National Parks · Kochi, Ehime

Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park

足摺宇和海国立公園あしずりうわかいこくりつこうえんAshizuri-Uwakai Kokuritsu Kōen

Granite cape, coral shallows and the ria coast of the Uwa Sea

Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park protects the coast of south-western Shikoku, from the granite headland of Cape Ashizuri in Kochi to the ria coast of the Uwa Sea in Ehime. Designated in 1972, it is known for its coral communities, clear water and the southernmost temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Area: 113.45 km²National park · 1972

Overview

Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park stretches along the south-western corner of Shikoku, one of the most remote parts of Japan's four main islands. In Kochi Prefecture it takes in Cape Ashizuri, the sandstone coast of Tatsukushi and the islands of Kashiwajima and Okinoshima; in Ehime it follows the drowned coast of the Uwa Sea with its peninsulas, fishing villages and aquaculture rafts, and reaches inland to the granite gorge of Nametoko.

The Kuroshio Current sweeps close to Cape Ashizuri, bringing warm, clear water and tropical sea life far north. The area's underwater scenery was recognised early: Tatsukushi was among Japan's first marine park zones in 1970. The coast was designated a quasi-national park in 1955 and, with the Uwa Sea added, raised to national park status on 10 November 1972.

On land, the park is a landscape of the Shikoku pilgrimage: Kongōfuku-ji on Cape Ashizuri, temple 38, lies at the end of the longest stage of the 88-temple circuit.

Landscape and formation

Cape Ashizuri is carved from granite intruded some 14 million years ago, when volcanic activity accompanied the opening of the Sea of Japan and the rotation of south-west Japan. Waves have cut the rock into cliffs around 80 m high, caves and the natural arch of Hakusan Dōmon.

West of the cape, at Tatsukushi and Minokoshi, layers of sandstone and mudstone have been sculpted by wind and water into honeycomb weathering, pillars and hollows. Further north the Uwa Sea coast is a classic ria: sunken valleys between long, narrow peninsulas such as Yura and Nishiumi, with sheltered inlets ideal for aquaculture. Inland, the Meguro River has cut the smooth granite channel of Nametoko Gorge.

Highlights

Cape Ashizuri
足摺岬Ashizuri-misaki
The southernmost point of Shikoku, with granite cliffs, a white lighthouse and a tunnel of wild camellias.
Tatsukushi and Minokoshi
竜串Tatsukushi
Sandstone shore of strange erosion forms, and offshore coral gardens viewed from glass-bottomed boats.
Kashiwajima
柏島Kashiwajima
A small island linked by bridges, famous for water so clear that boats seem to float in the air, and for a great diversity of fish.
Ōdō Coast
大堂海岸Ōdō Kaigan
Tall sea cliffs at Ōtsuki, seen from an observation platform or by boat.
Nametoko Gorge
滑床渓谷Nametoko Keikoku
A granite river valley in Ehime with smooth rock beds and the Yukiwa waterfall.
Sotodomari
外泊Sotodomari
A fishing village on the Nishiumi Peninsula enclosed by tall stone walls built against wind and waves.

Ecology

Warmed by the Kuroshio, the waters off Ashizuri and Kashiwajima support reef-building corals and tropical and subtropical fish at a latitude where temperate species also thrive, making the area one of the richest diving locations in mainland Japan. On land, evergreen forest of camellia, chinquapin and evergreen oak covers the cape, and the coastal cliffs carry endemic plants adapted to salt spray.

Flora

Ashizuri chrysanthemum
アシズリノジギクashizuri nojigiku
A wild chrysanthemum of the coastal cliffs of south-west Shikoku, flowering white in late autumn.
Japanese camellia
ヤブツバキyabutsubaki
Forms a tunnel over the paths of Cape Ashizuri, flowering red in winter.
Ubame oak
ウバメガシubamegashi
Salt-tolerant evergreen oak of the wind-exposed headlands.

