Exploring Nachi-Katsuura: Japan’s Tuna Capital on the Kumano Kodo
Tucked along the southeastern coast of Wakayama Prefecture, Nachi-Katsuura (那智勝浦町), also written Nachikatsuura or known as Kii-Katsuura, is a fishing town on the Kii Peninsula, best known for its tuna fishing industry and proximity to Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls.
I stayed in Nachi-Katsuura as part of a broader journey through Mie and Wakayama prefectures along the Kumano Kodo, and was drawn to tis authentic and distinctive atmosphere, marked by its strong connection to the ocean. If you’re looking for a different side of the Kumano region, shaped by early-morning auctions, quiet harbor walks, and evenings spent soaking in hot springs overlooking the sea, then Nachi-Katsuura is a coastal gem you won’t regret adding to your itinerary.
Why Visit Nachi-Katsuura
Nachi-Katsuura is one of Japan’s most important fishing ports, and is renowned for having the highest catch of tuna in Japan. Fishing boats line the harbor, restaurants design their menus around the daily catch, and you can see all around how fishing is at the heart of the town’s identity and a vital part of the local economy.
Beyond food, Nachi-Katsuura works really well as a place to stay overnight if you’re exploring the Kumono Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage network of ancient trails. It’s the closest town to Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社), one of the three grand shrines of Kumano, and the Nachi Falls (那智の滝). From Kii-Katsuura station, it takes about 40 minutes by bus to reach the shrine, and 20 minutes by car.
What I also loved about Nachi-Katsurra is that it’s a coastal onsen town, without the crowds that you can find in more popular destinations.
How to Get to Nachi-Katsuura
The point of entry to Nachi-Katsuura is Kii-Katsuura station (紀伊勝浦駅), which is located only a few minutes walk from the harbor.
From Osaka, you can take the JR Limited Express Kuroshio from Shin-Osaka to Kii-Katsuura (around 4-4.5 hours from Osaka).
From Nagoya, take the JR Limited Express Nanki along the coast (around 3.5 hours).
There might be other interesting options depending on the time of the day you plan to travel, so I’d recommend checking Google maps or apps and websites like NAVITIME or Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan that can help with schedules and route planning.
✨ TRAVELY TIP: The JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass can offer great value if you're planning to explore more of the Kansai region. I recommend checking current pass options if you're traveling from Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka or Okayama.
Best Things to Do in Nachi-Katsuura
1. Eat One of the Freshest Tuna in Japan
I was very excited to eat tuna in Japan’s tuna capital, and I was not disappointed. Many restaurants serve locally and freshly caught tuna, resulting in incredibly tender texture and clean flavor. You can enjoy raw tuna in sashimi sets, tuna donburi, or nigiri, or tuna cutlet (toro katsu) if you don’t like raw fish.
I enjoyed a delicious dinner at a small and cosy restaurant called Takehara (まぐろ料理 竹原). I chose a tuna set with thick tuna sashimi, and I can still remember the tuna melting in my mouth. It was probably the freshest tuna I’ve ever have.
2. Wake Up Early for the Tuna Auction
If you’re staying overnight, I’d definitely recommend to wake up early to see the tuna auction at JF Katsuura Seafood Market (勝浦地方卸売市場). The auctions take place from around 7:00am, except on Saturdays, days before national holidays, and a couple of irregular holidays each month. You can check the market calendar here (in Japanese).
You can see the auction from outside the auction hall, or from a small observation deck on the second floor of the next building (on Google Maps it’s called マグロ資料館 展望スペース TSUNAGOOD（つなぐ)), which also has a small museum dedicated to the local fishing industry (in Japanese).
I had never been to a tuna auction before and observing the buyers inspecting fish and quick negotiations was fascinating.
3. Visit Katsuura Gyoko Nigiwai-Ichiba Fish Market
Located by the port next to the auction hall, Katsuura Gyoko Nigiwai-Ichiba (勝浦漁港にぎわい市場) is an easy stop for a casual meal or souvenir shopping. You’ll find fresh seafood bowls, tuna-based snacks, and artisanal and locally made products. It’s compact and fits nicely into a morning stroll along the harbor.
