Rest & Renew by the Sea
BEFORE THE KUMANO KODO ｜ Shiogori × Onsen × Fresh SeafoodA long flight. A long train ride.
Let the sea wash it all away before you walk the sacred path.
日本語 ｜ English
Your journey has been long. Your pilgrimage has not begun yet.
You have crossed oceans by plane, then traveled down the Kii Peninsula by train. Your body is tired, your mind still somewhere between time zones.
Ancient pilgrims knew this feeling. Before entering the sacred mountains of Kumano, they stopped at the Tanabe coast to cleanse body and spirit. Follow their way: purify yourself by the sea, heal in an ancient hot spring, and restore your strength with the ocean’s bounty.
Arrive tired. Leave renewed. Then step onto the Kumano Kodo.
*Photos are for illustration purposes only.
01 ｜ SHIOGORI
Cleanse by the Sea
For over a thousand years, pilgrims walking the Kumano Kodo began not in the forest, but at the Tanabe coast. Here they performed Shiogori (潮垢離), purification with seawater, to wash away the dust of the everyday world.
Ogigahama Beach is a short walk from JR Kii-Tanabe Station. You don’t need to swim. Stand at the water’s edge, breathe in the sea breeze, and touch the waves with your hands. Leave the fatigue of your travels at the shore.
02 ｜ BY SEA TO SHIRAHAMA
Cross Tanabe Bay on a Fishing Boat
From Tanabe, board a local fishing boat with SHIOGORI CRUISE. Guided by a local captain, cruise around Tanabe Bay and see islands and coastline you can’t reach by land, then land at Yuzaki Fishing Port in Shirahama.
No highway, no traffic. Just wind, waves, and the slow rhythm of the sea.
*Operation depends on weather and sea conditions. Please contact us for schedules and fares.
03 ｜ ONSEN
Heal in One of Japan’s Oldest Hot Springs
Shirahama Onsen is counted among Japan’s three oldest hot springs, alongside Dogo and Arima, with a history of more than 1,350 years. Ancient emperors and empresses are said to have journeyed here to bathe.
Just steps from Yuzaki Fishing Port is Sakinoyu, a rustic rock bath where hot spring water rises on the seashore. Soak with the Pacific Ocean right in front of you and let the waves ease the stiffness of your long journey.
Onsen tips: Wash your body before entering the bath. Bathing is without swimwear. Keep your towel out of the water. Policies on tattoos vary by facility, so please check in advance.
*Please check opening hours and fees with the facility.
04 ｜ SEAFOOD
Refuel with the Bounty of the Sea
Next to Sakinoyu stands Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama, run by the local fishermen themselves. Fish landed at the port right in front of you goes straight to your table.
Try a kaisendon, a bowl of rice topped generously with fresh sashimi, or a plate of assorted sashimi. Browse the fresh fish market on the ground floor, too. Warm from the onsen and full of the sea’s energy, you are ready for the mountains.
*Please check opening hours and menu with the facility.
Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama (official site, Japanese)
Suggested Plan
| Arrival day | Arrive at JR Kii-Tanabe Station → Shiogori at Ogigahama Beach |
|---|---|
| By sea | Tanabe Port → cruise around Tanabe Bay → Yuzaki Fishing Port (Shirahama) |
| Rest | Shirahama Onsen (Sakinoyu) → seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama |
| Next day | Refreshed and ready, begin the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route from Takijiri-oji |
| Schedule & fares | Please contact us |
*Onsen fees and meals are paid individually at each facility. Boat operation may change or be cancelled depending on weather and sea conditions.
Contact Us
For boat reservations and inquiries, please email us.
cruise@andlocal.jp
“Leave the weight of the world at the shore before you climb the heavens.”