Wakayama 800
Yes, the Wakayama 800 is not a single continuous route—it’s a network of multiple interconnected cycling routes totaling over 800 kilometers throughout Wakayama Prefecture. These routes are designed to showcase the diverse geography and culture of Wakayama Prefecture, and they vary in length, difficulty, and terrain.
Wakayama Prefecture includes a wide variety of scenery from mountain passes to coastal cycling
The network includes:
- Coastal routes (e.g., around Shirahama and the Kumano coast)
- Mountain climbs (e.g., up to Koyasan or through the inland forested areas)
- Riverside paths (e.g., the Kinokawa Cycling Road)
- Rural and urban connectors linking towns, shrines, and natural landmarks
Each segment is marked with blue cycling route lines and supported by infrastructure like bike stations and cycle-friendly lodgings. Riders can mix and match routes to suit their goals—whether it’s a short day trip or a multi-day tour across the prefecture.
Wakayama 800 Routes
Pacific Cycling Route (Wakayama Section)
The entire Wakayama section of the Pacific Cycling Route is included in the Wakayama 800 routes. The Pacific cycling Route officially starts in Wakayama at “Wakayama Kada” (Google Maps).
Keinawa Cycling Road
The entire Wakayama section of the Keinawa Cycling Road is included the Wakayama 800.
The Wakayama 800 officially includes 3 different difficulty levels for levels but they only add on small sections and don’t substantially change the route.
Ridewithgps Routes
Official Route: Difficult
*Includes an extra 10km round trip to the Awashima Shrine at the end of Cape Takura
Official Route: Moderate
Official Loop Route from Wakayama: Easy
Mt. Koya
The Wakayama 800 includes a great climbing route around Mt. Koya.
Mount Koya (Kōyasan) is a sacred mountain in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, renowned as the heart of Shingon Buddhism. Founded by the monk Kūkai in the 9th century, it’s home to hundreds of temples surrounded by misty forests. Visitors can stay overnight in temple lodgings, join monks for meditation, and explore Okunoin Cemetery — one of Japan’s most spiritual sites.
Official Page (Japanese Only)
Wakayama 800 Koya Route: Official RidewithGPS
Kumano Shrine Route (Route #8)
Crossing the middle of the Kii Peninsula on national Route 11, the Wakayama 800 includes a route to visit the Kumano Shrines (熊野本宮大社) along the way. After reaching the coast on the East side of Kii Peninsula, the official route includes a visit to Nachi Falls (one of the 3 famous waterfalls of Japan along with Fukuroda Falls in Ibaragi Prefecture and Kegon Falls in Tochigi Prefecture)
Official Website (Japanese Only) and RidewithGPS
Ocean, River and Mountain Route
Official Page (Japanese Only)
Nachi Falls Climb
The Famous Nachi Falls (one of the 3 big waterfalls of Japan, the other two being Kegon in Tochigi and Fukuroda in Ibaragi) is a medium climb from the coast.
Official Website (Japanese Only)
Arakijima Rice Terraces
An 84km route that visits one of the most famous rice terraces in Japan, Arakajima Rice Terraces. This route starts a bit South of Wakayama and heads into the mountains to the East (Official RideWithGPS Route).
There are blue bicycle route markings on the National Route 480 towards the Rice terraces but if one follows these they will end up in Mt. Koya so be careful
Official Page (Japanese Only)
Hidaka River Route (Route 7)
The Hidaka River Route is a beautiful route along the Hidaka River starting at the Central Wakayama Coast.
Note that while this is an official route, as of 2024, there is absolutely no signposting or blue road markings at all so make sure you have the route handy on a device. (RidewithGPS)
Official Page (Japanese Only)
Other Information
JNTO Website (English): Wakayama 800
Official Website (Japanese): Wakayama 800
Getting there and away
Wakayama Station, at the northwestern corner of the Wakayama 800 routes (and the prefecture itself) is easily accessible from Osaka with fast and frequent service on both the JR Hanwa and Nankai Wakayama lines.
South of Wakayama and East of Wakayama, virtually of the JR lines allow bicycles to be carried as is on the train (some trains have time of day restrictions).
While limited in the number seats, the Kuroshio Limited Express (Between Shingu and Shirahama) is the only limited express in the country (as of 2025) that allows bicycles to be taken on as is.
Cycle trains in Wakayama Official Website (English)
