Hashigui-iwa Rocks are one of the most remarkable natural landmarks in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on the southern coast of the Kii Peninsula. More than 40 rocks of various sizes stand in an almost perfectly aligned row for approximately 850 meters from the coast of Kushimoto toward Kii-Oshima Island. The unusual formation looks as though the stone pillars supporting a giant bridge have been ...»
Takinohai is a spectacular natural site along the Ogawa River, a clear mountain stream flowing through Koza-gawa Town in southern Wakayama Prefecture. The area is famous for its extraordinary combination of a waterfall, countless natural potholes, and unusual rock formations carved by the river over thousands of years. For approximately 200 meters, the river flows across a broad bedrock surface f...»
Kushimoto Marine Park Aquarium, located in Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture, is a unique marine attraction where visitors can experience the rich underwater world surrounding the southernmost part of Japan's main island, Honshu. The waters around Kushimoto are strongly influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, creating an exceptional marine environment where temperate and subtropical species l...»
Kushimoto Marine Park is a renowned marine recreation and educational facility located in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated within Yoshino-Kumano National Park, the facility is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and offers visitors many different ways to experience the rich marine environment of Kushimoto. In 1970, the area became Japan’s first designated Ma...»
Shionomisaki Cape, located in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, is famous as the southernmost point of Japan's main island, Honshu. Extending into the Pacific Ocean from the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula, the cape is surrounded by dramatic natural scenery and an endless ocean horizon. Standing at the southernmost point of Honshu offers a unique sense of place. With no...»
The Kushimoto Marine Park Underwater Observation Tower, located in Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture, is a popular attraction where visitors can experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean up close. Built approximately 140 meters offshore, the observation tower offers a unique opportunity to look into the underwater world from a depth of 6.3 meters. Through the observation windows, visitors can...»
Shionomisaki Tourist Tower stands on Cape Shionomisaki in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located near the southernmost point of Honshu, Japan’s main island, it is one of the area's most popular places to enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding natural landscape. From the observation deck, approximately 100 meters above sea level, visitors can e...»
Takachiho no Mushikui-iwa Rock is a spectacular natural landmark in Ikenoyama, Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan, this enormous rock formation rises approximately 60 meters high along Wakayama Prefectural Route 227. The surface of the towering rock is covered with countless holes, creating an unusual appearance that resembles a giant rock that ...»
Kozagawa Monolith, known in Japanese as Kozagawa no Ichimai-iwa, is one of the most spectacular natural landmarks in Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan, this enormous rock formation rises dramatically beside the clear waters of the Kozagawa River. Approximately 100 to 150 meters high and 500 to 800 meters wide, the rock is considered one of the ...»
Kushimoto Okyo Rosetsu Art Museum is a small but remarkable art museum located in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, at the southernmost tip of Japan's main island of Honshu. The museum stands within the grounds of Muryo-ji Temple, a historic Zen temple with a strong connection to the renowned Edo-period painter Nagasawa Rosetsu. Although modest in size, the museum houses an impressive collecti...»
Ueuwo Falls and Hario Falls are two spectacular waterfalls hidden deep in the mountains of Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located in the Matsune area in the northern part of the town, the waterfalls lie along the upper reaches of the Kozagawa River, which originates around Mount Otō. Surrounded by dense forests, clear mountain streams, and dramatic rock formations, these waterfalls offer a c...»
The Turkey Memorial Museum stands at Kashinozaki on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located near the historic Kashinozaki Lighthouse overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the museum preserves the story of the long-standing friendship between Japan and Turkey. The museum focuses on the Ertugrul Frigate disaster of 1890, one of the most significant episodes in the history of rela...»
Umi Kongo is a spectacular scenic destination on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located within Yoshino-Kumano National Park, it is one of the most impressive natural attractions in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula. The area around Takanosu Cape on the southern coast of Kii-Oshima is characterized by towering cliffs and massive rock formations rising dramatically f...»
Kashinosaki Lighthouse stands dramatically on the cliffs of Cape Kashino, at the eastern tip of Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture. First lit in 1870, it is widely recognized as Japan's oldest surviving stone lighthouse. For more than 150 years, the lighthouse has quietly guided ships sailing across the Pacific Ocean. Its white structure stands against the deep blue sea and rugge...»
Hashigui Beach is a popular seaside destination in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy beautiful ocean scenery alongside one of the area's most spectacular natural landmarks, Hashigui-iwa Rocks. The beach is located next to Hashigui-iwa, a famous scenic attraction in Kushimoto. From the shoreline, visitors can enjoy views of Kii-Oshima Island and the Kushimoto Ohashi Bri...»