Fauna

Table corals
テーブルサンゴtēburu sango
Large colonies at Tatsukushi and off the Nishiumi Peninsula.
Reef fish of Kashiwajima
Around a thousand fish species have been recorded in the waters around the island, a mix of tropical and temperate species.
Red sea bream
真鯛madai
Farmed on a large scale in the sheltered inlets of the Uwa Sea, together with pearl oysters.

Culture

Cape Ashizuri is a sacred place of the Shikoku pilgrimage. Kongōfuku-ji, founded according to tradition by Kūkai in 822, stands above the cliffs; for walking pilgrims it lies at the end of the longest stretch between two temples of the circuit, from temple 37, Iwamoto-ji. The fishing villages of the Uwa Sea developed distinctive defences against typhoons, above all the stone walls of Sotodomari.

The cape is also linked to Nakahama Manjirō, a fisherman's son from nearby Nakanohama who was shipwrecked in 1841, rescued by an American whaler and educated in the United States; he returned to become an interpreter and teacher during Japan's opening to the West.

Kongōfuku-ji
金剛福寺Kongōfuku-ji
Temple 38 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, on Cape Ashizuri.
Nakahama Manjirō statue
中浜万次郎Nakahama Manjirō
A statue on the cape honours the castaway who became a bridge between Japan and the United States.
Sotodomari stone walls
外泊石垣の里Sotodomari Ishigaki no Sato
Houses terraced up a slope behind walls of stacked stone, protecting them from winter winds and typhoons.
Hakusan Dōmon
白山洞門Hakusan Dōmon
A granite sea arch on Cape Ashizuri, with a small shrine above it.

History

822
Traditional founding of Kongōfuku-ji by Kūkai.
1841
Nakahama Manjirō is shipwrecked and rescued by an American whaling ship.
1955
Designated as a quasi-national park.
1970
Tatsukushi is among the first marine park zones established in Japan.
1972
Raised to national park status with the Uwa Sea coast on 10 November.

Through the seasons

Spring

Mild and green, with calm seas returning; good visibility for snorkelling begins in late spring.

Summer

Warm, clear water at Kashiwajima and Tatsukushi for diving and snorkelling; typhoons can bring high seas.

Autumn

The Ashizuri chrysanthemum blooms on the cliffs; underwater visibility is often at its best.

Winter

Camellias bloom along the cape; the coast is mild, but the north-westerly wind can be strong on the Uwa Sea.

Routes and trails

Cape Ashizuri promenade
A path under camellias from Kongōfuku-ji along the cliffs to the lighthouse and Hakusan Dōmon.
Tatsukushi glass-bottomed boats
Boats cross from Tatsukushi to Minokoshi over the coral beds, followed by a walk on the eroded sandstone shore.
Snorkelling and diving at Kashiwajima
Shore and boat dives in clear water; local operators know the conditions.
Nametoko Gorge trail
A valley walk along smooth granite beds to the Yukiwa waterfall.

Practical notes

The area is remote: from Kochi it takes around three hours by train and bus to Cape Ashizuri; a car makes the coast much easier to explore.
Uwajima is the main gateway for the Ehime side, reached by limited express from Matsuyama.
Coral and fish in marine park zones are protected; do not collect or touch.
Typhoons regularly affect the coast in late summer and autumn.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the southernmost point of Shikoku?

Cape Ashizuri in Tosashimizu, Kochi Prefecture, which lies within Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park.

Why is the water at Kashiwajima so clear?

The warm Kuroshio Current flows close to the coast and there are few rivers bringing sediment, so visibility is exceptional.

When was the park designated?

On 10 November 1972, when the former Ashizuri quasi-national park was extended to the Uwa Sea coast and raised to national park status.

Which Shikoku pilgrimage temple is in the park?

Kongōfuku-ji, temple 38, stands on Cape Ashizuri.

Sources

1.環境省_足摺宇和海国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省 (Ministry of the Environment)
2.環境省_国立公園_国立公園一覧 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省 (Ministry of the Environment)
3.National Parks of Japan (opens in a new tab) — Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan