Located in southwestern Wakayama Prefecture, Susami Town is blessed with a remarkable variety of natural scenery. Dramatic Pacific coastlines, deep mountain valleys, beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, and spectacular sunset views can be found throughout the area.
Among these many attractions, eight particularly scenic and accessible locations are collectively known as the Eight Scenic Views of Susami. Together, they showcase the distinctive beauty of the town, where the warm waters of the Kuroshio Current meet rugged coastlines and forest-covered mountains.
Each location has its own character. Some offer dramatic ocean views, while others invite visitors into peaceful forests and valleys. Several are also connected with local legends, religious traditions, and the long history of communities that have lived alongside the sea.
One of the most famous views in Susami is the spectacular Meoto-nami, or “Husband-and-Wife Waves,” seen from Lovers’ Cape.
Two rocky islands, Oki-no-Kuroshima offshore and Riku-no-Kuroshima closer to the cape, stand near each other along the rugged Karekinada coast. Powerful ocean currents strike the rocks, causing the waves to split into two streams before crashing together again.
This dramatic phenomenon is known as Meoto-nami or Gassho-nami. The sight of the waves separating and then coming together again resembles two forces meeting in nature and has become one of the defining landscapes of Karekinada.
The name “Meoto-nami” is especially interesting because the Japanese word for “husband and wife” is normally written 夫婦, while this attraction uses the unusual characters 婦夫. The powerful waves repeatedly colliding and joining again can be viewed as a magnificent work of art created by the sea itself.
The area has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Sunrise and Sunset Views in Wakayama Prefecture. At sunset, the ocean turns shades of orange and red, creating an atmospheric landscape that attracts photographers and travelers.
On the western side of Oki-no-Kuroshima is a submerged sea cave known as Gama. Local legend says that the powerful Kumano Navy, a maritime force associated with the Kumano region during Japan’s medieval period, once used the cave to hide treasure.
Today, the waters around the island are also known as a diving destination. Visitors who explore beneath the surface can experience the clear waters and rich marine environment of the Pacific coast.
On the western side of the cape that once served as an important strategic location overlooking Susami Port stands Kamiyama.
From its summit, visitors can enjoy a sweeping panorama of Karekinada, with the deep blue Pacific stretching toward the horizon and the mountains of Susami rising behind the coastline.
On clear days, sunlight sparkles across the surface of the ocean. In the evening, the sea and sky gradually turn shades of orange and crimson, creating a completely different landscape.
The summit can be reached relatively easily by car, making it a convenient stop during a scenic drive through Susami. From the viewpoint, visitors can also see Inazumi Island and Susami Port, providing an excellent overview of the town’s beautiful coastline.
Mirozu Station on the JR Kisei Main Line is known as one of Japan’s unusual “stations with a view of the sea.”
When passengers step off the train, the Pacific Ocean stretches out almost directly in front of them. Even while waiting on the platform, visitors can feel the sea breeze and enjoy the impressive coastal scenery.
At sunset, the setting sun casts a warm glow across the station and the ocean, creating a peaceful and almost dreamlike atmosphere. The slow pace of the surroundings makes Mirozu Station a relaxing place to pause during a journey through southern Wakayama.
A café called Nonbiriya is also located inside the station building, where visitors can sit back and enjoy the ocean view.
Children’s Songs Park is a relaxing viewpoint where visitors can listen to melodies from beloved Japanese children’s songs while enjoying a sweeping panorama of Karekinada and the Pacific Ocean.
The park features an open grassy area, making it a pleasant place for families to spread out a picnic on a sunny day. Sitting quietly and looking across the ocean offers a simple opportunity to slow down and escape the pace of everyday life.
The sunset from the park is particularly beautiful, and the location has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Sunrise and Sunset Views in Wakayama Prefecture. As evening approaches, the sky and sea take on warm red and orange tones, creating a romantic coastal landscape.
At the back of the park, a staircase leads toward Esusaki. Visitors can follow the path on foot and continue their exploration of the peninsula, combining a scenic walk with spectacular ocean views.
This makes Children’s Songs Park an appealing destination for those who want to enjoy both a relaxing viewpoint and a short nature walk.
Hirose Gorge, located along a tributary of the Susami River, is a beautiful valley surrounded by dense forest. More than ten waterfalls of various sizes can be found throughout the gorge, with Koto Falls located near its upper reaches.
