks - Illumination]

The spacious grounds are equipped with free parking for about 50 cars, and can accommodate not only regular cars but also large buses. There is also an observation space on the second floor, where you can get a panoramic view of the magnificent Hashiguiiwa rocks that line the road from Kushimoto to Oshima. It's the perfect place to refresh your tired body after a long drive.

The tourist information center provides a Toyotomi of tourist information about the Kushimoto Town area, and is useful for planning sightseeing routes and discovering sightseeing spots. "Kushimoto Hashiguiiwa Roadside Station" is an attractive spot where you can enjoy the natural beauty and continue your trip comfortably. It is often featured on television, and many celebrities' autographs are on display.

Information center offering a wide range of tourist information

stand

The shop sells a wide range of local delicacies, from traditional Wakayama foods such as dried fish and Kishu-ni to the local specialty, flavorful Sanma Sushi. These products are very popular as souvenirs, as they allow you to enjoy the taste of Kushimoto at home. There is also a store-exclusive Kinkon soft serve ice cream, a staple of tourist destinations, that you should definitely try.

Kushimoto Town also has an unforgettable history. In 1890, a Turkish warship was hit by a typhoon on its way home and sank in the sea off the coast of Kushimoto Town. At that time, local residents worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and search for missing people.

This incident led to the development of a deep friendship between Turkey and Kushimoto Town, and the Turkey Memorial Hall was later built as a testament to this. Today, souvenir shops in the town sell Turkish-related products, allowing visitors to experience the history of a foreign country.

Finally, for those who like stamp collecting, the roadside station stamps are an item not to be missed. Be sure to collect them as a memento of your trip. Each stamp encapsulates the charm of the place you visited, making your travel memories even richer. Why not spend some special time experiencing the nature and history of Kushimoto?

Access Information

Address: 1549-8, Wakayama Prefecture, Kushimoto Town gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00 - 18:00 (April - September) 9:00 - 17:00 (October - March)
Parking: Free, 51 spaces (6 large vehicles, 45 regular cars)

4. Cape Shionomisaki Tourist Tower

Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture is also known as a launch site for small private rockets. The Cape Shionomisaki Tourist Tower in this town is an observation facility built on Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost point of Honshu. From the tower, which is about 50 meters high, you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

There is an elevator inside the tower, so anyone can comfortably ascend from the ground to the observation deck. With a 360-degree view, you can enjoy the beautiful ocean views and Kumano mountain ranges. On a clear day, you can clearly see the horizon and experience the roundness of the earth. What's more, if you climb the tower, you can even get a "Certificate of Visiting the Southernmost Point of Honshu"!

If you collect all the certificates of your visit to all four corners of Honshu, submit a copy of the certificate, a photo of you that proves that you have arrived at all four corners of Honshu, and the necessary information to the relevant authorities , you will receive a certificate and a commemorative gift for the Honshu Four Corners Rally.

meal

There is a spacious restaurant on the second floor of the tower shop where you can enjoy a variety of dishes using luxurious Kindai tuna and local specialty dishes with the rich flavors unique to Kushimoto while looking out at the beautiful sea view. There is also a full menu of takeaway items, perfect for enjoying with family and friends.

stand

The gift shop sells a variety of unique products with a spaceport motif. Made from Kishu cypress, their intricate craftsmanship and warm texture make them highly valued items for souvenirs.

Also, for those who love sweets, we recommend trying the "Wakayama Mikan Soft Serve Ice Cream." Its refreshing sweetness and rich mikan flavor are exquisite, making it a very popular item among visitors.

Why not try out these products and sweets as a memento of your visit to Cape Shionomisaki Tower?

Access Information

Address: 2706-26 Shionomisaki, Kushimoto Town cho, Higashimuro Cape Shionomisaki , Wakayama Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00 - 17:00, Restaurant 10:30 - 15:30 (last orders 15:00)
Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for children Parking: Free (11 tourist bus spaces, approx. 100 regular cars)

Limited time campaign underway!

This time, the four drive-ins mentioned above will be selling special limited edition merchandise that can only be purchased at each drive-in.

Roots of Japan is working with the four stores above to issue discount coupons that can be used to purchase limited edition products. Don't miss this great opportunity!

For more information and how to get the coupon, please see below:

Product Description - Kishu Nanko Aka Wine

Wakayama Prefecture is the main producer of white plums, and the Nanko plums are considered the highest quality among the many varieties of plums. This plum wine is made with Nanko plums and is colored red by adding purple sweet potato pigments.

Written at the bottom of the Yatagarasu logo, which is one of the symbols of the Kumano region, is the phrase "Umeshu meets Vegetables."

From the idea of "Boy meets Girl, a story about a boy meeting a girl, falling in love, and developing a relationship from there,"
It expresses how plum wine meets a vegetable (purple sweet potato), falls in love with it, and turns red.

Product Description - Kishu Nanko Amber Plum Wine

Like Kishu Nanko Aka Umeshu, this umeshu uses Nanko Aka and has a sparkling amber color. It contains no additives and is made only with plums, sugar, and white liquor.

The label says "Amber Umeshu Drops"

Inspired by the nickname "Pearl Moondrops",
It represents "amber-colored drops of plum wine."

Kishu Nanko Aka Umeshu and Kishu Nanko Kohaku Umeshu are now available in two sizes, 300ml ( ¥ Kumano including tax) and 720ml (¥2,350 including tax). They are perfect as souvenirs for yourself or as gifts!

Roots of Japan Limited Campaign

From Friday, April 18th to Monday, July 21st, 2025, if you access the QR code below and show the Roots of Japan limited campaign screen at the counter of any of our four stores, you can purchase the above plum wine products with a 10% discount!

This is a limited-edition product, so don't miss this golden opportunity!

You can also access it from here!

Photo credit:

1. Kumano Tourism Development
2. Roots of Japan