Wakayama Nightlife Guide

Wakayama city is the gateway to the Kii Peninsula — home to Koyasan and the Kumano pilgrimage routes — and has a food culture built around the exceptional seafood of the Pacific coast. The downtown area around Wakayama Station has a solid izakaya scene, with specialty restaurants serving tuna (the nearby Nachi Katsuura port is one of Japan's top tuna landing ports), Pacific seafood, and local produce. Wakayama ramen is one of Japan's most respected regional styles — a thick, pork-soy broth that's richer and more intense than Tokyo shoyu, often served with mackerel sushi (hayazushi) on the side. Many late-night ramen shops serve until the early hours. The local sake and umeshu (plum wine, for which the prefecture is famous) are both excellent. Wakayama has a genuine, unhurried character that suits a relaxed evening of food and drinks. The combination of outstanding seafood, unique ramen, and plum-based spirits makes it a distinctive stop. Use barhop.jp to find bars and late-night dining in Wakayama.