Shingu Japan Wakayama
Japan

20 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Ponant (3 Cruises)

Seabourn Cruise Line (17 Cruises)


Frequently Asked Questions

Because this small town of about 30,000, wedged between the Pacific and the forests of Wakayama, holds one of the three great Kumano shrines. Calling here means entering by sea the land of the Kumano Kodo, the pilgrimage trail network listed as World Heritage alongside the routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Both. The commercial port takes ships a short distance from the centre, and the main sites are 15 to 20 minutes apart. Bicycles can be rented near the station, notably at Jofuku Park.
One of the three great holy places of Kumano, a quarter of an hour from Shingu station. Its brilliant vermilion pavilions line up beneath the trees. It is the arrival point for generations of pilgrims who came by mountain path and by river alike.
The most intense experience of the call. Considered the cradle of local faith, it nestles against a massive rock venerated since time immemorial. From the top, the town's rooftops, the curve of the coast and the Pacific open out in a single view.
Yes, and it should be said plainly: the stone staircase is steep and is climbed at your own pace, one hand on the rail. Allow about 30 minutes from the station to reach the foot of the stairs, then the climb itself, which varies with your fitness. It does not suit everyone.
Yes, excursions offered at the pier often run an hour by road to Nachi Taisha shrine and its neighbour, Nachi Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in Japan. The red pagoda standing before the white ribbon of water is one of the most reproduced images in the country.
Two options. On your own: Hayatama Taisha, Jofuku Park and, for those with the legs for it, the Kamikura staircase. On an excursion: Nachi Taisha and its waterfall, with an hour on the road each way. Combining them is too tight.
Walking shoes: cobbles, roots and uneven steps are part of the programme. In hot weather, carry water before the Kamikura climb, as there are no shops along the way.
The shrines are free to visit. Small offerings and the amulets sold on site make good souvenirs. The tourist office at the station provides maps in English and route advice.
An envoy of the Chinese emperor who, according to legend, landed on these shores in search of an elixir of immortality. A small Chinese-style garden near the station is dedicated to him. In Shingu, history and myth share the streets without embarrassment.