Day 1: Enjoy the bounty of the sea in the Ashizuri area
- Not just bonito! Enjoy the local specialty, Shimizu mackerel, at Ashizuri Kuroshio Market
- Learn while enjoying the ocean at Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI
- Admire the strange rock formations at Tatsukushi Marine Park
- Experience the roundness of the earth. Cape Ashizuri, a spectacular spot representing Kochi
- Retreat to an ocean view inn "Asizuri Thermae"
Day 2: Enjoy the clear waters and historic streets of Shimanto
- Take a photo at the iconic Shimanto River landscape of Sada Submerged Bridge
- Eat Takachi's famous bonito dishes at the "Kurei Taishocho Market"
- "Sagawa Town Aoyama Bunko" and the historic castle town. Stroll through the historic streets
- Take a stroll through the scenic Nakatsu Valley, which is also designated as a prefectural natural park.
- Stay at the hot spring inn "Nakatsu Valley Yunomori," convenient for exploring the Nakatsu Valley
Day 3: Experience the gourmet food and history of Kochi City
- Start your morning off right at Nishinaka Shoten. Experience Kochi's morning culture
- Head to the waterfall basin "Nikobuchi" where you can see the crystal clear "Niyodo Blue" water
- Discover your favorite local Kochi gourmet food at Hirome Market
- Visit the famous castle "Kochi Castle" built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo
- Be soothed by vibrant plants at the popular Makino Botanical Garden
Day 1: Enjoy the bounty of the sea in the Ashizuri area
The Ashizuri area is located in the southwest of Kochi Prefecture, close to Kyushu and Oita Prefecture on the opposite shore. It takes about three hours by car from Kochi Ryoma Airport, so we recommend renting a car. The area is rich in nature, with dynamic scenery from Cape Ashizuri and seafood nurtured by the warm Kuroshio Current that flows through the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the great outdoors and food that Kochi is proud of.
12:00 It's not just bonito! Enjoy the local specialty, Shimizu mackerel, at Ashizuri Kuroshio Market
First, fill your stomach. Ashizuri Kuroshio Market is located right next to Shimizu Port, one of the most famous fishing ports in Kochi Prefecture. This restaurant, where you can dine while watching the fishing boats come and go, offers a menu of fisherman's dishes and local cuisine using fresh seafood as ingredients.
One of the special dishes that can only be found here is the "Mackerel Bukkake Rice Bowl," a fisherman's dish that can't be found anywhere else, topped with their signature sauce and dashi.
Kochi is famous nationwide for its bonito, but in fact, Tosashimizu catches a lot of mackerel, so popular that it has been given the name "Shimizu mackerel." Mackerel spoils quickly, and it is rare to have the opportunity to eat it raw, so you can enjoy fresh mackerel dishes that are unique to a fishing port town.
On days when there is no mackerel in stock, "Muneda-bushi Fisherman's Chazuke" is also popular.
Of course, in addition to mackerel, all the other fresh seafood, such as seared bonito, is also delicious.
In addition to the restaurant, the store also sells processed foods made from fish caught in nearby waters, as well as a wide range of other items perfect for souvenirs, such as sweets from Kochi. It's a great place to stop by for a break during your drive.
Ashizuri Kuroshio Market
| address | ： | 932-5 Shimizu, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0880-83-0151 |
| business hours | ： | 8:30～16:30 Lunch hours: 11:00-14:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Once a week (days may vary) |
| access | ： | Approximately 3 hours by car from Kochi city 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Shimantocho Chuo IC Approximately 1 hour by bus from Nakamura Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway / Approximately 45 minutes by car |
| web | ： | http://www.ashizuri.jp/index.htm |
| Travel time | ： | Approximately 1 hour |
Approximately 20 minutes by car
13:30 Learn about the ocean at Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI
Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI is an adventure museum of the sea and nature. This aquarium, which reopened in July 2020, is a spot where you can experience many exciting things, such as huge aquariums, ingenious exhibition methods that allow you to experience nature, and the beautiful Tatsukushi Bay that spreads out before the facility.
Inside the museum, you can see about 350 species and 15,000 creatures, mainly those living in Tatsukushi Bay. Starting with creatures from the virgin forest area, there are plenty of exhibits to see, including freshwater fish, otters, sea turtles, and the large Tatsukushi Bay aquarium where schools of various fish that live in the waters of Tatsukushi swim.
If you visit here, you should definitely check out the permanent exhibit of sea slugs, which are difficult to keep in captivity. The small tanks lined up in a dimly lit space create an atmosphere reminiscent of a museum. Take your time to observe the sea slugs, also known as the jewels of the sea.
If you have time, we recommend taking a walk along the seaside near the facility. You can spend a peaceful time watching the clouds drifting leisurely across the vast sky.
