Mankō

Kii Peninsula

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The speciality here is ochazuke, a bowl of rice and toppings over which hot tea is poured. Everyone's here for the popular katsuo ochazuke (¥1450), topped with raw katsuo (bonito), a local speciality, marinated in a secret sauce and shredded nori (laver).

Staff recommend eating half the fish and rice before adding the tea, for two different taste experiences (the hot tea will sear the fish). Look for the wooden facade a minute's walk south of JR Kushimoto Station; the tourism association can point you in the right direction.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Nachi, Japan at the pagoda of Seigantoji and Nachi no Taki waterfall.; Shutterstock ID 693876538; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Kii Peninsula page online images for BiT

    Nachi-no-taki

    16.45 MILES

    At 133m, Nachi-no-taki is Japan's highest waterfall. It's the first of many still deeper in the Nachi mountains and has long been used in ascetic training.

  • Kumano Hongū Taisha

    Kumano Hongū Taisha

    25.2 MILES

    Kumano Hongū Taisha is one of the Kumano Sanzan (three great shrines of Kumano) and if you're following the traditional pilgrim route, it's the first one…

  • WAKAYAMA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 19, 2015: Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine located in Nachi Katsuura Town, it's one the three most important Grand Shrines of Kumano region; Shutterstock ID 395348893; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Kii Peninsula page online images for BiT

    Kumano Nachi Taisha

    14.74 MILES

    Built on the side of a mountain, facing the waterfall Nachi-no-taki, this shrine is one of Kii's most spiritual places, a site of ancient nature worship…

  • Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan; Shutterstock ID 681671041; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Kii Peninsula page online images for BiT

    Kumano Hayatama Taisha

    22.32 MILES

    Located at the mouth of the Kumano-gawa, Kumano Hayatama Taisha is one of the Kumano Sanzan (three sacred shrines of Kumano), enshrining Hayatama-no-Okami…

  • A natural formation of Hashigui Iwa rock, Kushimoto town, Wakayama, Japan; Shutterstock ID 635896211; Your name (First / Last): Laura Crawford; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Kii Peninsula page online images for BiT

    Hashigui-iwa

    1.23 MILES

    This amazing natural rock formation is a line of about a dozen spire-like boulders extending 900m into the water like the supports of a bridge. It's…

  • Seiganto-ji

    Seiganto-ji

    14.74 MILES

    This wooden temple, absent of colour and next to the Shintō shrine Kumano Nachi Taisha, was last rebuilt in 1590, making it the oldest building in Kii …

  • Gotobiki-iwa

    Gotobiki-iwa

    20.59 MILES

    According to the Kumano faith, this large boulder, wedged on the side of Gongen-yama, was where the three principal gods descended to earth. It was the…

  • Ōtorii

    Ōtorii

    24.75 MILES

    In 2000 this giant torii (entrance gate to a Shintō shrine) – 33.9m tall and 42m wide, made out of steel, painted dramatic black and the largest in Japan …

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