[2025 Wakayama Attraction] Travel Guide for Kimii-dera (Updated Aug)

A city in the southwest of Wakayama, a very quiet and easily overlooked city, it is worth spending 1-2 days to stroll around and taste its seafood delicacies! Experience its culture and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery… 🔷🔷🔷My one-day tour guide to Wakayama: 🚗Transportation: Take JR from Osaka Kansai Airport to Wakayama Station in one hour 🏨Accommodation: Wakayama Granvia Hotel, the hotel is a 3-minute walk from Wakayama Station 📅Wakayama one-day tour itinerary: ⏰Morning - Ki-Mitsui Temple (take JR from Wakayama Station to Kinokuni Line and walk for 10 minutes) 🕐Noon - Kuroshio Market (take the bus directly to the door) 🕐Afternoon - Wakayama Castle (take the bus directly from the market door) 💎Scenic spots: 📍 Ki-Mitsui Temple: It is most famous for its three wells, which have never dried up and are one of the top 100 famous waters in Japan. The temple is also the best place to enjoy cherry blossoms during the cherry blossom season every year. The 400 cherry blossoms in the temple bloom at the same time, which is very beautiful! There is also a 12-meter-high eleven-faced Thousand-armed Guanyin statue in the temple, which is very spectacular! 📍Kuroshio Market: It is also a very famous seafood market in Wakayama. Here you can watch the fish show and taste a variety of seafood products. You can feast your eyes on it! It closes at 17:00 in the afternoon, so it is more suitable to have lunch here! The sea view here is also excellent! 📍Wakayama Castle: It is one of Japan's "three major vertical plain castles". The castle tower was destroyed several times and was rebuilt in the 1950s. It also has a famous scenic spot "Nishinomaru Garden" which is very beautiful during the maple leaf season and is designated as a national scenic spot. 📌Tips: 1️⃣ If you can’t climb the stairs to Kimii-dera Temple, you can take the cable car for 200 yen. It only takes 2 minutes to get there, which saves a lot of effort! However, there are only 231 steps and it is not very strenuous. 2️⃣ There is also a self-service barbecue area in Kuroshio Market where you can buy raw seafood and barbecue it yourself! The fish show is held at 12:30 noon every day and there is an additional show at 15:00 on weekends. Don’t miss it, you can buy it after the show! 3️⃣ Be sure to keep your ticket for Wakayama Castle. You can use it to enter the Wakayama History Museum! Not far from Wakayama Castle is the Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Art, so you can visit it if you have time!

Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Kimiidera Station, Kimiidera Temple is a highly respected Buddhist building in Wakayama and is famous for being the second temple on Japan's oldest pilgrimage route. Before arriving at the temple, you must first climb more than 200 stone steps. If you visit in spring, you can see the cherry blossoms all over the courtyard. The thoughtful temple also provides cable cars to meet the needs of tourists with limited mobility. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance (800 yen for round trip, including 400 yen for the main hall gate ticket and 200 yen for each one-way cable car ride). After reaching the top, you will see a vast courtyard and stunning architecture. The temple overlooks Wakaura Bay, and the unobstructed view is truly impressive! After the visit, you can also buy cute souvenirs to take home.

We took a bus to kimiidera from Wakayamashi station. It took about 35 minutes and dropped us right by the entrance. I like shrines that are built onto the hillside so this one was nice. There are loads of cherry blossom trees around the area that would be excellent during peak season. It is worth a look after you've seen the castle and there are some great views from the top. I also spent some time walking around the hillside graveyard above the shrine. I happen to find Japanese graveyards fascinating and beautiful. #givethanks #givethanks

A temple overlooking the sea and city, heralding the arrival of spring🌸 Kimiidera Temple, located on a hill in Wakayama City, is a renowned temple with over 1,200 years of history. Kimiidera is also known as the second temple of the Thirty-three Kannon Temples of the Western Provinces, and is a popular spot for pilgrims and tourists alike. ⸻ 🏞️ Highlights • After climbing the 231 steep stone steps, a spectacular view of Wakayama city and the ocean unfolds before you.🌊 • The temple grounds are home to three wells (Seijo-sui, Yoryusui, and Kissho-sui), known for the "Kimii-no-Mikoto Water" that gave the temple its name.✨ • Famous for its earliest-blooming cherry blossoms in Japan, the temple attracts many visitors in the spring.🌸 • There are many impressive buildings, including the large Eleven-Headed Kannon Statue, the Main Hall, and the imposing Tahoto Pagoda. ⸻ 🚶♀️ Access • Approximately 15 minutes by Wakayama Bus from JR Wakayama Station. Get off at "Kimiidera." • Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Kimiidera Station. #Kimiidera #WakayamaScenicViews #SaigokuThirtyThreeTemples #JapansEarliestBloomingCherryBlossoms #TempleofFamousWaters #TripMoments

