Wakayama Prefecture is located in the southern part of the Kinki region, facing the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean, offering a blend of history and nature. Wakayama Castle is a historic site from the Sengoku period. Mount Koya is a sacred site of Japanese Buddhist esotericism, a World Heritage site, with ancient cedar trees towering in the Okunoin cemetery. Nachi Waterfall (one of Japan's three famous waterfalls) and Seigantoji Temple (one of Japan's three ancient bridges) form a picturesque contrast. Shirahama Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and the Senjojiki rock plateau is uniquely shaped by sea erosion. The local cuisine features distinctive flavours such as Kumano beef, cutlassfish dishes, plum dishes (Nanko plums), Wakayama ramen, Yuasa soy sauce, and persimmon leaf sushi.