the viewing deck: Kansai South 1st Part; Wakayama Castle and the Porta Europa

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Kansai South 1st Part; Wakayama Castle and the Porta Europa

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai (Osaka) International Airport Arrival at night

How to go to Wakayama Castle;
Wakayama Castle is around 20mins walk from Wakayamashi Station Exit. For Wakayama bus (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) terminal just outside Wakayama train Station, ride bus #8 going to Koen-mae stop. Entrance fee is 300JPY, discounted admission for KTP holders. Photography and video taking is permitted only in the grounds and on the viewing deck but not inside the castle.

Wakayama Castle and Castle keep history goes back to 1585 when Hideyoshi Hashiba ordered his brother Hidenaga to build the castle. A panoramic view of Wakayama Citycan be enjoyed from the castle keep. When the castle was originally built on the west summit of Mt. Torafusu by the House of Asano, Wakayama Castle was very similar to its current state. In 1935, Wakayama Castle was designated as national treasure. However in 1945, it was burned to the ground during the air bombing. Subsequently in 1958, it was rebuilt in reinforced concrete.

How to go to Porta Europa;
For Wakayama bus (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) terminal just outside Wakayama train Station, ride bus #21 from Wakayama Castle going to Marina City stop. Entrance fee is 1,300JPY, discounted admission for KTP holders. Photography and video taking is permitted inside the grounds.

Porta Europa, a theme park in Marina City of Wakayama, is a faithful recreation of the streets of Medieval Europe. The park filled with attractions, and it holds many events throughout the year such as fantastic fireworks shows. The theme park featuring the reproduced Mediterranean fishing village in the Middle Age. Full of attractions which both adults and children could amuse themselves.