Wakanoura is the most atmospheric coastal part of Wakayama, a district of low hills, tidal water, small shrines, and views that have been praised in Japanese poetry for centuries. It is less tidy than a formal scenic garden, but that is part of its appeal.
Look for Tamatsushima Shrine, Furobashi Bridge, and the viewpoints around the bay. The area rewards slow wandering more than checklist sightseeing, especially late in the day when the water and roofs catch the light.