May 2001

The fist week of this month is holidays in a row, and we call this period Golden Week. This month is an ideal season, which is neither hot nor cold, so you can enjoy traveling, sports, lots of events and festivals.

Strawberry Picking in Gobo City
May 1 (Tue.)- 13 (Sun.)
You can enjoy eating as many strawberries as you like. The garden is 3 minutes' car drive from Gobo Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0738-23-1424

Mandala Festival at Koyasan
May 3 (Thu.)- 5 (Sat.)
It's believed that people can find their ties with Buddha by throwing flowers while blindfolded at Mandala painted on a platform. The temple is 5 minutes' walk after getting off the bus from Koya Sta. on the Nankai-koya-Sen.
For further info: 0736-56-2011

Sanada Festival in Kudoyama-Cho
May 3 (Thu.)- 5 (Sat.)
The festival is held in memory of General Masayuki Sanada and his son Yukimura who were very active in the Warring State Period in the 16th Century. The ground is 15 minutes' walk from Kudoyama Sta. on the Nankai-koya-Sen.
For further info: 0736-54-2019

Beach Opening for Swimming in Shirahama
May 3 (Thu.) 9:00 a.m.
This opening is the earliest in the Kansai district. You can enjoy Shinto rites to offer a prayer for a safe swimming season, and experience your first swim at the beach. The beach is 20 minutes' bus ride from Shirahama Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0739-43-5511

Shellfish Digging in Shirahama-Cho
May 3 (Thu.)- 5 (Sat.)
The beach is open for shellfish digging. The beach is 20 minutes' bus ride from Shirahama Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0739-43-5511

Rafting down the River in Kitayama Village
May 3 (Thu.)- Sep. 3 (Sun.)
Rafting as the means of carrying timber is 600 years old. You can enjoy the old and traditional rafting experience. Reservations are needed. (\6000 for adults) The village is reached by the bus from Kumanoshi Sta. on the JR Kiseihonsen.
For further info: 0735-49-2324

Waka Festival at Wakayama Castle in Wakayama City
May 12 (Sat.)- 13 (Sun.)
This annual festival is very popular and is crowded with people. The castle is 10 minutes' bus ride from JR Wakayama Sta. or Wakayama-shi Sta. on Nankai Line.
For further info: 073-422-1111

Watching Fireflies in Nakatsu Village
May 26 (Sun.)
We suggest you go to enjoy the wild dance of fireflies, and you can read ecological information in a meeting room. The village is 30 minutes' car drive from Kawabe IC on Gobo-Yuasa route.
For further info: 0738-54-0326

Festival for Boys and Bamboo Shoots
May 5 is the Boys' Festival, or Tango no Sekku, known also as "Children's Day". People fly carp streamers and decorate samurai helmets as they pray for their boys' development. Bamboo shoots are a delicacy that can be harvested in early May. Usually cooked with rice or boiled, some connoisseurs prefer to carefully boil selected shoots to make thinly sliced "bamboo sashimi".

Minoru Hara

Posted on May 2001 in the following categories: Things to do in... | TrackBack(17)