Doro-kyo Gorge Boat Cruise

Doro-kyo Gorge sits about 125 km east of Wakayama City near the Nara border, reached in roughly three hours by JR Limited Express Kuroshio to Shingu Station, followed by a thirty- to forty-minute bus or taxi ride to the Shiko or Doro-hatcho boat dock; the jet-boat and sightseeing-boat cruises through the gorge operate March through November and do not run in winter. A late-morning arrival allows time to board a cruise through Japan's largest gorge, where the Kumano River cuts a steep, forested ravine lined with sheer rock faces and pools of clear turquoise water; the open-topped jet boats cover the gorge in about ninety minutes, while the slower sightseeing boats take longer and offer a quieter ride. Lunch is best taken at the small restaurants near the Shiko or Doro-hatcho dock before or after the cruise, many serving river fish and mountain vegetables. Given the roughly three-hour train ride from Wakayama City to Shingu, this is one of the longest day trips in the prefecture, and an overnight stay in Shingu or nearby Kii-Katsuura is often more comfortable than a rushed same-day round trip. April and May bring fresh green foliage to the gorge walls, while October and November color the hillsides in autumn red and gold; visitors should confirm the current sailing schedule before travelling, since departures can be reduced in low water or bad weather.