Katsuragi Town is a scenic rural town located in the western part of Ito District in Wakayama Prefecture. The Izumi Mountains rise to the north, while the Kii Mountains stretch across the south, with the peaceful Kinokawa River flowing between them and creating beautiful natural scenery.
The town’s fertile environment and significant differences in temperature between day and night have made it an ideal area for growing fruit. Katsuragi is particularly famous for its persimmons and is widely known throughout Japan as the “Fruit Kingdom of Katsuragi.”
At the same time, the town has a deep historical connection with Mount Koya and is home to numerous historic sites and cultural properties associated with World Heritage and Japan Heritage designations. The combination of beautiful countryside, traditional culture, religious history, and local food makes Katsuragi an appealing destination for travelers looking to experience a quieter and more authentic side of Japan.
One of Katsuragi’s greatest attractions is its thriving fruit-growing industry. Orchards spread across the plains and hills along the Kinokawa River, creating a characteristic landscape that represents the town.
Different fruits can be enjoyed throughout the year. Strawberries and peaches are harvested in spring, followed by grapes and blueberries in summer. Autumn brings pears and persimmons, while mandarin oranges are among the seasonal fruits enjoyed in winter.
Katsuragi is particularly famous for Hiratane-nashi persimmons, a seedless variety that is produced on a large scale and shipped throughout Japan.
The Shigo area is also one of Japan’s largest producers of kushigaki, traditional dried persimmons arranged on bamboo skewers. In late autumn, the vivid orange persimmons hanging from the eaves of farmhouses create a spectacular rural scene that has become one of Katsuragi’s signature sights.
The annual Kushigaki Festival is held in November, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the traditional scenery and local products.
There are also numerous fruit farms where visitors can experience fruit picking. Eating freshly harvested fruit directly at the farm is a popular way to experience the rich agricultural culture of Katsuragi.
One of the most important historical attractions in Katsuragi is Niutsuhime Shrine, a component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.”
The shrine is believed to have been established approximately 1,700 years ago and stood here long before Mount Koya became an important center of Buddhist culture. It has traditionally been revered as a guardian shrine of Mount Koya and is closely associated with Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of the Koyasan Buddhist tradition.
The shrine grounds feature brilliant vermilion gates, an elegant traditional gate, and the beautiful Wabashi Bridge. These architectural features blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape.
The arched bridge spanning the pond is particularly popular with photographers. Its vivid vermilion color, reflected in the water and surrounded by seasonal greenery or autumn foliage, creates an iconic Japanese landscape.
Katsuragi is also home to sections of the Koya Pilgrimage Routes, historic paths once used by pilgrims traveling to Mount Koya. These routes are part of the World Heritage cultural landscape of the Kii Mountain Range.
Mitani-zaka is a historic pilgrimage route connecting Niushakuden Shrine with Niutsuhime Shrine. The path passes through peaceful countryside where hikers can see mandarin orange and persimmon orchards and enjoy panoramic views across the Kinokawa River valley.
Historic landmarks such as Kasagishi and Hogiri Jizo can be found along the route, allowing visitors to imagine the pilgrims who once walked these paths centuries ago.
Choishimichi is the approximately 22-kilometer main pilgrimage route connecting Jison-in Temple with Mount Koya.
Stone markers known as choishi stand at regular intervals along the trail. These traditional markers were used to indicate distances and guide pilgrims toward the sacred mountain.
Today, Choishimichi is a popular hiking route where visitors can experience the atmosphere of Japan’s historic mountain pilgrimage traditions while walking through beautiful forests and mountain scenery.
Located in a highland basin at an elevation of approximately 450 meters, Amano Village is known for its beautiful traditional rural landscape. It has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 Most Beautiful Rural Villages.”
Surrounded by rice fields and mountains, the peaceful scenery feels like a glimpse into an older Japan. The celebrated Japanese essayist Masako Shirasu famously praised Amano as a “dream garden opening in a corner of heaven.”
The scenery changes dramatically with the seasons. Visitors can enjoy fresh green foliage in spring, fireflies in summer, golden rice fields in autumn, and peaceful snowy landscapes in winter.
