Tanabe, Wakayama
Encyclopedia
is the second biggest city
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...

 in Wakayama Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...

, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

.

As of 2008 (after uniting the old Tanabe city with several smaller villages including Hongū, Ryūjin, Nakahechi and Ōtō), the city has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...

 of 80,398 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 of 78.3 persons per km². The total area is 1026.77 km². The city was founded on May 20, 1942.

Tanabe is on the coast and surrounded by mountains. Tanabe is the point at which the Kumano Kodō
Kumano Kodo
The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...

 (熊野古道) ancient pilgrimage road turns inland from the coast. There is a district with many bars in front of JR
West Japan Railway Company
, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 Kii-Tanabe (紀伊田辺) train station. There is a bridge to a nearby island called Motoshima. Kashima Island, off the coast of Tanabe, is closed to the general public.

Fishing is a major industry, particularly small minnow
Minnow
Minnow is a general term used to refer to small freshwater and saltwater fish, especially those used as bait fish or for fishing bait. More specifically, it refers to small freshwater fish of the carp family.-True minnows:...

-like fish called shirasu. Citrus fruits and umeboshi
Umeboshi
Umeboshi are pickled ume fruits common in Japan. Ume is a species of fruit-bearing tree in the genus Prunus, which is often called a plum but is actually more closely related to the apricot. Umeboshi are a popular kind of tsukemono and are extremely sour and salty...

 (pickled ume
Ume
Prunus mume, with the common names including Chinese plum and Japanese apricot, is an Asian tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting of East Asia, is usually translated as plum blossom. This distinct tree...

fruit) are also important to the local economy.

A major attraction is Ogigahama beach, which has recently been expanded. A nearby city, Shirahama, is famous for its artificial white beach, and Tanabe has now constructed a beach of its own in hopes of drawing more tourists. The beachfront area is the site of the Benkei Matsuri (a Yosakoi
Yosakoi
Yosakoi is a unique style of dance that originated in Japan. Yosakoi started in the city of Kōchi in 1954, as a modern rendition of Awa Odori, a traditional summer dance. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional...

 dance festival that takes place in October).

Another beach in the main city is Tenjinzaki Cape, a preserved beach made of layered slabs of rock formation. The beach is submerged with water during high tides and revealed during low tides. It is also known as the birthplace of the Japan National Trust
Japan National Trust
The Japan National Trust is an organization which works to preserve and protect the heritage of Japan.-History:In 1964, a newspaper article "Destruction of the Nature" written by novelist Osaragi Jiro described the activity of British National Trust. A foundation, "Scenic Resources Preservation...

 movement. Tenjinzaki Cape serves as a place of recreation and relaxation for citizens. People also enjoy fishing and shellfish gathering.

Within Tanabe City, there are many famous sites on the Kumano Kodō
Kumano Kodo
The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...

 ancient pilgrimage road, particularly in the Nakahechi and Hongu districts. Famous sites include Kumano Hongū Taisha
Kumano Hongu Taisha
is a Shinto shrine located in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, deep in the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. It is included as part of the Kumano Sanzan in the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". The main deity enshrined is Kumano...

 (熊野本宮大社), one of the three major Kumano Shrine
Kumano Shrine
A ' is a type of Shinto shrine which enshrines the three Kumano mountains: Hongū, Shingū, and Nachi . There are more than 3000 Kumano shrines in Japan, and each has received its kami from another Kumano shrine through a process of propagation called or...

s in Wakayama prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...

, numerous small Ōji shrines
Kumano Shrine
A ' is a type of Shinto shrine which enshrines the three Kumano mountains: Hongū, Shingū, and Nachi . There are more than 3000 Kumano shrines in Japan, and each has received its kami from another Kumano shrine through a process of propagation called or...

, and the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodō
Kumano Kodo
The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...

, approximately 65 kilometers in length Kumano Kodō
Kumano Kodo
The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...

 and covering a variety of terrain.

Tanabe City also hosts many unique hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...

