Wakayama is situated in the southwestern part of Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula in Japan. It enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year, with little snowfall in winter. It has rich natural resources, as the 650 km-long coastline is closely lined with thick green forests and mountains.

Kii Peninsula has been known as sacred sites of Shintoism and Buddhism since old days; it houses the three principal Shinto shrines dedicated to the Kumano deities and the Buddhist temple on Mt. Koya founded by the high priest Kukai in the 9th century.

Wakayama has active forestry mainly of Japanese cedar and cypress, and cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers. The prefecture is ranked first in Japan in the production of plums, persimmons and hassaku oranges. It is also a major production center of mandarin oranges, along with Ehime Prefecture. Wakayama’s fishery is also active, boasting a catch of cutlass fish and Ise lobsters that is among the highest in Japan. Katsuura Port is Japan’s largest fishing port of tuna. Wakayama’s manufacturing industry occupies a large percentage of its prefectural gross product, well above the national average. Basic material manufacturing industries, such as petrochemical and iron and steel, also have large shares.

Wakayama has many hot springs, including Shirahama, one of the oldest hot spring representative of Japan, as well as Katsuura and Ryujin, which feature abundant water. With such tourist assets, Wakayama is expected to serve as a “healing spot” where people can recharge themselves and feel enriched spiritually. In 2004, Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, which border on Mie, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures, were designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.