Open Travel Guide
Restaurants in Wakayama

Best Restaurants in Wakayama 2026

How to eat well in Wakayama at every budget, and the local dishes you shouldn't leave without trying.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Wakayama has 32+ restaurants and places to eat covered in this guide, led by Ide Shoten, Marushige and Sohonke Mehariya. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Wakayama Prefecture occupies most of the Kii Peninsula south of Osaka, home to Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage monastery town founded by the monk Kukai in 816 CE, and the Kumano Kodo, a network of ancient pilgrimage trails linking three grand shrines deep in the mountains. Beyond its sacred sites, Wakayama offers the white-sand resort town of Shirahama, the panda-breeding Adventure World park, and Honshu's southernmost point at Cape Shionomisaki, making it a destination that blends centuries of pilgrimage culture with coastal hot springs and outdoor scenery.

Top restaurants

Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.

Wakayama ramen

Ide Shoten

¥700–1,000 ($5–7)4.3/5

Popular Wakayama ramen restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: The founding shop of Wakayama ramen's tonkotsu-shoyu style, in business since 1953 and once voted best ramen in Japan

4-chome-4-84 Tanakamachi, Wakayama, Wakayama 640-8323
Wakayama ramen

Marushige

¥700–1,100 ($5–7)4.1/5

Popular Wakayama ramen restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Late-night Wakayama ramen counter serving the tonkotsu-shoyu style with pressed-sushi side plates

B1F Sankei Kyobashi Building, 1-1 Honcho, Wakayama, Wakayama 640-8158
Kishu regional / izakaya

Sohonke Mehariya

¥1,200–3,000 ($8–20)4.2/5

Popular Kishu regional / izakaya restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Original Kishu mehari-zushi, rice balls wrapped in pickled takana leaf, alongside kushikatsu and oden izakaya fare

Bukkoji-dori, Wakayama, Wakayama 640-8137
Seasonal Japanese seafood

Mihanami

¥3,000–7,000 ($20–47)4.3/5

Popular Seasonal Japanese seafood restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Seasonal seafood restaurant known for a futomaki roll filled with eel and tuna alongside Wagyu beef courses

Wakayama, Wakayama 640-8151
Tuna sushi / seafood

Kuroshio Market Sushi Counter

¥1,000–3,500 ($7–23)4.1/5

Popular Tuna sushi / seafood restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Market-hall sushi counters inside Kuroshio Market, famous for tuna-cutting demonstrations held several times a day

1527 Kemi, Wakayama, Wakayama 640-0399
Sushi / kaiseki

Sushi Kappo Kozushi

¥5,000–12,000 ($33–80)4.5/5

Popular Sushi / kaiseki restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Ikizukuri (live-prepared sashimi) of longtooth grouper, sea bream, and abalone in a multi-course kaiseki format

Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211
Regional Kishu / seafood

Kiraku

¥1,500–4,500 ($10–30)4.2/5

Popular Regional Kishu / seafood restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Set-meal restaurant serving the Kumanoji-don rice bowl and mehari-zushi alongside nabe hot pots with wild longtooth grouper and spiny lobster

Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211
Seafood buffet / Western

Toretore-tei

¥2,000–4,500 ($13–30)4.0/5

Popular Seafood buffet / Western restaurant in Wakayama.

Known for: Family-oriented buffet with an extensive seafood and Western-dish spread, part of the Toretore Ichiba complex

851 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211

Restaurants by cuisine

Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.

Seafood

Kuroshio Market Sushi Counter

¥1,000–3,500 ($7–23)

Kiraku

¥1,500–4,500 ($10–30)

Toretore-tei

¥2,000–4,500 ($13–30)

Toretore Ichiba Market Grill

¥1,000–3,500 ($7–23)

Nigiwai Market Sashimi Stalls

¥800–3,000 ($5–20)

Engetsu-to Coastal Cafe

¥700–1,800 ($5–12)

Kii-Tanabe Waka-ura Sushi

¥2,000–5,000 ($13–33)

Shingu Kumano-gawa River Seafood

¥1,800–4,500 ($12–30)

Japanese

Mihanami

¥3,000–7,000 ($20–47)

Koya Restaurant (Koyasan Temples)

¥1,500–4,000 ($10–27)

Kissa Chikurin

¥900–2,000 ($6–13)

Arida Mikan Farmhouse Cafe

¥800–2,200 ($5–15)

Wakayama-ken Kishu Beef Yakiniku

¥3,500–8,500 ($23–57)

Nachi Falls Teahouse

¥600–1,600 ($4–11)

Tuna Specialist

Bodai

¥1,800–4,500 ($12–30)

Maguro Zanmai Nachi

¥1,500–5,000 ($10–33)

Kuroshio Ichiba Tuna Cutting Show Restaurant

¥1,200–3,800 ($8–25)

Vegetarian

Koyasan Shukubo Shojoshin-in Dining Hall

¥15,000–25,000 ($100–168) per person including overnight stay

Saizen-in Shojin Ryori

¥13,000–20,000 ($87–134) per person including overnight stay

Jokiin Shojin Ryori

¥13,000–19,000 ($87–127) per person including overnight stay

Wakayama Ramen

Ide Shoten

¥700–1,000 ($5–7)

Marushige

¥700–1,100 ($5–7)

Wakayama Station Ramen Alley Stall

¥650–1,000 ($4–7)

Kaiseki

Kamenoi Hotel Nachikatsuura Restaurant

¥5,000–12,000 ($33–80)

Shirahama Onsen Ryokan Kaiseki Dining

¥6,000–14,000 ($40–94)

Kumano Regional

Katsuragi

¥1,200–3,000 ($8–20)

Yunomine Onsen Tsuboyu Dining

¥2,500–7,000 ($17–47)

Cafe

Koyasan Choza Coffee & Gomadofu

¥500–1,400 ($3–9)

Kishu Regional

Sohonke Mehariya

¥1,200–3,000 ($8–20)

Regional Kishu

Wakayama-jo Otemon Izakaya

¥2,200–4,500 ($15–30)

Sushi

Sushi Kappo Kozushi

¥5,000–12,000 ($33–80)

Umeboshi

Kishu Umeboshi Kan (Umeo-en)

¥800–2,500 ($5–17)

Dining etiquette & tips

Navigate the local food scene confidently.

Tip

Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.

Tip

Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.

Tip

Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.

Food budget guide

What to expect at different price points.

Level Price Description
Budget $5-15/meal Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants.
Mid-range $15-40/meal Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus.
Upscale $40+/meal Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences.

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