. Kawayu Onsen, a hot spring
Hot spring
A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.-Definitions:...

 in the Kumano River in the Hongu district, is one example. Tourists can dig their own bathtubs next to the river during regular seasons. Between November and February, part of the river is blocked off to make a giant bathtub that can fit hundreds of guests at once. The Ryujin district is home to Ryūjin Onsen, accessible by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe station.

Takaoyama mountain overlooks the area. From the top of this mountain, you can see the cities of Minabe, Tanabe and Shirahama. Between Tanabe and Shirahama is a little-known temple called Kinkakuji (not to be confused with the famous Kinkakuji in Kyoto). Located near Takaoyama mountain is Kisetsukyo Gorge, and in the Ryujin district is Hyakkenzan Gorge, both of which feature waterfalls and walking courses.

On May 1, 2005 the village of Ryūjin
Ryujin, Wakayama
was a village located in Hidaka District, Wakayama, Japan.On May 1, 2005 Ryūjin, along with the town of Nakahechi, the village of Ōtō, both from Nishimuro District, and the town of Hongū, from Higashimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe....

, from Hidaka District
Hidaka District, Wakayama
is a district located in Wakayama, Japan. As of September 1, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 56,219 and a Density of 85.8 persons/km²...

, the town of Nakahechi
Nakahechi, Wakayama
was a town located in Nishimuro District, Wakayama, Japan.On May 1, 2005 Nakahechi, along with the village of Ryūjin, from Hidaka District, the village of Ōtō, also from Nishimuro District, and the town of Hongū, from Higashimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe.As of 2003, the...

, the village of Ōtō
Oto, Wakayama
was a village located in Nishimuro District, Wakayama, Japan.On May 1, 2005 Ōtō, along with the village of Ryūjin, from Hidaka District, the town of Nakahechi, also from Nishimuro District, and the town of Hongū, from Higashimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe.As of 2003, the...

, both from Nishimuro District
Nishimuro District, Wakayama
is a district located in Wakayama, Japan. As of September 1, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 42,840 and a Density of 98.9 persons/km²...

, and the town of Hongū
Hongu, Wakayama
was a town located in Higashimuro District, Wakayama, Japan.On May 1, 2005 Hongū, along with the village of Ryūjin, from Hidaka District, the town of Nakahechi, and the village of Ōtō, both from Nishimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe....

, from Higashimuro District
Higashimuro District, Wakayama
Higashimuro is a district located in Wakayama, Japan. As of September 1, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 43,306 and a Density of 64.8 persons/km²...

, were merged into Tanabe.

Festivals

  • Benkei Matsuri, a Yosakoi
    Yosakoi
    Yosakoi is a unique style of dance that originated in Japan. Yosakoi started in the city of Kōchi in 1954, as a modern rendition of Awa Odori, a traditional summer dance. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional...

     dance festival, featuring fireworks and dance performances by employees of local businesses as well as traveling dance groups, held in October.
  • Tanabe Matsuri, a festival held at Tanabe's Tokei jinja shrine (闘鶏神社) in July.
  • Ya-Ya Matsuri (August 8th Festival), a festival held to promote local shopping districts in downtown Tanabe City in August.

Famous people

  • Morihei Ueshiba
    Morihei Ueshiba
    was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....

    , the founder of Aikido
    Aikido
    is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...

    .
  • Benkei, yamabushi
    Yamabushi
    ' are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers. They follow the Shugendō doctrine, an integration of mainly esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon sect, with Tendai and Shinto elements...

    retainer to Minamoto no Yoshitsune
    Minamoto no Yoshitsune
    was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...

  • Edith Hanson
    Edith Hanson
    Edith Hanson is an American television personality and essayist, living in Tanabe, Wakayama, Japan. Younger sister of World War II flying ace Robert M. Hanson....

    , Television personality
  • Minakata Kumagusu
    Minakata Kumagusu
    was a Japanese author and naturalist.-Biography:Minakata was born in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. In 1883, he moved to Tokyo, where he entered the preparatory school Kyōryū Gakkō. The headmaster of Kyōritsu, Takahashi Korekiyo, encouraged Minakata in his botanical studies as well as got...

    , Japanese author and naturalist
    Natural history
    Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...


External links

in Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...

  • Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau in English
    English language
    English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

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