Kimiidera Temple in Wakayama offers not only breathtaking views of the Kishu coastline but also a serene encounter with various Kannon statues. The "Mizuko Kannon" commemorates children who passed away prematurely, embodying a mother's love and prayers. The "Happiness Kannon" holds sacred objects, symbolizing blessings for a harmonious and fulfilling life. The "Seven Bells Kannon" is adorned with seven bells that protect seven directions, believed to ward off evil and bring blessings when rung. Walking along the temple's stone steps, the morning breeze gently caresses your face, the temple bell echoes softly, and the Kannon statues, illuminated by the morning light, appear both majestic and approachable. It's a place where visitors naturally pause, entrusting their heartfelt wishes to the statues. 📍 Location: Kimiidera Temple (1201 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture)

When visiting Wakayama, a must-see is Ki-Mii-dera Temple, known as the "Second Ban-sho of the Thirty-three Western Provinces." Founded in 770 by Tang Monk for Guang Shangren, the temple is named after the three sacred springs within its grounds. Upon entering the temple, one is greeted by the vibrant vermilion gate and the majestic Buddhist hall, creating a quaint atmosphere that inspires awe. What struck me most was the colossal 12-meter-tall Thousand-Armed Kannon statue. Its golden body gleams in the sunlight, its compassionate face seemingly gazing down upon every visitor. The temple also houses numerous important cultural treasures, including Buddhist statues and paintings from the Heian period, a treasure that will captivate visitors fascinated by history and art. 📍 **Check-in Location**: Kimii-dera Temple (1201 Kimii-dera Temple, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture) #JapanTravel #Wakayama #Kimii-dera Temple #Saigokusanjusho #Thousand-Armed Kannon #ReligiousStructures #HistoricalSite #CulturalTour #TravelDiary #BestAugustDestinations2025

Kimiidera Temple is a serene Japanese temple nestled at the foot of a picturesque mountain. Its courtyard boasts stunning scenery, lush greenery, and winding stone paths. The temple's architecture is simple yet elegant, with wooden structures that have withstood the test of time, exuding a solemn and dignified aura. Stepping into the temple feels like escaping the hustle and bustle of the world, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the profound essence of Buddhist culture. It is truly a place worth visiting.

Located in the Wakayama region, Kimiidera Temple may not be a central attraction in Osaka, but it is a highly popular pilgrimage site for nearby travelers. The temple enshrines an Eleven-Faced Kannon statue and becomes a magnet for visitors during the spring cherry blossom season. While climbing the over 300 stone steps within the temple can be physically demanding, the breathtaking views at the summit paired with the solemn beauty of the temple offer a sense of spiritual tranquility. The temple sells a variety of omamori (amulets) and unique incense pouches, with the "Lucky Sakura Charm" being the most iconic. Designed in the shape of delicate pink flower petals, it embodies a wish for blessings in its intricate craftsmanship. Additionally, handmade prayer candles, temple-embossed stationery, and other exquisite souvenirs make perfect keepsakes for artistic travelers and collectors of spiritual items. In front of the temple, several traditional wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops offer seasonal treats like sakura mochi or yuzu manju, providing a delightful way to extend the serene journey.

At Kimii-dera Temple, cherry blossoms bloom like sacred whispers around ancient halls. Walking beneath the soft pink canopy, the gentle petals seemed to bless every step with peace and wonder. The temple’s serene gardens were alive with spring’s delicate magic, blending spirituality and nature perfectly. As the blossoms danced in the breeze, I felt time slow—capturing a moment of pure harmony between tradition and beauty. A tranquil escape wrapped in pink petals and ancient prayers. #cherryblossom25

#cherryblossom25 Starting from Nishikoku’s 33rd Temple, No. 2 and Kimi-dera, which is known as the "Temple that Calls for Spring," I was surrounded by the beauty of blooming cherry blossoms. 🌸 The poetic lyrics echo in my mind: "If the sakura blossoms again, I hope to express my love under these cherry trees." It's a truly magical experience to witness the fleeting beauty of sakura while reflecting on the passing of time. 🥺💖 Day's itinerary: Arrived at Kansai Airport, then made my way to Wakayama Station to check in. Visited Kimi-dera Temple, then headed to Wakayama Castle. Wrapped up with a trip to Kata fishing port and took the scenic Taiyō Train (snapshots of fresh, colorful memories along the way). Despite being off the beaten path, Wakayama surprised me with its fewer crowds and abundant beauty, making it the perfect location for sakura lovers like me. 🌸 #naturalwonders

⛩️Kimiiji Temple⛩️Pious people ~ The crowds of people admiring cherry blossoms ~ are really endless Perfect match with the blooming cherry blossoms 🔺You can walk up the mountain🚶♀️➡️There are 231 stairs. It is indeed a bit breathless to go up the stairs. If you really can't walk, you can take the cable car🚠, which can also be used to go down the mountain (the key point✨The cable car is very cheap~ only 200 yen for adults, which is very helpful for people with children or physical disabilities) From the highest point of Kimii-dera Temple, looking down, wow, I can only marvel❗️ because it is so beautiful❤️ The whole Wakayama is in sight ~ the scenery is super unbeatable👍👍 🔺The characteristic of the temple is that the statues or stone tablets around the aisle are covered with clothes, which is very special... There is also a place where you can wash your hands on all four sides~ The water is super cold😂 📍The viewing date is 4/6 (If you come to Wakayama, you must come and see it. Watching the cherry blossoms falling on the ground is really beautiful. It looks like they fell from the sky.) 🔺The transportation is very convenient. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Kisiidera Station to Kisiidera. It is very relaxing to see the cherry blossoms all over the mountains and fields along the way. ⌚️Opening hours: 8:00~17:00 📍Address: 1116 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-0012 Japan #cherry blossoms #Wakayama cherry blossoms

It is an old cherry blossom spot that is also mentioned in Matsuo Basho's haiku. There is a standard tree for observation by the weather observatory in the precincts, and this year, on March 26th, it was declared the earliest cherry blossom in the Kinki region. In April, the trees are in full bloom, and about 400 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Higanzakura, are in full bloom in the precincts. The vermilion pagoda, bell tower, and torii gate are gorgeous. It's a spot full of things to see. The cut-out goshuin is also cute. On a nice day, the view of Wakaura from the precincts is spectacular. There are 231 steep stone steps from the tower gate to the precincts where the main hall is located, but there is a cable car and elevator, so it's easy to climb. The cherry blossom festival is until Sunday, April 20th. Please save this and go see the cherry blossoms. **❤︎ ✰ ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ 📍Kimiidera 🇯🇵1201 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture 📲073-444-1002 🕰️OPEN: 8am-5pm 💰Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for those 70 years old and over, and elementary and junior high school students Cable fare: 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for those 70 years old and over, and elementary and junior high school students Entry fee on foot is free 🚃10 minutes walk from Kimiidera Station on the JR Kisei Main Line 🚗From Wakayama Minami IC (Smart IC) on the Hanwa Expressway (15 min) 🅿️30 cars (charged) ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ✰ #0 yen trip #Travel for 0 yen #0 yen trip in spring#Sakura spots #Cherry blossoms #Cherry blossom spots #Amazing cherry blossoms #Introducing amazing views in Japan

Hey everyone, today I'm sharing a lesser-known yet healing route from Osaka to Kimiidera, taking you on a journey filled with ancient charm. 📍Transportation 1️⃣ JR Line: Depart from Osaka Station, take the JR Hanwa Line to Wakayama Station, then transfer to the JR Kisei Main Line and get off at Kimiidera Station. From there, it's a 5-minute walk to Kimiidera. The entire trip takes about 1.5 hours, and you can enjoy the rural scenery of Kansai along the way. 2️⃣ Nankai Electric Railway: Take the Nankai Electric Railway from Namba Station to Wakayamashi Station, then transfer to a bus to Kimiidera. If you buy the Wakayama Day Pass, you can enjoy unlimited bus rides in Wakayama for the day, which is very cost-effective! 🕙Itinerary Depart from Osaka in the morning and visit the main hall of Kimiidera upon arrival. The ancient architecture exudes a sense of history, and standing in front of the hall, you can almost feel the bustling atmosphere from a thousand years ago. Next, take a stroll along the temple's paths, shaded by ancient trees and accompanied by occasional bird songs, adding to the tranquility. For lunch, dine at a nearby Japanese restaurant and savor local Kansai cuisine, such as Wakayama's specialty plum dishes, which are sweet and sour and very appetizing. In the afternoon, visit the temple's garden, which is beautiful in all seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, and in autumn, the maple leaves are fiery red. No matter when you visit, you'll be greeted with stunning scenery. After exploring the garden, sit down at the temple's teahouse, order a cup of matcha, and quietly reflect on your journey through the ancient temple. 🎫Tickets: The entrance fee for Kimiidera is very affordable, about 500 yen for adults, with discounts for students. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the charm of historical sites, consider following this itinerary for a trip to Kimiidera!✨

