From Osaka: Tomogashima Island and Wakayama Castle Tour
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
- Bus fares required for the tour
- Entrance fee for Wakayama Castle
- Ferry roundtrip tickets
- Guided tour with an English speaking guide
- Train tickets required for the tour
- Accommodation
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to/from the tour start/end point
- Bus fares required for the tour
- Entrance fee for Wakayama Castle
- Ferry roundtrip tickets
- Guided tour with an English speaking guide
- Train tickets required for the tour
- Accommodation
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to/from the tour start/end point
Begin your day by meeting your guide at Nankai Namba Station. Hop on a train to Wakayama, and watch as the cityscape gradually fades into beautiful rural and coastal scenery. Transfer to a short train before arriving at the port.
Board a ferry and enjoy a refreshing 20-minute boat cruise across the Kitan Strait, offering beautiful views of the Wakayama coastline and the surrounding islands. Arrive at Tomogashima, a cluster of four uninhabited islands off the coast of Wakayama.
Explore the main island, Oshima, famous for its abandoned Meiji-era military forts, red-brick ammunition depots, and overgrown tunnels that have slowly been reclaimed by nature. Because of its atmospheric, mysterious vibe, it has become a popular destination for hikers and photographers who often compare the ruins to the floating island in Studio Ghibli's Castle in the Sky.
Walk around the island, seeing some of these sites and also great views of the sea and islands around. While on the island, enjoy some time for a picnic lunch. After hopping back on the ferry, take another train back to Wakayama City.
Next, visit Wakayama Castle, a striking hilltop fortress originally built in 1585 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later ruled by the powerful Tokugawa clan. Climb to the top of the white three-story castle keep to explore an extensive collection of authentic samurai weapons and armor while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding city.
The expansive castle grounds also feature the beautiful Nishi-no-Maru Teien, a traditional Edo-period landscape garden known for its scenic pond and peaceful walking paths.
After a full day of exploring coastal ruins and historic castle grounds, board the train together and make your way back toward Osaka, arriving at Namba Station. Feel free to use the journey to chat with your guide about the day’s adventures, or simply close your eyes and relax on the smooth ride home.
- Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Kitan Strait to the island of Oshima
- Explore the historic Wakayama Castle and its collection of samurai armor
- Feel the atmosphere of the abandoned military bunkers on Tomogashima
- Stroll through the Nishi-no-Maru Teien Garden, a traditional Edo-period garden
- Take in panoramic views of Wakayama City from the top of the castle keep
The meeting point may vary. Always check the tickets we sent you to confirm the final details before the activity.
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
What to bring
- Camera
- Comfortable shoes
- Packed lunch
- Water
Not allowed
- Littering
Know before you go
- Food options on the island are extremely limited, so bringing a packed lunch is recommended.
- The tour concludes back in Osaka at Namba Station.
- The tour involves walking up to 20,000 steps on uneven terrain.
- The tour starts at Nankai Namba Station.
