A cultural and culinary adventure in Kushimoto, the southernmost point of Japan’s main island
The southern part of the Kii Peninsula boasts a breathtaking ria coastline. The mighty Pacific currents and the complex topography of the place have given rise to abundant marine life that have provided livelihoods to the local population. The area around the town of Kushimoto at the southern tip, which includes the Shionomisaki cape, offers an endless stream of stunning scenery—undeniably one of the region’s major attractions. A two-day trip here will allow you to savor the regional cuisine and experience local culture while cruising around the coast.
So many ways to enjoy the sea
You’ve chosen to stay at the Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kushimoto, which offers stunning ocean views overlooking the island of Kii Oshima. It feels like the perfect base for exploring the Kii Peninsula.
09:00 Shin-Osaka Train Station
12:00 Kushimoto Marine Park
13:45 Lunch at Flood
15:15 Kanayama Observation Deck
16:20 Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kushimoto
18:00 Dinner at Kushimoto Shunsai Ohashi
Day 1 Total Distance: 237.8km
Day 1 Total Travel Time: About 4 hours
You’ve decided to first make a stop at Kushimoto Marine Park, one of the area’s most iconic spots. Here, you can get an up-close look at the marine life that thrives in the Kuroshio Current that travels along Japan’s southern coast. Then, after learning about Kushimoto's unique marine ecosystem, you plan on heading to a scenic lookout—the Kanayama Observation Deck. Naturally, you’ve picked out a great restaurant where you can enjoy some fresh seafood, too.
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You pick up your rental car at Shin-Osaka Station and head south through Kii Peninsula to discover the food and culture of Kushimoto.
Kushimoto Marine Park: A kaleidoscopic seascape just beyond human habitation
A window into the wild world under the sea
Kushimoto Marine Park is known as the first registered marine life theme park in Japan. Blessed by the Kuroshio Current, the waters here are warm and exceptionally clear, giving visitors a close-up view of a myriad of marine life, including what’s generally regarded as the largest coral reef on the coastline of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
There is a 24-meter-long (79-foot-long) underwater tunnel that passes through the home of approximately 500 fish, with sharks and rays swimming leisurely overhead. It’s a far more immersive experience than you’d imagined. About 140 meters (150 yards) offshore, there is an “undersea observation tower” that descends to a depth of around 6.3 meters (20 feet), giving visitors a chance to see with their own eyes what life looks like beneath the waves.
The colorful tapestry of fish and coral is so close to you that it takes your breath away. Seeing this vibrant aquatic ecosystem exist just a stone’s throw from where people live is truly awe-inspiring.
Leaving Kushimoto Marine Park, you head for lunch. The buildings around the harbor give you a real sense of the lives of the local population and how rooted they are in the sea.
Flood: Multiethnic fare in a Japanese port town
A real local establishment that welcomes everyone
For lunch, you choose Flood, a restaurant near the fishing port that serves tacos and other fare from America’s multiethnic food scene. You tend to seek out local specialties when you’re traveling in Japan, typically opting for seafood and other Japanese dishes, but sometimes you just crave something different.
You order the chicken over rice lunch set, which comes with a drink; you decide on muscat juice. You add a meat taco as well, pushing your appetite to the limit. The taco is packed with meat and vegetables. Everything is super tasty and certainly hits the spot.
The owner, a Mr. Yoshida, tells you that he gets a mixed clientele. “Students do come in, but there just aren’t that many here in Kushimoto. Maybe that’s why we get a lot of older customers, too." It’s clear that the multiethnic cuisine he offers is popular with all ages, and the restaurant has obviously become an integral part of the town.
Kanayama Observation Deck: Views over Kushimoto
A land of plenty, from the sea to the hills
With your appetite more than satiated, you decide to get some exercise, so you head for the Kanayama Observation Deck on the island of Kii Oshima. After parking in the free parking lot next to the community firehouse, you climb the approximately 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) hiking trail to the lookout, which is at an altitude of 80 meters (262 feet).
The townscape of Kushimoto and the plateau of Cape Shionomisaki unfurl below you. In the distance, you’re greeted with views of Mt. Nachi and the town of Taiji. From this vantage point, it’s much clearer that Kushimoto is a land of rich seascapes and landscapes.
Heading back to your accommodation for the night, you cross Kushimoto Bridge, admiring the contrast of its white structure against the azure of the ocean. You feel a sense of freedom, like you’re a bird flying over the sea.
Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kushimoto
After you arrive, you decide to relax by chatting with the friendly staff and admiring the scenic Hashigui-iwa sea stacks just off the coast. A leisurely stroll around that area is on your itinerary for tomorrow morning.
Per Night Per Room from ¥15,730
Ohashi: A taste of local seafood with rare fish delights
A sashimi platter full of catches from the Kuroshio Current
For dinner, you settle on Kushimoto Shunsai Ohashi, a restaurant located near the fishing harbor. The proprietor, a Mr. Ohashi, is passionate about the region’s seafood—particularly anything from around Kushimoto. He has a word for any fish he deems to be delicious: iggyo—“exceptional fish.” It doesn’t matter if it’s farmed or wild, famous or unknown. Sometimes he catches the fish on the menu himself, serving rare treats that aren’t available from the local market.
You order the Assorted Sashimi Platter of the Day. It is a masterpiece of fresh seafood, the precise contents of which varies depending on the season and availability of ingredients. In every bite, you enjoy the rich umami and sweetness of the fish, its meaty flesh having been nurtured by the Kuroshio Current.
