Wakayama Pref. boasts the largest production of mandarin oranges in Japan. Among them, Arida City, which has a history and tradition of over 400 years, is nationally famous for its sweet and delicious “Arida mandarin oranges”.

Fixed net fishing is conducted almost every day except Saturdays at Oi Fishing Port. The fish caught in fixed nets are abundant, and are sorted by species and size before being auctioned. Among them, the largest catch of a scabbard fish in Japan is landed throughout the year. Visitors can observe the process from the sorting to the auction, which is not usually seen, and enjoy the bustling fishing port scenery. After the auction, visitors will experience making "Arida-specific sushi" using green mandarin orange juice at a guest house in Arida city.

A long-established culinary inn founded in 1903 (Meiji 36). You can enjoy seasonal seafood caught locally in the traditional Japanese tatami room dining. It's a historic inn alongside the Arida River where you can savor the cuisine of each season. In spring, taste hairtail dishes; in summer, sweetfish cuisine; in autumn, pike conger kaiseki meals; and in winter, grouper hot pot, all made with freshly caught local ingredients.

"Matsubayashi INN" is a culinary inn located very close to the sea in Hatsushima-cho , Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture. Near the inn, there is a fishing port, making this area a treasure trove of fresh seafood caught in the local Kii Channel. If you ever crave truly delicious fish, please do not hesitate to visit "Matsubayashi INN." You can also experience making sushi nigiri. Traveling with your beloved dog can further deepen the bond between pet and owner. We welcome small dogs, providing cages and the essential amenities for a worry-free stay; feel free to bring your favorite items from home.

Located in the Masago Valley in the western part of Itoga-chou, the temple was originally called Masago-dera and once had a complex of seven halls, but declined and was revived during the Ninpei era (1151-3). Although it is an ancient temple, it is currently without a resident monk and houses ancient statues such as the main Yakushi Nyorai statue (from the late Heian period or Kamakura period), as well as statues of Amida and Kannon in a small hall. Additionally, it is home to the city-designated cultural asset, the Tobatsu Bishamonten statue (from the Kamakura period). The temple grounds are adorned with hydrangeas and white wisteria trees. The "Ninpei-ji temple", beloved as the Hydrangea Temple, welcomes the peak bloom of hydrangeas in early June, with approximately 1,000 hydrangea bushes in full bloom on the grounds. Local caretakers nurture potted hydrangeas and display pressed hydrangea flowers.

In the year 747 (Tenpyou 19), during the Nara period, the Minister of the Right, Fujiwara no Toyonari and his wife prayed at Hase-dera temple and gave birth to Princess Chuujou. When the princess was 3 years old, her mother, Murasaki no Mae, passed away, and when she was 7, her father, Toyonari, took Teruyo no Mae as his second wife. As the princess grew, she became exceptionally beautiful, intelligent, and excelled in everything she did. This led her stepmother to grow resentful, and at the age of 13, she secretly ordered a retainer named Ito Harutoki to assassinate the princess at Mount Hibari-yama in Kii Province. However, Harutoki was moved by the princess's virtue and instead called his wife from the capital to protect and raise the princess. Three years later, in the year 761 (Tenpyouhouji 5 ), Toyonari returned from a hunting trip and tearfully reunited with the princess. However, at the age of 17, she shaved her head and took the name Hounyo at Taima-dera temple, where she also wove the famous Taima Mandala. In the year 775 (Houki 6), on the 14th day of the second month, she was welcomed by 25 bodhisattvas and closed her tumultuous life at the age of 29. At Tokushou-ji Temple, every year on the princess's memorial day, which falls on May 14th, a special ceremony called the Raising Ceremony is held. During this event, elementary school students dress up as the 25 bodhisattvas and parade from the Founder's Hall to the Main Hall, a valuable tradition that offers insight into ancient Buddhist culture.

