Hoppin' KINOKAWA - Tour Wakayama Freely With a Multilingual Guide via This Transportation Service

*This article was sponsored by the Kinokawa Fruits Tourism Bureau.

About Wakayama Prefecture

This predominantly mountainous prefecture sits at the southern tip of Honshu, the main island of Japan. It covers a long and thin area going from north to south, resulting in varying climates between the northern and southern regions. In northern areas like Wakayama City, weather conditions remain stable year-round with low precipitation and humidity. The southern part, influenced by the Kuroshio Current, experiences warmer temperatures and is more prone to typhoons, often accompanied by heavy rainfall. As a whole, the prefecture enjoys long hours of sunshine, relatively mild summers, and cozy winters.

Wakayama Prefecture can be separated into five main areas: Wakayama City, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kumano, Shirahama/Kushimoto, and Arita/Hidaka.

Apart from its nature and history, Wakayama Prefecture boasts a plethora of delicious local delicacies, including peaches and mandarin oranges. It's an undiscovered gem in Japan that you should definitely include in your travel itinerary, offering a unique Japanese experience unlike any other.

On this trip to Wakayama Prefecture, we had the pleasure of exploring Kinokawa City, situated in the northern part of the prefecture, renowned for its stationmaster cat named Tama. Kinokawa City brims with hidden treasures, but what truly sets it apart is the availability of a city tourist transportation service, complete with a local multilingual guide!

For further insights into Wakayama Prefecture and its new services for tourists, read on.

How to Get to Kinokawa City in Wakayama Prefecture

You can get to Wakayama Prefecture using a direct bus from Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture. Departing from Terminal 2 of Kansai International Airport, the journey to JR Wakayama Station lasts approximately 1 hour and costs 2,200 yen for a round trip (ticket valid for 14 days from the date of boarding). One-way fares are priced at 1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children. The bus schedule is available on the following website: https://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/WK

If you take a look at the bus timetable, you'll soon realize that the number of buses per day is limited.

Wakayama Prefecture is also reachable by train. You can board the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service train from Kansai-Airport Station to Hineno Station, then transfer to the JR Kishuji Rapid Service train to reach Wakayama Station. This journey typically takes around 50 minutes and costs 900 yen for a one-way trip.

Upon arrival at JR Wakayama Station, just hop on a local train bound for Kinokawa City. We took the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line and got off at the last stop and our rendezvous location, Kishi Station, famed for its cat stationmaster. The trip took about 30 minutes. A one-day pass is priced at 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children, while a single one-way trip costs 410 yen for adults and 210 yen for children.

Hoppin' KINOKAWA - Kinokawa City's Premier Tourist Transportation Service With a Multilingual Local Guide

Wanting to make the most of our trip to Kinokawa City, we opted for the newly launched "Hoppin' KINOKAWA" transportation service. After personally experiencing its charm, we highly recommend giving it a try yourself!

The advantage of this service lies in having a local guide show you around Kinokawa City in your native language. Presently, they have guides who can speak English, traditional Chinese, and Thai.

Reservations can be easily made through their website, which is also available in the above languages. On the website, you can choose which spots you want to visit. If you're uncertain about where to go, just inform the assigned guide in advance about the places you absolutely want to see so that they can arrange the best itinerary on the day of your visit. Given that the guides are all Kinokawa City residents, they're eager to provide insightful guidance from a local's unique perspective!

This service is for those who want the utmost convenience, as the local guide will pick you up, drive you around the city, and even drop you off in a private car. With Hoppin' KINOKAWA, it's a breeze to explore all of Kinokawa City, especially its popular sightseeing locations!

With a capacity for up to six passengers per car, this transportation service is ideal for families with children, seniors, those with mobility challenges, or large groups.

Below, we'll be sharing the itinerary of the Kinokawa City day trip that we went on. We were accompanied by a friendly local Thai guide who took really good care of us!

Starting the Journey From Kishi Station - Famous For Its Adorable Cat Stationmaster and Cat-Shaped Roof

We arrived at Kishi Station, our starting point for our Kishikawa City adventure, at 9:30 in the morning. Since it was a holiday, both locals and international tourists were flocking to the station.

The first thing we noticed was just how distinctive Wakayama Electric Railway's trains were. Currently, it has four themed trains: the "TAMADEN," adorned with charming cat decorations throughout its train cars; the "iCHiGO EC," with strawberry as a motif as the fruits are a specialty of the Kishi Station area; the "Umeboshi," a striking red train with a Japanese flair, themed around the umeboshi plum, a specialty of the prefecture; and the "TAMA DENSHA MUSEUM," another cat-themed train that made its debut on December 4, 2021.

We had the lucky opportunity to ride the recently launched TAMA DENSHA MUSEUM train. It had an elegant black exterior and a wide variety of seating options inside. With adorable cat designs strewn about from floor to ceiling, it truly deserved its name commemorating the cat stationmaster, Tama!

Let's briefly go over the heartwarming tale of this beloved cat stationmaster. Tama was a female tortoiseshell cat residing near the station. Her endearing charm and playful nature captured the hearts of many, including the president of the Wakayama Electric Railway, leading to her appointment as the stationmaster of Kishi Station. Subsequently, the station's popularity soared, earning recognition even internationally. However, in 2015, Tama went to cat heaven. Thus, "Nitama," Tama's successor, along with her assistant, "Yontama," took turns overseeing operations at Kishi and Idakiso Stations.

Charming photo spots dot the vicinity of the train stations. You'll also find the Tama Cafe and Tama Museum nearby. If you love cats and have some time to spare, consider shopping for Tama goodies or relaxing at the cafe while waiting for the train.

