I wanted to get lost in Wakayama City and explore some of its no so touristy areas. I ended up discovering three interesting and completely off-the-beaten path places. First, a small restaurant with a cheap, well served, and delicious breakfast. Second, a mountain with breathtaking views of the city. And third, an authentic and local fishing village.
Although English is not spoken at Take Gaki café , just saying “konnichiwa, breakfast set, arigato” will be enough to enjoy a cheap but well served breakfast. For ¥500, the set includes a scrambled egg, two toasts, ham or bacon, salad and mint or lemon tea or coffee. The place is well hidden between the streets of the Shintori neighbourhood. If you’re around the area and want to try it, the restaurant is at the South corner of Shinsaikamachi and Minamisaikamachi streets.
After a wake up coffee and a full breakfast, I had energy to climb up the top of Takozushiyama Mountain. Some locals I met had recommended this place; I didn’t expect the view to be as stunning. On the summit you can go up the stairs of the watchtower where you will have a 360 degree view of Wakayama City. Southeast you will have Marina City, to the North Kinokawa River dividing the center of the city and to the Northwest the Kada area and Tomogashima Islands.
To get here catch bus number 24 from JR Wakayama station. A 30 minutes, ¥390 ride will take you to Shinwakaura bus stop. Get down and walk west for twenty minutes on the main road. Time will pass quickly as you will have amazing views of Wakaura Bay to your left. Very close to Shinwakayuen bus stop, you’ll see the stairs that will guide you to top of Takozushiyama.
While on the summit, look west and you will see many small houses grouped along a cliff. This is Saikazaki fishing port and village. It’s another twenty minutes walk but it’s really worth going there. Just getting lost through its narrow streets, you can feel the authenticity of the place. No tourists are around. Watch the houses, some of them are very old, keeping the ways of traditional Japanese architectural design. Visiting this area will give you a real sense of how people live here.
Nearby you will find two other great places to round off your day, Saikazaki lighthouse and Bandoko Teien garden. Both of them are perfect spots to watch and enjoy a great sunset. The lighthouse is completely free, the garden is ¥600 per person. They are almost next to each other. To get there from Saikazaki Port, walk west on the main road for 10 minutes and you will be there.