Ashizuri Oceanarium SATOUMI
| address | ： | 4032 Misaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0880-85-0635 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00～17:00 |
| closing day | ： | none |
| Fee | ： | Adults: 1,200 yen, Children (elementary school to high school students): 600 yen |
| access | ： | (By car) From Nakamura Station, take National Route 321 (Ashizuri Sunny Road) and drive for about 45 minutes. From Sukumo Station, take National Route 321 towards Tosashimizu for about 45 minutes. (In case of route bus) ・Get off at the Kochi Southwest Bus stop "Tatsukushi Kaiyokan-mae" |
| web | ： | https://kaiyoukan.jp/index.html |
| Travel time | ： | Approximately 1 hour |
Approximately 10 minutes by car
15:00 Enjoy the view of strange rock formations at Tatsukushi Marine Park
After enjoying the soothing sea creatures, you can refresh your whole body by bathing in the sea breeze. Tatsukushi Marine Park is the first park in Japan to be designated as a national park in the Chugoku region. The coastline is lined with strangely shaped rocks and beautiful landscapes that have been carved by years of exposure to the wind and waves, and the unique scenery has made it a popular scenic spot.
The Tatsukushi Coast near the park features a 15m-tall giant rock and a rock formation that looks like bamboo, both large and small, stretching out towards the sea. You'll be captivated by the impressive beauty of the formations.
You can also explore Minokoshi Coast, which is said to have been left behind by Kobo Daishi because it is too difficult to reach on foot, by boarding a glass-bottom boat. Enjoy admiring the strange rock formations as if you were touring a work of art.
Tatsukushi Marine Park
| address | ： | Tatsukushi, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0880-85-0137 （NPO竜串観光振興会） 0880-82-3155（土佐清水市観光協会） |
| access | ： | 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Shimantocho Chuo IC on the Kochi Expressway |
| web | ： | http://tatsukushi-kankou.com |
| Travel time | ： | Approximately 1 hour |
Approximately 40 minutes by car
16:30 Experience the roundness of the Earth. Cape Ashizuri, a spectacular spot representing Kochi
Cape Ashizuri is located at the southernmost tip of Shikoku. Below you can see the deep blue ocean and white waves crashing against the cliffs, and from the observation deck on the cape jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy a 270-degree panorama. Once again, you will be able to feel the roundness of the earth.
Also, the 16m-high Hakusan Cave near the Cape Ashizuri Lighthouse is a natural monument of Kochi Prefecture. It is one of the largest granite sea caves in Japan, and is a popular photo spot.
Cape Ashizuri and the view from Cape Ashizuri have been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Burn this world-renowned spectacular view into your mind and soul.
Cape Ashizuri
| address | ： | Cape Ashizuri, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0880-82-3155（土佐清水市観光協会） |
| access | ： | 1 hour 50 minutes by car from Shimantocho Chuo IC on the Kochi Expressway 20 minutes by car from Tosashimizu city |
| Travel time | ： | Approximately 20 minutes |
Approximately 10 minutes by car
18:30 Retreat to an ocean view inn "Asizuri Thermae"
For your first night's accommodation, head to Ashizuri Therme, located on top of a mountain with a spectacular view of Cape Ashizuri. Surrounded by the magnificent nature of the national park, this resort hotel allows time to flow peacefully and leisurely. The building blends in with nature, with a beautiful appearance that makes you feel as if the night sky and twinkling stars are part of the design, instantly putting visitors in the mood for vacation.
All of the hotel's guest rooms have ocean views, and there are spaces for each guest to relax and unwind, including sky view rooms that open wide to the sky and deluxe rooms with private saunas.
Also, if you stay in a dome tent at the adjacent luxury glamping facility, "Dot Glamping Asizuri Terme," you'll be able to feel your mind and body being liberated just by surrendering yourself to the passing of time.
Fall asleep gazing at the twinkling stars in the sky and wake up to the soft rays of the morning sun... Even if you don't do anything special, Ashizuri, a place where magnificent nature remains, will provide you with a memorable retreat experience.
Ashizuri Therme・Dot Glamping Ashizuri Therme
| address | ： | 1433-3 Higashihata, Ashizurimizu-shi, Tosashimizu-shi, Kochi Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0880-88-0301 |
| business hours | ： | Check-in: 15:00-18:00 Check-out: 10:00 the next day |
| access | ： | (By car) 2 hours 50 minutes from Kochi City via the Shikoku Odan Expressway/Kochi Expressway and National Route 56 (If you are not traveling by car) There is no shuttle service. Please come by taxi or on foot. About 30 minutes on foot from Cape Ashizuri |
| web | ： | Ashizuri Thermae: https://ashizurithermae.com/ Dot Glamping Ashizuri Terme: https://dotglamping-ashizurimisaki.com/ |
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