Koto Falls drops approximately 20 meters through a lush forest landscape. The clear water, deep greenery, and quiet surroundings give the waterfall a mysterious and refreshing atmosphere, making it particularly popular during the hot summer months.
A walking trail has been developed through the gorge, allowing visitors to enjoy forest bathing while listening to the sound of flowing water and birdsong.
In spring and early summer, fresh green leaves brighten the valley. In autumn, the surrounding trees change to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
The combination of birdsong, flowing water, and the scent of the forest creates a deeply relaxing experience. The area is ideal for visitors who want to experience a quieter side of Wakayama away from the major coastal attractions.
Further upstream, the remains of a settlement traditionally associated with warriors seeking refuge during Japan’s Warring States period are said to remain. Exploring the valley therefore offers not only natural beauty but also a sense of local history and legend.
Inazumi Island is a small island regarded as one of the symbols of Susami.
According to local tradition, the island’s name is connected with the legendary eastern expedition of Emperor Jimmu. It is said that rice intended as provisions was piled on the island, giving rise to the name Inazumi.
For centuries, the island has been regarded as a sacred and mysterious place. Its dense vegetation includes warm-climate and subtropical plants, and it was once known as the northern limit on Honshu for the natural growth of the rare Ootaniwatari bird’s-nest fern.
Because of its valuable natural environment, the island has been designated a National Natural Monument.
Sanno Oji Shrine stands on the island, reflecting its long history as a place of worship. A traditional belief says that taking stones or plants from the island will bring misfortune.
Such traditions helped protect the island’s natural environment and demonstrate the close relationship between local faith and nature conservation.
The view of Inazumi Island from Susami Beach is especially beautiful at sunset. The island’s dark silhouette against the glowing Pacific has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Sunrise and Sunset Views in Wakayama Prefecture.
Shizuku Falls is a beautiful two-tiered waterfall located along the main stream of the Susami River. The waterfall has a total height of approximately 30 meters.
The upper section spreads broadly across the rock before flowing downward, while the lower section drops more forcefully into the pool below. The sound of the rushing water and the spray created by its abundant flow make the falls an impressive natural attraction.
The path leading to the waterfall is well maintained, allowing visitors to approach relatively easily and experience the surrounding wilderness at close range.
In early summer, fresh green foliage surrounds the waterfall. In autumn, colorful leaves create a beautiful contrast with the flowing water and dark rocks.
During the summer months, the clear streams also attract anglers hoping to catch ayu sweetfish and amago trout. The area is a wonderful place to experience the refreshing character of a mountain stream in southern Wakayama.
Esusaki is a land-connected island-like peninsula that projects into the Pacific Ocean and has a circumference of approximately 2 kilometers.
The area is characterized by coastal terraces formed by the uplift of an ancient shoreline. Because of its distinctive geological features, Esusaki has been recognized as a geosite within the Nanki-Kumano Geopark.
The entire area is protected as a forest belonging to Kasuga Shrine, allowing a dense, primeval-looking forest to survive on the peninsula. Warm-climate and subtropical plants grow among the trees, while vines twist around the trunks and branches.
The dense vegetation and dramatic growth of the trees create an atmosphere reminiscent of a tropical jungle. A walking trail allows visitors to explore the area while enjoying the benefits of a peaceful forest environment.
At the tip of the peninsula stands Esusaki Lighthouse. From the lighthouse area, visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the coastline and the vast Pacific Ocean.
A local tradition also warns against taking stones or plants from Esusaki. Like the traditions surrounding Inazumi Island, this belief reflects the deep connection between the natural environment and local religious culture.
The Eight Scenic Views of Susami bring together many of the qualities that make southern Wakayama so appealing: dramatic coastlines, mountains, waterfalls, deep valleys, spectacular sunsets, ancient legends, and traditional beliefs.
From the powerful waves of Lovers’ Cape and the panoramic views from Kamiyama to the peaceful forests of Hirose Gorge and the mysterious landscapes of Inazumi Island and Esusaki, each destination offers a different way to experience Susami.
Many of these locations can be incorporated into a scenic drive, hiking trip, photography tour, or relaxing nature-focused itinerary. The variety of landscapes also means that Susami can be enjoyed throughout the year, with fresh greenery in spring and early summer, refreshing waterfalls and coastal scenery in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and atmospheric sunsets throughout the seasons.
Take time to explore these scenic destinations and discover the stories behind the landscapes. The Eight Scenic Views of Susami offer a memorable journey through the sea, mountains, forests, history, and legends of this beautiful part of Wakayama.