Mount Imoyama and Mount Seyama, located on opposite sides of the Kinokawa River, have been celebrated since ancient times as poetic landmarks associated with the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest surviving collection of poetry.
Many poems in the Manyoshu refer to these mountains, making the area an important place for anyone interested in Japan’s ancient literary heritage.
Stone monuments displaying Manyoshu poems can be found in the surrounding area, allowing visitors to appreciate the same landscapes that inspired ancient poets.
Nearby Funaokayama is also a popular walking area. From the hill, visitors can enjoy broad views of the Kinokawa River and the surrounding mountains.
Funaokayama is a small island in the Kinokawa River, also known as “Nakayama.” It has been admired as a scenic spot since ancient times. According to tradition, the aristocrat Fujiwara no Yorimichi once enjoyed boating here during the Heian period.
Today, visitors can reach the island via a suspension bridge and explore its walking paths. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the island provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the flowing river and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The Shigo area, consisting of the four settlements of Higashitani, Taira, Taki, and Hiroguchi, is famous as one of Japan’s leading production areas for kushigaki.
From autumn through winter, rows of bright orange persimmons are hung beneath the eaves of farmhouses to dry. The resulting landscape is one of Katsuragi’s most distinctive seasonal sights.
The traditional method of making kushigaki has been passed down for approximately 450 years. The finished dried persimmons are traditionally used as an auspicious decoration during the Japanese New Year.
Combined with the peaceful mountain scenery, a visit to Shigo offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s traditional agricultural culture.
Bunzo Falls is a mysterious waterfall hidden deep in the mountains. The area has long been regarded as a sacred site associated with the worship of the Seven Dragon Kings.
The surrounding forest is quiet and peaceful, creating an atmosphere that is ideal for visitors seeking a relaxing nature experience.
The waterfall is particularly beautiful during the seasons of fresh green foliage and autumn colors, making it a popular destination for nature walks and photography.
Horaizan Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine traditionally said to have been founded by Wake no Kiyomaro. The grounds contain four beautiful shrine buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
The brightly colored traditional architecture is particularly impressive and provides an excellent example of Japan’s historic religious architecture.
The shrine also preserves the “Map of Kasada Estate in Kii Province,” an important historical document that provides valuable information about medieval land ownership and society in Japan.
Niushakuden Shrine is traditionally regarded as the place where Niutsuhime-no-Okami first descended to the area. The shrine grounds are home to a magnificent old ginkgo tree, which turns brilliant golden yellow in autumn.
Next to the shrine is Kama-Hachimangu Shrine, known for its unusual local tradition of placing sickles into a sacred tree as part of prayers for wishes to come true.
This distinctive form of worship attracts visitors from across Japan and makes the shrine a particularly interesting stop for travelers curious about local Japanese religious traditions.
Hokushin Myoken Shrine is widely revered as a shrine associated with good fortune and protection from misfortune.
It is particularly unusual because it is known as the “Myoken Shrine that faces north,” a rare characteristic among shrines of its kind. Visitors come from distant areas to pray here.
The shrine’s richly decorated, brightly colored buildings are beautiful, while the surrounding grounds offer peaceful views of the area’s natural scenery.
Horikoshi Shaku Kannon is a sacred Buddhist site traditionally associated with prayers for healing.
The principal image is a Eleven-Headed Kannon, a Buddhist figure of compassion. According to tradition, it was carved by En no Gyoja, the legendary founder associated with Japanese mountain asceticism, to help cure his mother’s illness.
The grounds are also home to a sasanqua camellia designated as a prefectural natural monument. During the annual azalea festival in spring, the site becomes especially lively with visitors.
Michi-no-Eki Kinokawa Manyo-no-Sato is a popular roadside station overlooking the magnificent Kinokawa River.
Visitors can purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as regional specialties. Local foods such as kakinoha-zushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, can also be enjoyed here.
The adjacent Kinokawa Manyo-no-Sato Park has spacious riverside areas where families can enjoy walking, relaxing, and picnicking.
Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato is an important facility for showcasing the agricultural products of Katsuragi.
Fresh seasonal fruits such as persimmons, peaches, grapes, and mandarin oranges are sold here, allowing visitors to experience why Katsuragi is known as the “Fruit Kingdom.”
