Not Just Cape Shionomisaki! 9 Fascinating Tourist Spots in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture

Kushimoto Town, located at the southernmost tip of Wakayama Prefecture, is home to a variety of natural attractions centered around Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost cape of Honshu. In addition to its natural beauty, there are also many historical sites. Here, we’ll introduce nine tourist spots in Kushimoto, ranging from the classic must-sees to deeper, lesser-known gems.

1. Cape Shionomisaki – Monument of Honshu’s Southernmost Point Monument of Honshu’s Southernmost Point

Cape Shionomisaki, the southernmost point of Honshu, is not only a landmark of Kushimoto Town but also one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Kinki region, attracting many visitors.

The area, registered as part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park and the Nanki-Kumano Geopark, was originally an island but later became connected to the mainland by a sandbar.

The sunset viewed from Cape Shionomisaki is so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the “100 Best Sunsets in Japan,” making it highly recommended to visit in the evening. Be sure to spend an elegant moment watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon at Cape Shionomisaki.

2. Shionomisaki Lighthouse

Shionomisaki Lighthouse is, naturally, the southernmost lighthouse on Honshu and is often visited in combination with a trip to Cape Shionomisaki. This white lighthouse, completed in 1870 (Meiji 3), was designed by Richard Henry Brunton, a British engineer known as the “Father of Japanese Lighthouses.”

It is also registered as a top-class preserved lighthouse of high historical and cultural value, and more details can be seen in the permanent exhibition room on site. Due to its location, many ships pass offshore, and the lighthouse has long illuminated passenger and trade vessels. You can also climb to the top for a stunning view of the vast Pacific Ocean. The sunset from the observation deck is also highly recommended.

3. Hashigui-iwa Rock Formations

Hashigui-iwa is another iconic tourist spot in Kushimoto Town! This group of more than 40 unique rocks stretches about 850 meters into the sea. While the coastline around Cape Shionomisaki is known for its rough waves and eroded rocks, nowhere else are such formations so evenly aligned.

The sharp, towering rocks that seem to pierce the sky are truly overwhelming. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the rocks are beautifully illuminated, evoking a sense of nature’s mystery. During low tide, you can even walk out to the middle of the formation toward a rock called Benten Island! It’s recommended to check the tide chart before visiting.

4. Kushimoto Marine Park

Kushimoto Marine Park is known as the first marine park ever established in Japan. The aquarium inside displays around 500 species and 5,000 specimens of marine life found in the seas around Kushimoto. It’s also fascinating that the aquarium is composed exclusively of species native to the local sea. The sea turtle corner is also very popular, where visitors can enjoy feeding them and more.

The underwater observation tower located outside allows you to peek into the seafloor 6.3 meters deep. Depending on the weather, especially on calm, sunny days, you’ll witness a wide expanse of a marine-blue world.

Sunlight streaming in, beautiful natural coral, and tropical fish swimming around—it's truly a paradise-like scene! Sometimes schools of horse mackerel or rudderfish also swim by, so if the timing is right, it’s an unforgettable experience! There is also a semi-submersible sightseeing boat, so be sure to enjoy that as well.

5. Memorial Monument for the Turkish Naval Shipwreck

This is a story from September 16, 1890 (Meiji 32). The Turkish warship Ertuğrul, navigating off the coast of Kushimoto, sank due to the impact of a typhoon. The 69 survivors who barely made it to Oshima in Kushimoto Town were taken in and cared for in a temple, school, and lighthouse. They received emergency treatment from the locals and were kept alive until they could be transferred to a hospital in Kobe.

However, 587 people tragically lost their lives without ever reaching land. To honor those who perished, the “Monument for the Turkish Naval Shipwreck Victims” was erected.

6. Turkish Memorial Museum

Built in 1974, the “Turkish Memorial Museum” exhibits artifacts and memorabilia from the aforementioned Ertuğrul warship disaster, including detailed explanatory panels and models. From the observation deck on the second floor, visitors can see the site where the Ertuğrul ran aground.

After the tragedy, the survivors who received treatment in Kobe returned to the Ottoman Empire the following year. The warm response of the people of Kushimoto and the swift action of the Japanese government became well-known in Turkey, strengthening the friendship between Japan and Turkey. Today, Turkey is still regarded as one of the most pro-Japanese countries in the world. The museum also displays items gifted by the Turkish government, making it a meaningful place to visit during your trip to Kushimoto to witness the bond between the two nations.

7. Umikongō (Sea Kongō)

“Umikongō” is another scenic landmark representative of Kushimoto Town. Its name comes from Mount Geumgang (Kumgangsan) on the Korean Peninsula, and it features an array of sharp, towering rocks of various sizes rising from the sea surface.

The sight of crashing waves breaking violently against the reefs is truly breathtaking. This majestic view was selected as one of the “Top 100 Natural Sites in Japan to Preserve for the 21st Century.” The surrounding dense growth of ubame oak trees and other flora adds to the area's secluded, mystical atmosphere.

8. Japan–U.S. Amity Memorial Hall

Did you know that Americans arrived in Japan even before Commodore Perry’s arrival? In fact, 62 years before the arrival of the Black Ships in Uraga, in 1791, the American merchant ships Lady Washington and Grace had already reached Kushimoto Town. The captains, John Kendrick and Robert Gray, had planned to cross the Pacific and sell furs in Canton, stopping by Japan along the way.

The U.S. national archives’ Massachusetts Maritime History records the events of the time, but since there was no contact with the shogunate or feudal domains and only trade negotiations with local residents took place, it has not been treated as a major historical event.

However, in 1975, Kushimoto Town built the “Japan–U.S. Amity Memorial Hall,” which displays models of the Lady Washington and related materials, as well as a diorama recreating the scenes from their stopover. If you visit during your sightseeing in Kushimoto, you’ll surely gain insight into a part of Japanese history not found in textbooks.

9. Muryoji Temple

Last on our list is Muryoji Temple, a Zen temple of the Rinzai school. Known as the southernmost temple on Honshu, Muryoji’s main attraction is the Dragon and Tiger painting by Nagasawa Rosetsu.

The tiger, depicted with such dynamic energy it seems about to leap out, leaves a strong impression. In addition to Rosetsu, known as a genius of the mid-Edo period, the temple features around 100 artworks from the Muromachi to Edo periods, including works by Maruyama Ōkyo.

The temple grounds are lush with greenery and located in a quiet area, making it an ideal place to relax and recover from sightseeing fatigue.

◎ Let’s Explore Kushimoto, the Southernmost Town on Honshu!

We’ve introduced nine tourist spots in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture.

After enjoying the ocean and unique rock formations around Cape Shionomisaki, don’t miss the Dragon and Tiger paintings at Muryoji Temple! A visit to the Turkish Memorial Museum and the Japan–U.S. Amity Memorial Hall will also give you a glimpse into the warm human connections of the past and deepen your understanding.

Why not take a trip to Kushimoto Town, the southernmost point of Honshu in Wakayama Prefecture?