PORT INFORMATION

Full-Day Sightseeing Schedule (Katsuura)

Morning

• Visit Katsuura Port to witness fresh tuna unloading
• Watch a tuna filleting show by skilled artisans and taste fresh tuna

Afternoon

• Travel by private bus to the Kumano Kodo area
• Visit Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine (vivid vermilion shrine in a sacred forest)
• Experience Shugendo practice at Seiganto-ji Temple (guided by monks)
• See Nachi Falls (Japan’s tallest waterfall at 133m)

*Lunch : back to the ship and on board

Located at the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula, Nachikatsuura is a sacred area believed since ancient times to be inhabited by gods. It remains a living tableau of Japan’s original landscape, where sea, mountains, prayer, and cuisine converge. As the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, it offers a uniquely moving experience.

Morning: Touch the Bounty of the Sea and Artisan Skill

The journey begins at the lively Katsuura Port, one of Japan’s top fresh tuna landing sites. Witness powerful scenes of tuna being offloaded and enjoy a tuna filleting show by skilled artisans. Savor the exquisite taste of fresh tuna while watching masterful knife techniques.

Afternoon: Find Inner Peace at the Sacred Sites of Kumano

In the afternoon, a private bus will take you to the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” First, visit Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three Kumano Grand Shrines nestled in a deep forest with vivid vermilion buildings. Next, at Seiganto-ji Temple nearby, experience a unique spiritual practice based on Shugendo (mountain asceticism), guided by monks. The journey ends at Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest at 133 meters. A mystical place believed to be inhabited by gods, this awe-inspiring waterfall will leave a deep impression.

Walk the Pilgrimage Path Recognized by the World

The Kumano Kodo, once walked by emperors and ascetics, is one of only a few pilgrimage routes in the world recognized by UNESCO alongside Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. This is more than tourism, it’s a journey into the soul of Japan’s spiritual and natural heritage. Your time in Nachikatsuura will be an unforgettable memory.