Make and Take Home Arakawa Peach Jam

Did you know that Wakayama Prefecture has one of the highest yields for peaches in Japan? Arakawa peaches, mainly cultivated in Momoyama, Kinokawa City, are renowned for their sweet aroma and flavorful juice, making them a premium variety in Japan.

Since we were exploring Kinokawa City, we took the opportunity to participate in a peach jam-making class at Touryanse Yume Kobo. Visitors can learn how to make Arakawa peach jam and take home the delicious results! Each participant is provided with enough ingredients to produce a 200 gram jar of jam, which roughly estimates to two to three peaches - a generous amount!

Making jam isn't the only enjoyable aspect of this class. Visitors also get the opportunity to whip up some peach steamed bread! It's incredibly simple - all you need to do is mix the ingredients together until smooth, pour them into a mold, and steam. It doesn't take much time at all.

Once the jam is ready, it's carefully packed into jars. Any leftover jam pairs wonderfully with the peach steamed bread. The combination of the rich, sweet Arakawa peach jam and the soft steamed bread creates a truly indulgent eating experience. Moreover, the jam doubles as a convenient souvenir to take home!

hajime Cafe - Operating for Over 100 Years in a Private Residence

hajime Cafe is a charming establishment housed within the century-old Yamasaki Residence. The main house, constructed in 1917, is a noteworthy example of modern Japanese-style architecture and is recognized as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It is exceptionally well preserved, maintaining its original architectural integrity.

Upon stepping inside the cafe, guests are enveloped in a cozy ambiance, accentuated by the wooden furnishings. The retro cafe offers counter seating and traditional Japanese-style tatami floor seating, and even has a little souvenir area where visitors can browse through a selection of adorable items available for purchase. On top of having a diverse drink menu, hajime Cafe serves everything from main dishes to desserts, all featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables as key ingredients. For lunch, guests can opt for either beef tendon curry or the seasonal lunch set.

On this particular day, we opted for the seasonal lunch set, which consisted of a three-color rice bowl topped with minced chicken, vegetable salad, vegetable tempura, miso soup, and garnishes. Seasoned just right and chock full of fresh seasonal vegetables, this healthy set meal invigorated us.

After satisfying your appetite, check out the rest of the residence! Admission is free. The two-story building beautifully blends Western and Japanese architectural elements, featuring tatami mats, wooden "engawa" porches, and intricately decorated ceilings. With one glance, you can tell that every detail was carefully considered and crafted. Our visit coincided with the Hinamatsuri - a traditional celebration in Japan held annually on March 3 to pray for the well-being and prosperity of girls - so the rooms were adorned with numerous hina dolls. If you appreciate historical landmarks and traditional Japanese-style houses, this is a must-visit.

Kokawa-dera Temple - Visit for the Edo-Period Architecture and Gardens

After indulging in a delectable lunch, our next destination was Kokawa-dera Temple. Established around 770 AD, this temple has undergone numerous constructions and renovations over the years. The current main hall was reconstructed in 1720 and stands as a testament to the temple's enduring legacy. It is the third temple in the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, which involves traveling to 33 holy places in the Kansai region.

While Kokawa-dera Temple does have a reputation for dispelling misfortune and fulfilling wishes, it is also renowned for the large erected stones and meticulously manicured shrubbery found outside its main hall. These unique features rarely found elsewhere have earned it the designation as a National Place of Scenic Beauty, drawing tourists and pilgrims alike throughout the year.

TOUTOUAN - Indulge in Italian-Style Gelato Made by Peach Farmers

TOUTOUAN is a cafe operated by a peach farmer in Kinokawa City. The cafe's highlight is its homemade Italian gelato. Visitors can rest assured that anything made with peaches here is fresh and pesticide-free, taken straight from their orchard!

Alongside their signature gelato made from meticulously selected fruits and chocolates, patrons to this cozy cafe can also savor delightful parfaits and original drinks.

The cafe boasts large glass windows on all sides as well as indoor and outdoor terrace seating, creating a wide, open, and airy ambiance. It's the ideal spot for taking a break, chatting, and indulging in sweets.

We sampled three varieties of gelato: chocolate, milk, and the irresistible peach. They exceeded our expectations! The gelato boasted a velvety smooth texture and a rich consistency. While each flavor we tried was equally sweet and aromatic, the peach flavor stood out. With just one bite, you could taste the freshness and true essence of peaches! We strongly recommend trying the gelato here, especially on hot days.

How to Book Your Own Hoppin' KINOKAWA Tourist Transportation Service and Multilingual Guide

If you found our trip around Kinokawa City interesting, why not go on one yourself? Reservations for the Hoppin' KINOKAWA tourist transportation service, where a local multilingual guide will show you around, can be made through the website provided below. And as we mentioned prior, the website's available in several languages, so booking your own tour will be a piece of cake!

Click here to make your reservation: https://www.hoppin.jp

Explore Kinokawa City the Hassle-Free Way!

If we have another chance to use Hoppin' KINOKAWA again, we'd love to explore Kinokawa City even more! After all, the places we highlighted in this article are just a glimpse of everything the city has to offer. With so many things to do and see, there's nothing more convenient than getting a local to show you around.

Planning to visit but don't know where to go? Fret not. Hoppin' KINOKAWA has many tour options available, so you'll be spoilt for choice. For further details, please visit their official website.

When planning your next trip to Japan, be sure to include Kinokawa City in Wakayama Prefecture in your itinerary!