Wakayama Kimiidera Temple Kimiidera Temple A temple located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan Kimiidera Temple was founded in 770 by a monk from Tang (now China) for Master Mitsu, and has a long history. The name Kimiidera Temple comes from "a temple located in Kishu with three wells." Transportation: Take Bus No. 52 from Wakayama Station: Get off at Iida Hospital 🚌 and transfer to Bus No. 117 or walk for 15 minutes. Tickets: None (Cable car 🚡 round trip: JPY 800)

Kimiidera Temple in Wakayama City is a historic temple known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. In spring, about 500 cherry trees bloom in the temple grounds, creating a beautiful contrast with the blue sea, captivating all who visit. The view over the cherry blossoms from the main hall is particularly spectacular. You can enjoy a spectacular view where the sea and sky seem to merge. If you're visiting Wakayama during cherry blossom season, be sure to stop by! #0yentravelNovember

Kimiidera Temple, whose main hall is located at the top of 231 steps, is a temple that offers a panoramic view of Wakanoura. The Buddha hall houses the largest statue of the Thousand-Armed Eleven-Headed Kannon in Japan, which is over 11 meters tall and glitters in gold. It's a spectacular sight! There are lots of things to see, so be sure to check it out! ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ 【Kimiji Temple】⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ ◼️Address: 1201 Kimiji Temple, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture⁡ ⁡⁡ ◼️TEL: 073 -444-1002⁡ ⁡⁡ ◼️Parking:⁡ ⇨Mountaintop parking 700 yen (400 yen worship fee required)⁡ ⇨North gate parking 300 yen (no worship fee required)⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡ #domestictrip #wakayama #wakayamatrip #templevisit #trip

🔎The hidden gem around Osaka is none other than 'Wakayama,' located in the southwest of the Kii Peninsula in Japan, right around Osaka. A day trip is completely feasible. 📢Recommended one-day tour route Osaka—Wakayama Tama Train—Kimiidera Temple—Wakayama Castle—Kuroshio Market—Osaka 《Due to the niche recommendation, a one-day chartered tour is suggested, link below》 🗺Attraction Introduction ①Tama Train—Visit the Cat Stationmaster (A must-visit for cat lovers!) 🐱Tama (たま), born on April 29, 1999, in Wakayama Prefecture, passed away on June 22, 2015. She was a female calico cat. This adorable cat and her assistant were almost daily on duty at Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama City, welcoming passengers and tourists. She directly saved a railway line that was on the verge of being discontinued, successfully attracting countless visitors and boosting the local economy. ②Kimiidera Temple—Cultural Heritage➕Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot 🛕Kimiidera Temple is one of the most popular temples in Wakayama Prefecture, known for its ancient temple buildings, sweet well water, and cherry blossom viewing spots. 🌸Every spring, the 1,200 cherry trees planted in the temple bloom brilliantly, resembling clouds and mist, very beautiful. It is one of the hundred most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. 🎫Ticket: 200 yen for adults ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 ③Wakayama Castle—🉑Cosplay as a Ninja 🏰Along with Matsuyama Castle and Himeji Castle, it is one of Japan's three major interconnected flat mountain castles. The Tenshukaku (main keep) exhibits various items related to the Tokugawa family, and from the observation deck on the top floor, you can overlook the Kii River and Wakayama City. 🎫Ticket: Free entry, 410 yen for adults to visit the Tenshukaku, 200 yen for elementary and middle school students ④Kuroshio Market—Seafood Museum 🦞Kuroshio Market is the oldest fresh market in Kansai. It can be described as a seafood museum, with a wide variety of seafood products from all over Japan, from Kyushu to Hokkaido, dazzling and mouth-watering. 🐟Previously, there were three scheduled tuna cutting shows daily. With just one knife, a huge tuna would be cleanly and swiftly dismembered in no time, the whole process was spectacular. Now, it has been changed to one show daily, occasionally two shows. ⏰Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (except during major holidays) 👀 Tips: 🉑Arrange your time reasonably according to your preferences

The historic Koyasan in Wakayama was founded in 770 by a Chinese monk and is a temple with a long history. The Tokugawa family, which played a significant role in Japan's history, also prayed and worshipped here during their most prosperous times. Climbing up more than 200 steps, you will find many cherry trees planted around. If you come at the right season, this is also one of the earliest places where cherry blossoms bloom, attracting many tourists every year to visit and take photos. Moreover, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire Wakanoura Bay.

