Kushimoto (串本町 Kushimoto-chō) is a small coastal town in Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. It is a useful base for exploring and enjoying the activities of the prefecture's extreme south. In relation, the town sits on the southernmost point of Japan's main island of Honshu, which serves as tourist attraction itself.
The town is served by Kushimoto Station (串本駅 Kushimoto Eki).
From Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama, the quickest way to reach Kushimoto is via limited express train, either on the Kuroshio (くろしお), Super Kuroshio (スーパーくろしお), or Ocean Arrow (オーシャンアロー) services. Cheaper but slower train service is also available and will require one or more transfers. Both express and local services go via the JR Hanwa Line (阪和線), directly connecting to the JR Kinokuni Line (きのくに線), which is also sometimes labeled as the JR Kisei Line (紀勢線). Total fare from Wakayama City via limited express is ¥4170 (about 2hr 10min) and via local is ¥2520 (about 3 hr 40 min).
Insider's Tip: on Kushimoto bound trains, ask for a seat on the right side (右側 migi-gawa) of the train to ensure unobstructed views of the coast. Moreover, a viewing car open to all passengers is available on all Ocean Arrow trains.
From Nagoya, the best way to reach Kushimoto via train is through the limited express Nanki (南紀) leading to Kii-Katsuura Station (紀伊勝浦駅), then transferring to a local train bound for Kushimoto or Kii-Tanabe Station (紀伊田辺駅). This costs ¥9470 and takes about 4hr 30min. Local train travel from Nagoya is not recommended.
Train services run roughly once per hour from the big cities. All lines are run by JR, and Japan Rail Pass holders are covered when riding them.
Driving is a viable (and highly recommended) option, and it will be very useful to have a car when exploring the area. From Wakayama City onward, take the tolled Hanwa Expressway (阪和自動車道) southbound for Shirahama (白浜). Exit at Nanki-Tanabe Interchange (南紀田辺IC), which is the last exit, and get on Route 42 bound for Shingu (新宮) following it all the way to Kushimoto. Driving time from the exit is about 2½ hours.
From Nagoya, follow the Higashi Meihan (東名阪自動車道) and Ise Expressways (伊勢自動車道) to get to the Kisei Expressway (紀勢自動車道). Exit at Omiya-Odai Interchange (大宮大台IC), which is the last exit, and get on Route 42 bound for Shingu (新宮) following it all the way to Kushimoto. Driving time from the exit is about 6 hours.
Once off the expressway, the route has many winds and turns and follows the coast very closely, and at some points it's quite a steep drop to the ocean, so use extreme caution when driving especially in bad weather. During the summer months, the expressways and Route 42 are heavily traveled by beach-goers coming from the Osaka area, particularly on weekends and holidays. this causes lengthy delays, as the roads are not meant for heavy traffic.
The nearest airport is Nanki-Shirahama Airport in the town of Shirahama (白浜) about 2 hours away. There are daily flights to/from Tokyo-Haneda Airport, but international routes are not served. Take a bus to Shirahama Station (白浜駅) take one of the limited express trains mentioned above to get into town.
The nearest international airport is Kansai International Airport. Take a train or limousine bus to Wakayama Station (和歌山駅) and transfer onto one of the limited express trains mentioned above to get into town.
Anything in Central Kushimoto is easily accessible by foot, however the more interesting attractions outside town will not. Taxis are available at Kushimoto Station.
Local road conditions in town vary widely; steep, narrow, windy, unpaved, or all of the above combined are common traits. Car-navigation is highly recommended, if not necessary. Major roads are:
Though the local Kushimoto dialect (串本弁 Kushimoto-ben) shares many traits with the bigger, regional Kansai dialect (関西弁 Kansai-ben), it naturally has its own unique peculiarities. Locals claim that their dialect remains very close to the language spoken in Nara- and Heian-period Japan. If you have a decent command of Japanese, you might consider using some of the following phrases to score some laughs, brownie points, or maybe even a free beer with the locals:
Other standard Kansai phrases should also get some smiles out of people.