Myōjin Submersible Bridge, located in the Myōjin district of Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a rare and fascinating bridge that reflects the close relationship between the local community and the natural environment of the Kozagawa River. The bridge is approximately 90 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Its simple structure blends quietly into the gentle river landscape, creating a nostalgic...»
Kushimoto Marine Park, located in Kushimoto Town in southern Wakayama Prefecture, is famous as Japan’s first designated marine park. The area is home to beautiful coral communities and a remarkably diverse marine ecosystem influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current. Among the park’s most popular attractions is the semi-submersible sightseeing boat Stella Maris. Riding the Stella Maris gives visitors...»
Roadside Station Ichimai-iwa Monolith is a popular roadside station in Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located directly in front of the famous Kozagawa no Ichimai-iwa, a gigantic natural rock formation designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan, the station offers spectacular views of one of the region’s most impressive geological landmarks. The facility is more ...»
Shionomisaki Lighthouse stands on Cape Shionomisaki in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located at the southernmost point of Japan's main island of Honshu, the historic lighthouse rises above the Pacific Ocean, where the blue sea and sky create a spectacular backdrop for its brilliant white tower. Since its official illumination in 1873, Shionomisaki Lighthouse has helpe...»
Roadside Station Kushimoto Hashigui-iwa is a popular tourist destination in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Located along National Route 42 in the southernmost area of Honshu, Japan's main island, it is an ideal stop for travelers exploring the southern Kii Peninsula. The roadside station is approximately a seven-minute drive from JR Kushimoto Station and can also be reached on foot. Its con...»
Shichikawa Dam, located in Kozagawa Town in Wakayama Prefecture, is a beautiful dam surrounded by the rich natural scenery of the upper Kozagawa River. It was built where the Kozagawa, Hirai, and Soeno Rivers meet and was completed in 1956 as part of a comprehensive development project for the Kozagawa River basin. The dam was constructed for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. It w...»
Roadside Station Mushikui-iwa is located in Ikenoyama, Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, directly in front of the spectacular Takachi Mushikui-iwa Rock, a designated National Natural Monument of Japan. Serving as one of the gateways to Kozagawa Town, the roadside station provides tourist information while also functioning as a community hub where visitors can discover local specialties, fresh a...»
Muryo-ji Temple, located in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a historic Zen temple belonging to the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Tucked away along a quiet street in the town center, the temple offers a peaceful atmosphere where visitors can experience the spirit of Zen while discovering some of the most important works of Japanese art from the Edo period. The t...»
Kuroshima Island and Taijima Island are two beautiful islands located approximately 1 kilometer offshore from the mouth of the Koza River in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Visible from areas along National Route 42, these distinctive islands rise from the waters of the Kumano Sea and have long captured the imagination of travelers. Their striking scenery is closely con...»
Roadside Station Takinohai Taro's Shop Note is a small roadside station surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape of Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is located immediately beside Takinohai, a designated Natural Monument of Wakayama Prefecture and one of the area's most fascinating natural attractions. The facility was renovated and reopened in summer 2025, becomin...»
Shio-no-Misaki Shrine stands at Shionomisaki, the southernmost point of Japan's main island of Honshu, in Kushimoto Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Located near the Pacific Ocean and just beyond the famous white Shionomisaki Lighthouse, the shrine is surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery, powerful ocean winds, and a vast open sky. For centuries, people living along this coast ha...»
Kushimoto Ohashi Bridge is a striking bridge connecting the mainland of Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture with Kii-Oshima Island. The bridge officially opened on September 8, 1999, finally providing a road connection that local residents had long hoped for. The bridge connects the mainland near Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost point of Honshu, to Kii-Oshima via Myogajima Island. Before its...»
The Turkish Warship Ertuğrul Memorial Monument stands at Kashinozaki on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Overlooking the beautiful Kumano Sea, this memorial commemorates one of the most tragic maritime disasters in the history of Japan-Turkey relations and, at the same time, the remarkable friendship that grew from it. In 1890, the Ottoman Empire’s naval frigate Ertuğrul ...»
Kushimoto Town, located in Higashimuro District in southern Wakayama Prefecture, is famous for being home to the southernmost point of Japan's main island, Honshu. The town faces the vast Pacific Ocean, and its dramatic coastline, warm climate, rich marine environment, and fascinating history make it one of the most distinctive destinations on the Kii Peninsula. The most famous landmark is Cape S...»
Kozagawa Town is a beautiful mountain town in Higashimuro District, southern Wakayama Prefecture. Located deep within the Kii Peninsula, the town is surrounded by extensive forests, rugged mountains, and clear rivers. The Kozagawa River, which flows through the center of the town, is the heart of the local landscape. Its remarkably clear water has earned it the nickname “Crystal River,” and the r...»
