Learn 'Why Tuna in Katsuura?' on Your Nachi Falls Access Day | A Notebook for Enjoying Nachikatsuura's Tuna Lunch Through the Port's Backstory

On the day you visit Nachi Falls, many people naturally think, "Since we're here, let's have tuna for lunch." But before choosing from the menu, knowing a little about "why tuna in Katsuura?" will deepen the flavor of every bite. In this article, following the flow of nachi falls access (how to get to Nachi Falls), we gently preview the backstory of this port town's tuna culture.

The waterfall and the port sit at opposite ends of the same day

To reach Nachi Falls, the basic route is to take a bus from Kii-Katsuura Station up into the mountains. The station area sits close to the sea, and within a few dozen minutes you arrive at the mountainside approach, so the scenery shifts dramatically from the air of the port to the sound of mountain waters.

Since specific bus stops and schedules change by season, please check the official information before you set out. The key point here is that the departure point for the waterfall is itself a tuna port town. Mountain errands and seaside feasts line up along the same station as their axis.

Why is Nachikatsuura a tuna town?

Deep-sea fishing and port history

Katsuura has long been known as a port town deeply tied to tuna fishing. The Kumano-nada Sea, close to the Kuroshio Current, is blessed with migratory fish. As a result, it developed as a port where fishing boats come and go, and a culture of tuna wholesalers and eateries took root.

The character of enjoying it "fresh"

One feature often mentioned about Katsuura tuna is the pride in tuna arriving in a fresh (non-frozen) state. Even now that freezing is standard, many shops here offer the kind of freshness unique to a port town, making it a place where "the meaning of eating it locally" is easy to feel.

Since taste differences also depend on personal preference, the right mindset is something like "eating while searching for the differences." The firm aroma of lean red meat, the sweetness of the fat, the springiness as you bite — just chatting with your companions about what you notice makes the meal more enjoyable.

Before or after the waterfall | Where to place lunch

• Eat before the waterfall: Fuel up at the port, then head up the mountain. Since you'll walk stairs and slopes afterward, a portion that isn't too heavy is safer.
• Eat after the waterfall: Wrap up your post-hike fatigue and hunger with a feast at the port. Allow some buffer time around your return bus so you can dine calmly.

Either works — choose based on crowds, your energy, and your return transport. Popular shops can have lines at midday, so shifting your timing slightly is recommended.

English memo for visitors

For those searching nachi falls access, a simple plan is to start at Kii-Katsuura Station, take a bus to the Nachi area, and return to town for a tuna lunch. Katsuura is known as a tuna port, so "akami" (lean), "toro" (fatty) and "zuke" (soy-marinated) are good words to remember when ordering.

Summary | The waterfall's sound and the port's bustle in one day

Access to Nachi Falls is easy to plan with Kii-Katsuura Station as your base, and it connects naturally to lunch in the port town. Just knowing a little about why Katsuura is a tuna town transforms your meal from "just lunch" into "time spent tasting the land." Touching water in the mountains, receiving the sea's bounty at the port — that round trip is what makes a day truly feel like Nachikatsuura.

*Please note that business days, menus, and bus schedules may change. Check each official source before heading out.*

Image: 那智の滝と三重塔 (via (公社)和歌山県観光連盟)