Kimino is located in north-central Wakayama Prefecture. Kansai International Airport to the north, and world heritage site Mt. Koya to the east, are both about an hour away by car. But despite its ease of access, according to Kimino Town’s own information, not a single overseas tourist visited the area just a few years ago! But they're missing out. Here's why you really should be visiting Kimino.

There are shops throughout the town where you can enjoy local vegetables and fruits.

Kiminoka is a restaurant where you can enjoy delicious gelato full of the rich aroma of fruit grown by the shop’s owners. Single scoop cones and cups are 360 yen (excluding tax).

Located in a renovated sake brewery, Kuratokuri Mominoki Shokudo serves lunches that include over twenty kinds of local vegetables, tofu, and potato patties. Since lunch ends when servings are sold out, advance reservations are recommended.

One of the town’s traditional products is natural hemp brooms for keeping floors and tatami mats clean and beautiful. Another great souvenir item is palm-sized desktop bowls (480 yen plus tax) from the Yamanoie Oishi rest house.

The resident goat, Sumire-chan, is super cute!

The “Washi” paper products from Aserina are wonderful. Found in a refurbished storehouse, the shop produces handmade Japanese paper using traditional methods. You can even try making small washi items yourself (if spaces are available).

And, of course, there are edible souvenirs. You can get seasonal fruits and jams at a reasonable price at the Midorinosato Farmer’s Store.

At an altitude of 870 meters, Oishi Kogen Highland gently spreads out in an unobstructed panorama. The plateau’s susuki grassland are especially breathtaking from late September to mid-November, when it shines silver in the morning sunlight and golden at sunset.

Located at the summit of Matsugamine, 430 meters above sea level, Misato Observatory is one of the best star-viewing spots in Japan. During weekly stargazing sessions, guests can use the largest telescope in Wakayama (105 cm diameter), and the area is perfect for meteor watching as you lie on the grass. While you wait for the sun to set, you can enjoy the observatory’s planetarium and 3D theater.

Ueminami, an inn found in a 150-year-old house built on a mountain, is surrounded by nature and has no TV or vending machines on site.

Guests are limited to one group per day, so visiting with your family or friends will give you the feeling of coming to a relative's house in the countryside to relax and take in the pleasant scenery.

At Misato no Yu Kajikaso, you can enjoy outdoor bathing and delicious meals during an overnight stay or a day trip. Botan nabe (5,000 yen per person, tax not included), thinly sliced boar meat boiled with vegetables, is highly recommended. This type of hot pot typically served only in winter, but here you can enjoy it all year round.

Kamataki Yakushi Kongoji offers an interesting lodging option. It’s located at the west entrance to Mt. Koya, one of Japan’s oldest temple complexes, and pilgrims heading for the mountain can spend a peaceful night in the shukubo (guest room). Visitors who don’t stay the night are also welcome to meditate, copy sutras, and observe the Buddha (1,000 yen each, including tax).

Kimino is an adorable and charming area, perfect for a getaway during your time in Japan. Seeing as it is relatively untouched by tourists, you can get to know the true Japan and really make use of the peace and quiet.

As there’s no train service to Kimino, so you’ll need a rental car to get there. Free information pamphlets packed with highlights are available in Japanese, English, and Chinese at the city office. If you haven't seen Kimino’s PR video, check it out!

Text by: West Plan