Day 2: Nachi Falls Pagoda

Our day begins with a scenic drive south from Osaka Castle, passing countryside and coast before arriving in Katsuura, Japan’s #1 tuna port, for a fresh donburi or quick noodle lunch.

In the afternoon, we explore Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Seiganto-ji Temple, where a red pagoda frames the dramatic Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 meters. Walking a section of the UNESCO Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, we descend through mossy cedar forests to Hiro Shrine at the waterfall’s base.

By evening, we ferry across Katsuura Harbor to Hotel Urashima, famed for its oceanfront cave onsen baths. The day closes with a multi-course kaiseki dinner, highlighting the region’s celebrated tuna, enjoyed in traditional yukata robes.tural outdoor onsen, tucked deep within the old-growth forest.