The Nanki-Kumano Geopark Center is an information and learning facility located in Shio-no-Misaki, Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, at the southernmost point of Japan's main island, Honshu. Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, the center introduces the fascinating geological history and natural wonders of the Kii Peninsula through engaging, hands-on exhibits. The Nanki-Kumano Geopark, officially re...»
Japan-U.S. Friendship Memorial Hall is a municipal museum located at Kashinozaki on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The museum commemorates an important but lesser-known chapter in the history of relations between Japan and the United States. While many people associate the beginning of Japan-U.S. relations with the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's “Black Ships” in 1...»
Tenchugan Rock is a spectacular natural rock formation located in Aise, Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Rising almost vertically beside the Kozagawa River, this enormous rock has a striking appearance that seems to reach toward the sky. Its distinctive shape is the reason it is known as “Tenchugan,” meaning “Heaven-Pillar Rock.” Surrounded by lush green mountains, the massive rock rising stra...»
Kochijima Island is a small island in the middle reaches of the Kozagawa River in Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. For generations, the island has been deeply revered by people living along the Kozagawa River. Locally, the island is affectionately known as “Kōttama” or “Kōottama,” and the island itself is regarded as a sacred object of worship. About three kilometers ups...»
The Former Lighthouse Keeper's Residence at Kashinozaki Lighthouse is a rare historic building located at the eastern tip of Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Standing on a dramatic coastal landscape overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the building forms part of the historic Kashinozaki Lighthouse complex and offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan's rapid modernization during t...»
Mount Dakenomoriyama is a beautiful twin-peaked mountain in Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, southern Wakayama Prefecture. Located directly across the Kozagawa River from the famous Ichimai-iwa Monolith, a National Natural Monument, the mountain is one of the area's most popular destinations for hiking and trekking. The mountain consists of two distinctive peaks: Otake (376 m) and Metake (369...»
Nakatsudani Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Nakazaki, Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It lies along the Ogawa River, a tributary of the Kozagawa River, and is regarded as one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area. The waterfall has a total height of approximately 93 meters and descends in seven distinct tiers. Water cascades down the rocky mountainside ...»
Takaike Gomeisha is a historic building in the Takaike district of Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is an important reminder of the traditional community culture that developed along the Kozagawa River. The organization known as Gomeisha was established as a young men's association during the Meiji period (1868–1912). Local young men organized the group to preserve tra...»
Kozagawa Prefectural Natural Park stretches mainly across Kozagawa Town in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. The park is known for its beautiful river valleys, enormous rock formations, rugged mountain landscapes, and rich forests. Along the Kozagawa River and its tributaries are a remarkable collection of unusual natural features, including the enormous Ichimai-iwa Monolith, the towerin...»
Asaki Shrine (Asaki Jinja) is a historic Shinto shrine located in Izumo, Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated on the eastern side of Cape Shionomisaki, near Izumo Fishing Port, the shrine has long been an important place of worship for the local community. The shrine stands in a peaceful coastal setting where visitors can feel the sea breeze from the Kumano-nada Sea. Surrounded by the na...»
Kii-Oshima Island is a beautiful island located off the coast of Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Situated approximately 1.8 kilometers from Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost point of Japan's main island of Honshu, it is the largest island in Wakayama Prefecture. The island covers approximately 9.68 square kilometers and has a coastline of about 28 kilometers. Thanks to the warm waters of...»
Renshoji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple located on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Situated just offshore from the southernmost town on the Kii Peninsula, the temple stands amid the island's lush forests and coastal scenery. For centuries, Renshoji has been closely connected with the life of the island and its people. Its history is closely tied to the m...»
The Former Kanda Family Villa, known as Tosontei, is a beautifully preserved historic building in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Built during the Meiji period, the residence retains many features of traditional Japanese architecture and tells a fascinating story about the history, prosperity, and community spirit of Kushimoto. The villa was built by the Kanda family, one of the most promine...»
SPACE PORT Kii is Japan's first privately operated rocket launch site, located on the Uragami Peninsula in the Tahara area of Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture. Part of the facility extends into the neighboring Uragami area of Nachikatsuura Town. Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, the site takes advantage of its remote coastal location and the open sea to the south and east. It represents a new cha...»
Space Interaction Hall Sora-Miru is an interactive museum in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, where visitors can discover the fascinating world of rockets, space exploration, and astronomy in an easy and entertaining way. Opened in April 2025, the facility was created around the concept of “Bringing Space Closer to Everyone.” Designed for visitors of all ages, Sora-Miru offers hands-on exhibi...»
Arafune Coast is a spectacular scenic area on the eastern edge of Kushimoto Town in Wakayama Prefecture. Located along the rugged coastline of the Kumano-nada Sea, the area is part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park and is known for its dramatic rock formations shaped by the powerful waves of the Pacific Ocean. For thousands of years, wind and waves have gradually carved the coastline, creating a st...»