Wakayama Prefecture, located in southern Kii Peninsula, represents religious cultural sacred ground forming core of World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Housing Kumano Sanzan and Mount Koya as Japan's two great Buddhist sacred sites, it has welcomed numerous pilgrims as faithful land since ancient times.

"Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" (registered 2004) includes Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha), Mount Koya Kongobuji Temple, and connecting Kumano Kodo as registered World Cultural Heritage. Pilgrimage route World Heritage registration represents world's second achievement alongside Spain's "Camino de Santiago".

Mount Koya, Shingon Buddhism head temple founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in 816, represents religious city with 117 temples in approximately 800-meter-elevation mountain basin. Garan centered on Kongobuji Temple and Okunoin housing Kukai's mausoleum serve as major sacred sites. Okunoin approach features approximately 200,000 gravestones and memorial towers lining paths, creating sacred atmosphere as Japan's largest cemetery.

Kumano Sanzan, worshipped since ancient times as "rebirth sacred land," attracted numerous pilgrims called "ant Kumano pilgrimage" from Heian through Edo periods. Kumano Hongu Taisha, head shrine of approximately 3,000 nationwide Kumano shrines, enshrines Ketsumiko no Okami as main deity. Kumano Nachi Taisha represents natural worship sacred site integrated with Nachi Falls, with falls themselves serving as sacred objects.

Nachi Falls, Japan's largest straight waterfall with 133-meter drop, is worshipped as sacred object of Hiryū Shrine (Kumano Nachi Taisha's auxiliary shrine). Fall water is beloved as longevity water, with numerous worshippers descending near basin for worship. Surrounding Nachi primeval forest maintains valuable natural environments as evergreen broadleaf forest.

Kumano Kodo represents collective pilgrimage routes to Kumano Sanzan, featuring five routes: Nakahechi, Ohechi, Kohechi, Iseji, and Omine Okugake-michi. Particularly, Nakahechi served as main route utilized by most pilgrims, with well-preserved historic sites including stone pavements and oji shrines (rest stops cum shrines during pilgrimage). Currently popular as hiking courses, attracting numerous pilgrims and tourists worldwide.

Wakayama Castle, residence castle of Kishu Tokugawa family (one of Tokugawa three branch families), represents hirayama (hill-plain) castle built on Mount Torafushi. Current keep was reconstructed postwar, but historical structures including Ohashi Corridor and Okaguchi Gate remain. Also beloved as cherry blossom spot with approximately 600 trees blooming in spring.

Wakayama Prefecture's food culture prominently features nationally famous pickled plums, comprising about 60% national production. Particularly, Nanko plums feature large size, thick flesh, thin skin, and small pits, known nationwide as premium pickled plums. Minabe-Tanabe region plum production gained 2006 Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems recognition.

Also known as soy sauce birthplace, Yuasa town conducted soy sauce brewing for approximately 750 years. Yuasa soy sauce, known for rich flavor and distinctive taste, continues traditional production methods today.

Kumano beef, brand beef raised in southern Wakayama Prefecture, represents quality wagyu grown in rich natural environments. Additionally, abundant seafood including hairtail and tuna offers fresh marine delicacies.