The shrine continues to hold traditional events celebrating whales, and the gorgeous main shrine has been designated as a Cultural Property by the Town of Taiji.

The tomb of Wada Yorimoto, who founded old-fashioned whaling in the Kumano Sea region, can be found on the grounds of Junshin-ji Temple.

The gate, which was inspired by Ihara Saikaku's work The Eternal Storehouse of Japan, was built in 1985 (and reconstructed in 1996).

The only memorial monument built during the era of traditional whaling that remains standing today. Located on the grounds of Tomyo-ji Temple.

The cave is shaped like a gate. You can still pass through it.

This site served as a relay station for communications between mountain lookouts.

You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Kumano Sea from this point, where there’s also a restoration of an old-fashioned lighthouse.

This museum in Taiji Kujirahama Beach Park, one of the few such facilities in the world to be dedicated to whales, features exhibits of a variety of materials related to the mammals in its main building. It also hosts whale and dolphin shows along with opportunities to see the animals up close, in a natural pool situated in an inlet of the ocean.

A monument depicting the tails of pair of whales greets visitors.

The tomb of Taiji Kakuemon, who was responsible for the revival of old-fashioned whaling in Taiji, is located on the grounds of Junshin-ji Temple.

This tomb was erected by the Taichi family for a whale boat crewmember named Masato.

Kajitori-zaki Point is home to a lighthouse. There’s also a whale-shaped memorial in a garden with an expansive lawn.

The Whale Dance consists of the Aya Dance, in which participants pretend decorative rods are harpoons, and the Fish Dance, in which participants catch a whale. The dance has been designated as an Intangible Folk-cultural Property by Wakayama Prefecture.

Participants in this Shinto ritual pray for safety at sea and a bountiful catch of fish. Attendees compete to grab lucky wooden charms made in the image of right whales.

The festival recreates the net-and-harpoon method of whaling practiced in Taiji Bay with a model of a whale that’s about 9 meters long and a chase boat whose role is to drive the whale into the net.

Crowds of young men carry portable shrines incorporating barrels filled with sake offerings through the town to thank the whales and pray for a bountiful catch.