Local sweets made with fresh fruit and other regional specialties are also popular, making this roadside station a convenient stop for travelers exploring the area.
Hanazono Onsen Kahō-no-Sato is a relaxing hot spring facility surrounded by the mountains of Katsuragi.
Visitors can enjoy a peaceful soak in the natural hot spring while taking in the surrounding seasonal scenery. At night, the low level of artificial light creates excellent conditions for enjoying a beautiful star-filled sky.
It is an ideal place to slow down and relax after exploring the area’s mountains, shrines, pilgrimage routes, and rural landscapes.
Katsuragi is famous as the “Fruit Kingdom of Katsuragi,” producing a wide variety of fruit throughout the year. The fertile soil along the Kinokawa River and the area’s significant temperature differences between day and night create excellent conditions for fruit cultivation.
Katsuragi is particularly famous for its production of Hiratane-nashi persimmons, a seedless variety. These persimmons are naturally astringent when freshly harvested and are treated to remove the astringency before being eaten. They are known for their soft texture and rich sweetness.
Anpo-gaki, a semi-dried persimmon with a soft, almost jam-like texture, is another popular specialty. Its concentrated sweetness makes it a delicious seasonal treat.
In the Shigo area, the traditional craft of making kushigaki has been passed down for approximately 450 years.
Ten persimmons are traditionally threaded onto a single bamboo skewer. The arrangement carries an auspicious meaning in Japanese culture, expressing wishes for happiness, harmony, and a peaceful family life during the New Year.
In late autumn, the rows of drying persimmons hanging beneath farmhouse eaves create a beautiful landscape that has become one of Katsuragi’s best-known seasonal images.
In addition to persimmons, Katsuragi produces peaches, grapes, pears, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, and ume plums.
Fruit-picking experiences are available at local farms, allowing visitors to enjoy fresh fruit directly from the orchard.
Other popular local specialties include pickled ume plums, persimmon vinegar, kakinoha-zushi, goma-dofu (sesame tofu), and kurumi-mochi, a traditional Japanese sweet made with walnuts.
The town also has a long tradition of local sake production. Kawakami sake, a regional style of Japanese sake, is another specialty worth discovering during a visit.
The Ota Festival is held on the third Sunday of January at World Heritage-listed Niutsuhime Shrine.
Designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture, the festival reenacts agricultural activities such as planting rice and harvesting crops in a humorous theatrical style. Participants pray for a plentiful harvest, continuing a farming ritual believed to have roots dating back to the Heian period.
The Hanamori Festival is a major spring festival held at Niutsuhime Shrine on the second Sunday of April.
The approach to the shrine is decorated with colorful flowers, while traditional Shinto music and kagura performances are presented as offerings. One of the highlights is the Gyo no Gi, during which a portable shrine is carried through the local community.
The festival is a beautiful celebration of spring and offers visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese religious culture.
Held on November 23, the Kushigaki Festival is one of Katsuragi’s best-known autumn events.
The festival celebrates the town’s famous kushigaki production and features local products, food, and community events. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful late-autumn scenery created by the rows of drying persimmons.
Hanazono no Ota-mai is a traditional performing art designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Passed down in the former Hanazono Village area, this agricultural ritual includes dances offered in prayer for a good harvest. It remains an important cultural tradition that preserves the history, beliefs, and identity of the local community.
Katsuragi Town is both a beautiful agricultural region known as the “Fruit Kingdom” and a treasure trove of Japanese history and traditional culture.
From Niutsuhime Shrine and the historic pilgrimage routes to Mount Koya to the peaceful landscape of Amano Village and the literary heritage of Mount Imoyama and Mount Seyama, the town offers a remarkable variety of experiences.
Visitors can enjoy seasonal fruit, explore traditional villages, walk along ancient pilgrimage routes, discover historic shrines, and relax in a natural hot spring. Each season brings a different landscape and different flavors to discover.
For travelers looking beyond Japan’s major cities and famous tourist destinations, Katsuragi offers an opportunity to experience the country’s rural landscapes, spiritual traditions, agricultural culture, and seasonal beauty at a relaxed pace. A visit here is an excellent way to discover a quieter and deeply authentic side of Wakayama.