🕒 Opening hours: Open from 8am to 4pm (closed on Tuesdays)
4. Enjoy Foot Baths and Hot Springs
Nachi-Katsuura is also a paradise for onsen lovers. Public foot baths are scattered around town, near the fish market (海の湯) or by the train station (滝乃湯). It’s free and it was fun to take a rest there while enjoying the peaceful scenery of the fishing port.
I also enjoyed the hot springs at the hotel where I stayed at the night before, Hotel Sunrise Katsuura, and many accommodations feature their own baths, often with sea views.
And even if you’re only passing by Nachii-Katsuura as a day visitor, you could consider stopping by a local onsen like Hamayu Hot Spring (天然温泉公衆浴場 はまゆ), a local and retro public bathhouse, or Spa Bokido (忘帰洞), an onsen within a cave that belongs to Urashima resort hotel, reachable by a ferry. I didn’t try any of them so I can’t give any personal feedback, but I would like to visit them next time I’ll come to Nachi-Katsuura.
5. Stroll Through the Fishing Town
One of the best ways to experience the area is simply by leisurely walking around. I enjoyed taking pictures while wandering around and passing by colorful boats gently rocking in the harbor, narrow streets, slightly weathered buildings and small local eateries and shops. The town has a quiet charm that was quite atmospheric, and I think photographers would have plenty of fun capturing it.
Other Things to Do in Nachi-Katsuura
You could also join a cruise to explore the bay and its many islands, such as the Kino-Matsushima Boat Tour, a scenic boat ride that lasts about an hour, or rent a bicycle to explore the area.
➡️ You can find additional ideas and up-to-date information on the town’s official tourism website.
Where to Stay in Nachi-Katsuura
There are several accommodation options you can choose from in Nachi-Katsuura, catering to all budgets and preferences, from modern hotels or resorts to charming traditional ryokan or budget-friendly minshuku.
I stayed at Hotel Sunrise Katsuura (サンライズ勝浦) that I can recommend as a practical, budget-friendly and comfortable option located by the sea, within walking distance to the station and the town’s main sightseeing spots. I stayed in a Japanese-style room with a view on the ocean, and enjoyed the casual onsen in the evening after a day of exploring.
Looking for more accommodation options in Nachi-Katsuura? If I were to stay again and try a new place, based on reviews, I’d be interested in staying at Hotel Urashima (Sanjokan), for the beautiful views and the cave onsen experience. It seems like an ideal place to unwind after hiking the Kumano Kodo.
➡️ For more accommodation options in Nachi-Katsuura, you can checking Agoda and Booking to easily compare prices and locations.
A Few Travel Tips for Your Visit to Nachi-Katsuura
How Long to Spend in Nachi-Katsuura
I’d recommend staying one night (or more) in Nachi-Katsuura. It gives you time to experience the early-morning tuna auction, enjoy the onsen, and explore the port town at a relaxed pace.
That’s what I did during my trip: I arrived by car in the late afternoon after driving along the coast, had dinner at a local restaurant, and stayed overnight. The following morning, I visited the tuna auction, took a quiet stroll around town, and then continued on to visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and explore more of Wakayama Prefecture.
Other Things to See and Do Nearby
Nachi-Katsuura is perfectly positioned for exploring southern Wakayama, especially:
Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, Seiganto-ji Temple the Nachi Falls, which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Japan.
Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage trails, passing through the Kii peninsula.
Coastal road trips, as the rugged coastline between Wakayama and Mie is full of beautiful sights, ideal for slow traveling by car.
If you’re continuing your journey and look for more ideas, you can read my detailed guides to other parts of Wakayama and Mie Prefectures, including Koyasan Wakayama city and Kumano Kodo routes. If you’d like to keep up with my latest articles, you can sign up for my free monthly newsletter.
To Conclude
Between fresh tuna meals, quiet harbor walks, and its deep connection to the Kumano region, Nachi-Katsuura offers an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience that fits perfectly into a Kumano Kodo itinerary. I’m a big seafood and onsen lover, so when I was looking for a town to stay the night before my visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi-Katsuura appeared as the perfect place. I really enjoyed visiting this town, and would like to visit again and spend more time to appreciate the town’s atmosphere and enjoy a relaxing time in one of the town’s ryokans.
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