Shingū (新宮市 Shingū-shi) is a city located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1933. As of May 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 32,288, with 16,003 households and a population density of 126.41 persons per km². The total area is 255.43 km2 (98.62 sq mi). Shingū literally means 'New Shrine' and refers to Hayatama Shrine, one of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano (See). The 'old shrine' would be Kamikura Shrine. Shingū is the central commercial city of the Kumano Region in Japan where Shingū Station is situated, and is one of the largest cities in Wakayama Prefecture. It is a sister city to Santa Cruz, California. Each Spring, The City of Santa Cruz sends about 14 middle school/ high school delegates to visit Shingū and to interact with the Japanese society. On October 1, 2005 the town of Kumanogawa (from Higashimuro District) was merged with Shingū.