Roadside Station Taiji, located in Taiji Town in eastern Wakayama Prefecture, is a popular tourist facility welcoming visitors to the “Town of Whales.” Situated along National Route 42 near the Moriura intersection, it is an ideal place to take a break during a road trip while discovering the food, history, nature, and unique culture of Taiji.
Opened in 2017, the facility was developed around the theme of a town that has lived alongside whales. Inside, visitors will find a market selling fresh seafood and local agricultural products, a food court serving traditional whale dishes, and an information area introducing the Japan Heritage story of “Living with Whales”.
For travelers visiting Taiji for the first time, Roadside Station Taiji is an excellent starting point for learning about the town and planning a sightseeing trip around its many attractions.
Taiji is historically known as one of the birthplaces of traditional Japanese whaling. During the Edo period (1603–1868), local fishermen developed an innovative whaling technique known as Amikake-zukitori, in which nets and harpoons were used together. Whaling became an important part of the town’s economy and community life.
This cultural heritage continues to be passed down today, and Roadside Station Taiji plays an important role in introducing Taiji’s relationship with whales to visitors from Japan and abroad.
The information area features panels, videos, and animated displays explaining the history of whaling and the various species of whales and dolphins found in the waters of the Kumano Sea. The exhibits are designed to be easy to understand, allowing visitors to learn about Taiji’s history and culture before exploring the town.
The market at Roadside Station Taiji offers a wide selection of seafood and agricultural products from Taiji and neighboring communities. The rich waters of the Kumano Sea provide an abundance of fresh fish, dried seafood, fresh tuna, and whitebait.
One of the most distinctive features is the selection of whale products. Depending on availability, visitors may find whale red meat, whale bacon, unesu, on the underside of the whale, and other traditional cuts that are rarely encountered outside regions with a long history of whale cuisine.
Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit delivered by local farmers are also available. Because the selection changes according to the season, each visit can offer something different.
The market is also a convenient place to shop for souvenirs from the Kishu region, including Nachi-Kuro candy, local sake, traditional sweet snacks, and tuna-flavored rice crackers.
One of the main attractions of Roadside Station Taiji is its food court featuring dishes made with local ingredients. As a town with a long whaling tradition, Taiji offers visitors an opportunity to experience whale cuisine alongside seafood specialties from the surrounding waters.
One of the most popular choices is the Whale Tatsuta-age Set Meal. Whale meat is marinated in a specially prepared sauce before being coated and fried until crisp on the outside while remaining tender inside. The dish offers a taste associated with traditional home-style whale cuisine.
Other options include whale cutlet set meals, grilled whale set meals, whale stamina rice bowls, and whale cutlet curry. For visitors who want to compare different cuts and flavors, the Whale Taste Comparison Set Meal is an especially interesting choice.
The menu also includes unique regional dishes such as the Kujira no Wamo Sauce Set Meal, created by students of the Wakayama School for the Blind, highlighting the connections between local communities and food culture.
The area around Taiji is also known for its fresh tuna. Sashimi set meals and tuna rice bowls made with fresh tuna delivered from nearby Katsuura Port are popular choices.
Visitors can also enjoy dishes such as fresh whitebait rice bowls and boiled whitebait rice bowls, offering an easy way to taste the bounty of the Kishu coast.
For travelers looking for something lighter, the food court also serves familiar Japanese dishes such as udon noodles and Wakayama-style ramen, making the facility convenient for families and visitors with different tastes.
Several takeout items are perfect for a quick snack during a sightseeing trip. Popular choices include a whale cutlet burger, whale croquettes, and fried whale Tatsuta-age served in a cup.
The whale cutlet burger is particularly popular, combining the savory flavor of whale meat with ginger soy sauce and tartar sauce.
For dessert, try the soft-serve ice cream made with Nanki-grown ponkan oranges or the Nachi-Kuro soft-serve with a rich brown-sugar-like flavor. They are perfect for enjoying during a leisurely break from driving.
Roadside Station Taiji is also known for its emphasis on creating a clean and comfortable restroom environment. The interior features a calm color scheme and spacious, well-maintained facilities.
Women’s restrooms include powder areas, while baby changing tables and baby chairs are also provided. These facilities make the roadside station convenient for families traveling with young children.
A 24-hour rest area and free Wi-Fi are also available, making the facility a useful stopping point for travelers taking long road trips through the Kii Peninsula.
Located approximately five minutes by car from Roadside Station Taiji, the Taiji Whale Museum is one of the town’s most important attractions. The museum is one of the world’s largest facilities dedicated to whales and provides detailed information about whale biology and the history of whaling.
The collection includes approximately 1,000 exhibits, including whale skeletons, traditional whaling equipment, dioramas, and models of modern whaling vessels. A visit provides valuable insight into the long and complex relationship between Taiji and whales.
Tomyozaki Cape is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Remains of a traditional whaling lookout and signal-fire station can still be found here, offering a glimpse into the whaling culture of the past.
The walking trails provide impressive views of the rugged coastline and the vast waters of the Kumano Sea.
Kandorizaki Cape is another popular destination, known for its beautiful grassy grounds and distinctive white lighthouse. The cape is also home to the “Married Japanese Juniper Trees,” which have survived for centuries despite the strong coastal winds.
Kandorizaki is also designated as a geosite within the Nanki-Kumano Geopark, making it an interesting destination not only for its scenery but also for its geological significance.
Near the entrance to Taiji stands a life-size monument depicting a humpback whale and its calf. The monument has become a symbolic landmark of the town and is a popular spot for photographs.
For visitors arriving in Taiji by car, it offers a memorable first impression of the town’s close connection with whales.
The Daiichi Kyo-maru, a former whaling vessel brought ashore in 2012, is another distinctive sight in Taiji. The vessel actually participated in whaling operations in the North Pacific and Antarctic regions and remains preserved in its original form.
Although the interior is not open to the public, the enormous size of the vessel provides a striking reminder of the scale of Japan’s modern whaling industry.
Taiji is a beautiful coastal town characterized by rugged, deeply indented shorelines. The surrounding sea benefits from the warm Kuroshio Current, creating rich marine resources that have supported local communities for generations.
At the same time, the town has developed a distinctive cultural heritage through its long relationship with whales. Roadside Station Taiji is more than simply a place to stop and rest—it is a gateway to understanding the town’s nature, history, food, and culture.
Visitors can taste fresh seafood and traditional whale dishes, learn about the history of whaling, discover local products, and use the facility as a starting point for exploring Taiji’s scenic coastline.
For travelers exploring southern Wakayama, the Kumano region, or the Kumano Kodo, Roadside Station Taiji is a convenient place to take a break and experience the character of the Kishu coast.
After enjoying a meal or shopping for local specialties, visitors can continue to the Taiji Whale Museum, Tomyozaki Cape, Kandorizaki Cape, and other attractions around the town.
With its combination of whale culture, local cuisine, fresh seafood, coastal scenery, and convenient traveler facilities, Roadside Station Taiji is an excellent place to discover the unique charm of Taiji—the historic “Town of Whales.”