Kushimoto Between Coast and Coral Sea

Kushimoto is considered the southernmost town on Honshu. The municipality reveals different sides of the Pacific: striking coastlines, designated wetlands, glimpses of the underwater world, as well as museums and local cuisine. When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth first considering whether you mainly want to explore coastal landscapes, marine experiences or culture.

Coastlines, Rocks and Wetlands

Hashiguiiwa is a national natural monument: powerful waves have shaped pillars of rock there, which are especially striking at sunrise and dusk. A local legend tells how Kōbō Daishi and Amanojaku built the rocks in a single night after making a bet. The Arafune Coast stretches for three kilometres along the Kumano Sea; its unusual rock formations are part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park.

At the tip of Shionomisaki lies Bōrō no Shiba, a grassy area covering around 100,000 square metres. Facing the Pacific, the cape is considered a particularly scenic spot where you can experience the curvature of the Earth. Kushimoto’s coastal waters also hold a special distinction: they are recognised as internationally important Ramsar wetlands. These include the Sabiura Coast area, covering 355 hectares; the western coastal area of Shionomisaki, covering 205 hectares; and the northern coastal area of Tsuyajima, covering 13.7 hectares.

The seas to the east and west of Kushimoto have different characteristics. If you want to experience an island and rocky coastline, Soshima offers opportunities for fishing and activities along the rocky shore; the island is also considered a symbol of Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The approximately one-kilometre walking trail from the Kanayama starting point leads to a viewpoint on Ōshima at an altitude of 80 metres. From there, the view extends over Kushimoto and the Shionomisaki plateau to Nachisan and Taiji. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Underwater Views and Discoveries

At the Kushimoto Marine Park aquarium, blue sharks and spotted eagle rays swim above visitors through a 24-metre-long underwater tunnel. The underwater observation tower offers a different perspective: it is located 140 metres offshore, where you can observe the seabed at a depth of 6.3 metres. From the underwater excursion boat Stella Maris, you can see what is described as the world’s northernmost population of table corals. The municipality also has numerous diving and snorkelling shops offering activities around the coral sea.

Those interested in how the landscape was formed can learn more about the nature and landscape of South Kumano at the Nanki Kumano Geopark Center. Offerings include projection mapping on a large relief model of the Kii Peninsula, interactive geological exhibits and river experiments led by staff. In Kushimoto, experiences on and under the water sit alongside activities that turn your attention to the geological connections.

Art, History and Local Cuisine

The Okyosekkankan at Muryōji Temple displays 96 paintings from the Muromachi, Momoyama and Edo periods, including works by Maruyama Ōkyo and Nagasawa Rosetsu. The collection also includes finds from the Kasajima archaeological site. The Turkish Memorial Museum is dedicated to the disaster involving the ship Ertuğrul and displays a model, relics and photographs related to it.

Daiyūmarutei restaurant also combines food with local history. It is housed in a more than 100-year-old building, the birthplace of Okin Shū. The village head at the time played a central role in the rescue following the 1890 disaster involving the Turkish warship Ertuğrul. The menu features local fish dishes made with branded fish farmed in Kushimoto, such as Kishu Ume Madai and Kishu Ume Kue, as well as freshly landed seafood, including spiny lobster, tuna and bigfin reef squid.

Visitors can also experience Kishu Ume Madai, a branded sea bream raised using plum vinegar extract, during a feeding session. For Kase fishing in Kushimoto Bay, a toilet boat is secured with a rope next to the aquaculture cages. The bay is considered calm for this activity and suitable for families, women and older people. During another feeding session, visitors can get close to a grouper over a metre long that has been raised for more than ten years.

Getting Around and Choosing the Right Base

Municipal buses include the Wasemi Line towards Kushimoto Marine Park, the Shionomisaki–Izumo Line to Shionomisaki Lighthouse and Bōrō no Shiba, and the Ōshima Line to Kushimoto Ōshima and Kashino Lighthouse. The Sabe–Uetahara Line heads towards Hashiguiiwa and Kōza. Bus routes and timetables may change; check the latest information before travelling. You should also check opening hours and the conditions for activities such as Kase fishing in advance.

When looking for a holiday rental in Kushimoto, it helps to decide on your main focus first: coastal landscapes, observing marine life or culture will lead to different ideas for your days. Then compare the specific location of your accommodation with the places you want to visit. Discover more destinations: Nachikatsuura, Taiji.

For the overview of the wider area: Higashimuro District.