Nachikatsuura, Coastal town in Higashimuro District, Japan.
Nachikatsuura is a town on the southeastern coast of the Kii Peninsula, stretching across mountainous terrain beside the Pacific Ocean. The harbor area is shaped by active fishing operations, particularly the tuna trade.
The town was formed in 1955 through the merger of Nachi and Katsuura municipalities, both rooted in the ancient Kii Province. This consolidation joined two established fishing communities into a single administrative area.
The Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine sits within the town and serves as a key stopping point along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path. Visitors experience this sacred site as part of their spiritual journey through the region.
The local fish market lets visitors observe daily activity and trade practices, especially in the early morning hours. The best time to explore is early, when it is quieter and less crowded.
The Urashima Hotel features a natural bath set inside a coastal cave overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where visitors can soak with a direct sea view. This bath is carved into the landscape itself, creating an unusual bathing experience.
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