Souwa Orchard is a company established by local mandarin orange farmers in 2000, and it is dedicated to all aspects of mandarin orange production, from cultivation (primary industry) to processing (secondary industry) and sales (tertiary industry), known as the "6th industry of mandarin oranges." While taking on the challenge of cultivating fully ripe mandarin oranges, they meticulously hand-peel and strain the oranges during processing, and carefully extract the pulp. One of their flagship products, mandarin orange ponzu "Mikapon," is made by combining 100% mandarin orange juice with citrus fruit juices such as yuzu, tangerine, and kumquat, and then gently finishing it with soy sauce from Shodo Island and local vinegar. It is free from animal-derived ingredients and can be widely used as a sauce for salads, carpaccio, grilled meat, dumplings, and takoyaki. The company's headquarters also houses a directly managed store where customers can enjoy shopping while receiving advice from staff and sampling the products.

The mandarin orange cultivation in the Arida region is a traditional agriculture that has been passed down for over 400 years in a natural environment with many mountain forests and few harvests from flat fields. It is considered one of Japan's agricultural heritages. The terraced mandarin orange fields along the Arida River, especially those near the summit of Yamadahara, provide a picturesque view during the harvest season when the mountains turn orange and offer a splendid panoramic view of the Arida River estuary and Arida City.

Arida City is an area with a high number of tourists visiting the fish market in Wakayama, serving as a home port for small-scale boat bottom trawling, Seto Inland Sea boat bottom trawling, and single-line fishing. The city boasts a yearly landing of over 300 fish species, with the Tachiuo fish being the top catch, not only in the prefecture but also in Japan. The "Minoshima" brand, in particular, is well-known. At Minoshima fishing port, a fleet of yellow "Utase-sen" boats returns around 3 p.m., with numerous carts waiting at the port to transport fresh fish for auction. The vast area is equipped with large facilities and ample parking, easily accessible within about an hour from Osaka and Kansai International Airport. The locally cherished "Hama no Utase" direct sales and dining facility, named with the heartfelt thoughts of local fishermen, is open within the Minoshima fishing port.

The Ooi Area of Arida City faces the Kii Channel and is a thriving town having abundant fishery resources. Traditional octagonal net fishing using fixed nets is carried out from early morning, with men heading out for fishing. Arida City is known for having the highest catch of hairtail in Japan, including Minoshima Fishing Port, and hairtail, known as "taccho" or "Kishu Kinotachi," is a high-class fish. At Ooi Fishing Port, boats return before dawn, and the caught fish are auctioned off. This area serves as a base for large fixed net fishing and drift net fishing, with the octagonal fixed nets known for their feature of causing minimal damage to the fish, resulting in the capture of beautiful fish.

"Ito Farm", a specialty store in Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture, offers Arida mandarin oranges and citrus products. Established in the mid-Meiji era, it is a historic farm with a name that was affectionately known as "Funabayashi," originating from the captain of a mandarin orange transport ship. Starting as a mandarin orange wholesaler, it now collaborates with contract farmers to produce high-quality mandarin oranges and citrus fruits, as well as processed products. Their pride, including "100% pure juice," jellies, marmalades, and jams, is made with love, while also focusing on new initiatives while preserving tradition. The direct shop "Mikan no Ki" is a unique old folk house shop created by renovating a mandarin warehouse. Inside, you'll find Ito Farm's additive-free juices and processed products, as well as seasonal fresh citrus fruits. The most popular juice includes a variety of citrus fruits such as Wenzhou mandarin oranges, ponkan, Kiyomi, iyokan, and hassaku. Additionally, they hold seasonal events such as glamping in the mandarin orange orchard.

The Yabitsu area is a small seaside port town known as the mysterious land of Arida, where the blue sky, white houses, and beautiful sea create a landscape reminiscent of Italy's Amalfi Coast. This area, surrounded by the sea and mountains, is like a hidden retreat, offering stunning cafes and enjoyable city walks. With a history dating back to the early Edo period, the Yabitsu area has preserved the traditions of the Kishu Tokugawa family for over 400 years, making it worth visiting sites such as "Yabitsu Ebisu Shrine" and "Nanryu Shrine", which enshrines the first feudal lord. In recent years, the opening of the "Kurashicharu Yabitsu" relocation experience facility has brought new vitality, making it a hub for activities such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and showcasing wall art at the port.