Nanki Katsuura Onsen

Kii Matsushima is a breathtaking view that can be seen by departing from the Katsuura Tourist Pier by boat. More than 130 large and small strange rocks float over a 17-kilometer area, creating a unique landscape. It has become a popular spot that is not inferior to Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, and is the foremost scenic spot in Nanki. Two courses, A and S (S course in case of bad weather), are available for the sightseeing boat, and you can participate in the 55-minute A course for 1,650 yen for adults.

For foodies, we recommend a must-visit spot: the Katsuura Fish Market. This is a fishing port with the highest tuna landing volume in Japan, where you can find a variety of restaurants serving freshly caught tuna as well as an area where you can watch tuna being dissected. In addition to sashimi, you can enjoy various dishes such as sushi and tuna skewers at the restaurants. There are also shops selling processed seafood products, making it a great place to choose souvenirs.

Around the Minami-Kishu Katsuura Onsen area, there are three beaches where you can enjoy swimming in the ocean. Among them, the most recommended is the beach known as Blue Beach Nachi (officially named Nachi Beach), which has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan. Its features include a spacious sandy beach that stretches for about 800 meters and a high level of transparency in the blue sparkling sea. One of the reasons for its popularity is its convenient access, just a 5-minute bus ride from JR Kii-Katsuura Station.

At Nanki-Katsuura Onsen, there are a total of three footbaths that you can enter for free. "Takinoyu," located in front of JR Kii-Katsuura Station, is a completely flowing footbath that is popular due to its easy access. For those who want to enjoy a footbath while feeling open-minded while watching the sea, we recommend "Umino-yu," which is located near the Katsuura Fishing Port lively market. It is a large footbath that can seat 25 people, and there are also restrooms and changing rooms available.

In the waters around Minami-Kishu Katsuura Onsen, you can observe whales swimming from late April to the end of September every year. If you're lucky, you can see a group of sperm whales and enjoy the powerful sight that can't be experienced in an aquarium. There are several boat companies that offer whale watching around the port, so it's recommended to compare the time and price ranges and choose the one that suits your plan.