Hashigui Beach. 2015-12-10
Hashigui-Iwa Rock Formations (橋杭岩), 33.4847°, 135.796553°. A legendary set of rock formations that stretch out sea for about 850 meters, and is pretty much ingrained into the town's identity to both locals and visitors. Free 2015-12-10
Turkish Memorial and Museum (トルコ記念館), 33.46912°, 135.8580771°. As the signs outside Kushimoto JR Station proclaim, Kushimoto is the official "Town of Japanese-Turkish Friendship." This proud history began in 1890, when the Turkish frigate Ertugrul crashed on the rocks off O-shima Island during a typhoon, after visiting Yokohama to conduct talks between the rising Empire of Japan and the declining Ottoman Empire. The museum is small and its information is only in Turkish and Japanese, but there is a good collection of artifacts and photographs and from an outdoor terrace, you can see the rock which sent more than 500 Turkish sailors to a watery grave. Don't miss the nearby Turkish souvenir stand, which serves delicious Turkish ice cream and boasts (probably) the only Turkish person in Wakayama Prefecture! 2015-12-10
Japan-US Friendship Hall (日米修交記念館 Nichibei Shūkō Kinenkan), 33.4618207°, 135.850103°. 09:00-16:00. A museum commemorating the first actual arrival of an American ship in Japan—the USS Lady Washington in 1791—taking place decades before Commander Perry's more famed 19th-century landing. Also houses a small collection of memorabilia of the town's American Sister City (Hemet, California). Exhibits have English-language recordings and materials. ¥250 2015-12-10
Kashinozaki Lighthouse (樫野埼灯台 Kashinozaki Tōdai), 33.4716763°, 135.8596067°. Japan's oldest stone lighthouse and is still in use. Also known for being the home of an Englishman who tended to the area, planting daffodils that continue to bloom to this day. Free 2015-12-10
Koza (古座町 Koza-chō), 33.5156341°, 135.8268919°. This town was independent until 2005 and continues to maintain its own identity. The scenery along the waterway that bisects the town, the Koza River, is quite picturesque. 2015-12-10
Kuroshima and Taijima, 33.504447°, 135.825628°. 2015-12-10
Kushimoto Big Bridge Park (串本大橋公園 Kushimoto Ōhashi Kōen). Small park with a wooden overlook structure allowing for views of Kushimoto Harbor and the channel between Cape Shiono-Misaki and Oshima. Free 2015-12-10
Kushimoto Marine Park (串本海中公園 Kushimoto Kaichū Kōen), 33.480861°, 135.744972°. 09:00-16:30PM daily. See the local sea life through its underwater exhibit built underwater and through a glass bottomed boat ride. ¥2400
Mt. Kasane (重畳山 Kasane-san). A high peak. The park at the summit has a playground and has a breathtaking overlook of Kushimoto Harbor, the Kushimoto Big Bridge, Oshima Island and more. A popular destination for day-hikers and BBQ parties. Free 2015-12-10
Okyoro Art Museum (串本応挙芦雪館 Kushimoto Ōkyoro Setsukan), 33.4704347°, 135.7781626°. 09:30-16:30. This art museum prides itself as being Japan's smallest. Houses a fine collection of "India-ink" paintings. ¥1000, student discounts available 2015-12-10
Oshima Port (大島港 Ōshima-kō), 34.6866738°, 139.4369938°. The site of the annual Boat Race Festival is not much to look at, but it offers an amazing view of Kushimoto Harbor and the rest of the mainland, and the mountains that background everything else. The road to get here is semi-treacherous. Free 2015-12-10
Shiono-Misaki Southernmost Point Park (本州最南端の地 Honshū Sainan Hashi no Chi). 08:30-16:30. A grassy area that denotes the southernmost point of Honshu and serves as the festival grounds for the annual Fire Festival. Nearby watchtower offers views of the area. Watchtower admission ¥300 2015-12-10
Shiono-Misaki Lighthouse (潮岬灯台 Shiono Misaki Tōdai), 33.4375651°, 135.7532327°. 09:00-16:00. Built in 1873 and at 19.55 meters, this Meiji-era lighthouse served as an important marker for ships entering Osaka Bay. ¥150 2015-12-10
Shichikawa Dam (七川ダム Shichikawa Damu), 33.597822°, 135.6953382°. Recreational area popular during the cherry blossom viewing season with spectacular views. 2015-12-10
Umikongo Rock Formations (海金剛 Umikongō), 33.465167°, 135.854639°. Rock formations taking on strangely recognizable shapes, such as pyramids and lion masks. Declared in 1983 by Asahi Shimbun newspaper as one of Japan's 100 Most Important Natural Treasures for the 21st Century. 2015-12-10
The Kushimoto Coral Communities, designated as a protected wetlands by the 2005 Ramsar Convention, encompasses 574 hectares (3.4 sq mi) and is home to numerous species of coral and waterfowl. Numerous dive shops along Route 42 offer dive tours and rentals.
As with most small Japanese towns, many businesses (especially restaurants) do not take credit cards. Be on the safe side and secure enough cash before heading into town.
That said, people with cards issued in Japan may be able to use ATMs these local banks:
Major international currencies may be exchanged at the Kushimoto Post Office (串本郵便局 Kushimoto Yūbin Kyoku), located just off of Route 42 near the Lawson Convenience Store in Central Kushimoto. They may not be able to exchange large sums of money (over ¥50,000).
As the case with the rest of Japan, most local post offices have ATMs that take major international cards and have English menus.
The following towns can be easily explored as day trips from Kushimoto:
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division