The Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri are home to tourist attractions such as the Shimanto River, Hakusan Shrine, and Sasayama, tourist events such as the Shimanto River Ultra Marathon, Daimonji Fireworks Festival, and Shimanto Noryo Fireworks Festival, and local delicacies such as bonito tataki, bonito flakes, and sweet potato fries.
The Shimanto River, which has no dam in the mainstream, a rarity in Japan, is also called "the last clear stream in Japan. It is also one of the three clearest rivers in Japan, and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best-kept secrets and one of the 100 best waters.
Because the river is wide, there are a number of long sunken bridges, creating a unique landscape. The Sada Chinka-bashi Bridge, in particular, has no parapet, giving visitors the strange sensation of moving on water, and attracts many tourists throughout the year.
The Shimanto River is home to fireflies and other creatures that can only be seen in clean water, and at the Shimanto City Dragonfly Nature Park, water flowers such as water lilies bloom from season to season, and more than 70 species of dragonflies can be seen.
If you want to enjoy outdoor life to the fullest in the great outdoors, the hands-on lodging facility "Shimanto Rakusha" is recommended. Try snorkeling or rafting on a handmade raft.
After enjoying the river, a drive to the sea is also refreshing. At Cape Ashizuri, one of the area's most famous tourist attractions, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean. As the southernmost point of Shikoku, the vast expanse of ocean stretching far into the distance is a sight to behold.
At the tip of the cape is the Ashizuri-misaki Lighthouse, one of the largest lighthouses in Japan, which still protects the safety of ships passing offshore. The area was the first in Japan to be designated as an underwater park, and the Ryukushi Underwater Park has been established.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing underwater walk on a semi-submersible underwater observation boat and see the colorful coral reefs unique to the warm waters of the Kuroshio Current. One of the highlights of the area is the Hakusan Cave, a gigantic cave that was bored through by rough seas and has often been used for filming on location.
Gourmet food is just as you would expect, with both river fish and seafood available. Local cuisine using plenty of shrimps from the Shimanto River, green laver, and fish freshly caught in set nets offshore is very popular.
Shimizu mackerel, whose fatty flesh is likened to that of toro (fatty tuna), is one of the local specialties, and is a must-try. Shimizu's B-class gourmet nabeyaki ramen is also slowly gaining attention.
The Shimanto River is the largest river in Shikoku with a total length of 196 km. There are sightseeing boats along the Shimanto River. Ayu (sweetfish), mullet, black sea bream, sea bass, and other fish can be caught frequently....»
Located in Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, Tatsugushi Bay, home to coral and gorgeous tropical fish, was designated as Japan's first underwater park in 1970. The water temperature is high at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius even in winter, and the transparency is stable, attracting many divers from all over Japan throughout the year. The Ryukushi Coast is a geological museum, with rare rocky landscapes s...»
Connected to land by a bridge, this resource-rich island attracts divers from all over Japan. There are also ocean cruise boats and glass boats for those who want to enjoy the sea to the fullest. Odou Beach and Monkey Park are also nearby....»
The southernmost cape in Shikoku, with a white lighthouse towering over the cliffs where the rough waves of the Kuroshio Current break on the shore. The gently arcing horizon reminds us of the roundness of the earth.The lighthouse stands on a 70-meter cliff. Around the lighthouse, there is a promenade and observatory through a warm-temperate forest of camellia and Japanese umbrella oak trees, an...»
The venue is Irino Beach and Irino Pine Barrens. There are no buildings, and the nature of the 4-km-long beach and pine barrens is used as a single art museum. Here, the sea, the beach, and the blue sky are the works of nature as they are. Creative events are held throughout the year, including a T-shirt art exhibition in May and a drift exhibition in October....»
This used to be eaten on new year’s eve of the luna calendar. The name “toshikoshi meshi” turned to “koshi meshi” later. It is enjoyed during this time of year because it is the season of unprocessed nori seaweed. The flavor and fragrance can be fully enjoyed. Unprocessed nori seaweed is called menori in this area. People wore sashiko (quilted) cotton clothes on cold days of winter, went into the ...»