One of the days in Wakayama is to go to Ki Mitsuiji Temple, I didn't expect that it was raining heavily a few days ago, it was even so good that day, shuttle between train railways, walk through several huts will see a section of train tracks, as we usually cross the road, nearby there are many hot spring inns, I heard that many people will come specifically to talk business and soak in hot springs #JapanKorea Spring Good Places

Transportation information: Take the JR from Wakayama Station to JR Kimiidera Station, and it's a 15-minute walk from there. Alternatively, you can take a BUS from Wakayama's transportation hub, which takes about 40 minutes. The BUS stops not far from the entrance, just a 3-minute walk away. In Wakayama City, there isn't much to do – it's either Wakayama Castle or this place. Admission is free, but there is a fee for taking the cable car up and down the mountain! It costs 400 yen and takes about 1 minute to reach the top. There are two to three hundred stone steps, which can be somewhat tiring, but it varies from person to person. ❤️ Recommended reason: The temple is halfway up the mountain, and once you arrive, you can overlook the sea, enjoy the mountain full of cherry blossoms and the distant sea, and the sacred torii gate, all in one view, which is pleasing to the eye and delightful 🌸.

#cherryblossom2024 Golden statue, sakura, pilgrims and the emperor in a magnificent temple The Kimii-dera Temple was founded in 770. It is a stunning example of Buddhist architecture with a sparkling red facade that stands out against the greenery of the mountain landscape. It is believed that it was visited by emperors, so it occupies an important place in the list of attractions of Wakayama Prefecture. It is interesting Sakura begins to bloom very early in the sanctuary It is the second temple on Japan's oldest pilgrimage route How to get there The temple can be reached on foot from Kimiidera Station on the Kisei Line. Kimiidera Station is a couple of stops from Wakayama Station. Early flowering If you arrive in early spring, marvel at the bright blanket of petals from over 500 magical sakura trees. Pale pink flowers on the background of a bright red temple and dark trunks are very impressive. Amazing photos can be taken here. Magnificent view of the Vacanura Bay The main hall is reached by a staircase of almost 200 steps. The reward will be a stunning view of the Vacanura Bay. This landscape has inspired poets and writers for centuries. It is especially beautiful here at sunset. The Main hall You can visit it for a small fee. There are works of Buddhist art included in the cultural heritage list. Its territory, on which there are majestic statues and an ancient camphor tree grows, also breathes history. The Gilded Goddess In 2008, the largest standing wooden statue was completed and installed — the multi-armed goddess of mercy Kannon, who greets visitors with beauty and serenity.

Kansai Komori's famous cherry tree, Wakayama, and Mitsui-ji Temple Ki Mitsui Temple is one of the most popular temples in Wakayama Prefecture. The deity is dedicated to the 11-faced Guanyin, attracting many visits from all over Japan every year. However, many foreign tourists come for the cherry blossoms planted in the temple. It is also included in one of Japan's "Hundreds of Cherry Blossoms", and only three places in Wakayama Prefecture are selected. Ji Sanjing Temple is located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, and is accessible from many places in Kansai. The location of Ji Sanjing Temple is very good to find. It is located at JR Ji Sanjing Temple Station and can be reached in five minutes. After going out, it will not go wrong with people. Tickets: Free Sakura under the cherry tree viewing cherry blossoms is a big hobby for Japanese people in the cherry blossom season every year. In addition to having a picnic, such a famous attraction like Ji Sanjing Temple also has a small shop that specializes in selling meals to provide visitors with picnic food. About 500 strains of Yoshino cherry are planted in the temple in . When we came, it was not when the cherry blossoms were full. It was probably six separate, it was already beautiful. Every year, Wakayama's flowering time will be a few days earlier than Osaka and Kyoto, so it is recommended to come to Wakayama first, then to Kyoto and Osaka.