ancient ruins
Tomogashima
An uninhabited island off Wakayama covered in overgrown red-brick Meiji-era artillery forts, tunnels and magazines. Reached by a short ferry from Kada; the batteries are linked by footpaths.
24 km · about 25 min drive
AsiaJapanWakayama
Kainan
Wakayama, Japan · Asia
About Kainan
Kainan is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Minato, 24km from Tomogashima.
Kainan is in Wakayama, Japan, with about 48,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Minato, about 9 km away.
Kainan (海南市, Kainan-shi) is a city located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 October 2021, the city had an estimated population of 48,811 in 22,129 households and a population density of 110 persons per km². The total area of the city is 101.06 square kilometres (39.02 sq mi)
Where to Stay in Kainan
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Kainan.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Kainan.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kainan?
Within an hour or so of Kainan: Tomogashima (24 km), Koyasan (Mount Koya) (35 km), Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (55 km), Adventure World (56 km).
Are there any good drives near Kainan?
The nearest famous roads are Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail and Philosopher's Path.
Where is Kainan?
Kainan is in Wakayama, Japan, about 9 km from Minato.
Road trip
Drive to Kainan
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Kainan. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 48,369
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Wakayama
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 34.1517, 135.2140
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Kainan
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Koyasan (Mount Koya)
A sacred mountaintop temple settlement and headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, where visitors can stay in temple lodgings and walk through an ancient cemetery.
35 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
World's longest suspension bridge spanning 3,911 metres across the Akashi Strait between Kobe and Awaji Island.
55 km · about 65 min drive
landmark
Adventure World
Wakayama park blending a zoo, aquarium, and amusement rides, famous for its successful giant panda breeding program.
56 km · about 65 min drive
landmark
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the world's largest public aquariums in Osaka featuring a massive Pacific Ocean tank with whale sharks.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Kainan
- 62 kmKumano Kodo Pilgrimage TrailAn ancient network of pilgrimage routes through the mountainous Kii Peninsula, one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimage trails in the world.
- 65 kmMount YoshinoJapan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 30,000 trees covering an entire mountainside in waves of pink each spring.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Kainan.
Plan a trip around Kainan
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Kainan.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.