Tosashimizu

The town of Tosashimizu, located in the southwest of the city of Kochi is one of these cities that deserves a detour especially if you love nature. The village of Nakanohama, now located in the town of Tosashimizu, is the birthplace of Nakahama Manjirō, the first Japanese to have lived in the United States after being collected by fishermen following his shipwreck.

Cape Ashizuri-Uwakai

The southernmost Cape of Shikoku hosts Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. It occupies land formed by tectonic and magmatic activity millions of years ago, and has a mild climate thanks to the Kuroshio current. This combination of tectonic and oceanic forces has given rise to the landscape and coastal ecosystems that give life to the local population, who practise fishing and agriculture. Tosashimizu strives to preserve and enhance this unique natural environment and lifestyle in order to transmit this heritage to future generations.

The centre of Uminowa presents the various features of the national park, ranging from wooded mountains and steep cliffs to seas inhabited by more than 100 coral species and 384 kinds of colorful sea slugs, to the heart of a remarkable variety of marine species. The coastal location of the centre allows visitors to discover the natural world of Ashizuri-Uwakai just after learning about it by viewing Uminowa’s multimedia screens.

Chemin de Camelias

In this natural park you can discover a forest of Japanese camellias. Camellias grow wild in the Cape Ashizuri Peninsula, the best time to admire them is from late January to late February. Extending 2,000 m, the camellias cover a path that leads to theAshizuri Kongofukuji temple.

Marine cave at the tip of Cape Ashizuri

The Pacific creates a wave of 16m high and 17m wide, simmering in a 15m deep cave. This granite cave is the largest in Japan and has been classified as a natural monument of Kochi since 1953.

Village Nakanohama

On the west bank of the Ashizuri Peninsula is the village of Nakanohama in Tosashimizu, where Nakahama Manjiro was born and became one of the first Japanese to travel to the United States. Manjirō, a young fisherman, sank off the coast of Japan in 1841 and was rescued by whale hunting captain William H. Whitfield of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Whitfield brought the young Manjirō back to Fairhaven and New Bedford at the end of the whale hunting trip, and Manjirō spent several years there before finally returning to Japan. In tribute to this story, Tosashimizu was paired with Fairhaven and New Bedford in 1987.

Tojindaba website

At this archaeological site, there are remains of megaliths. On site, posters in Japanese explain their origin and age.

200 meters from there is a site ofcampsiteclean and maintained.

John Mung Museum

In the city of Tosashimizu is a museum dedicated to Nakahama Manjiro. In America, he was named John Mung. Author Ibuse Matsuji named John Manjiro. The museum documents his shipwreck, his rescue by an American whaler, his life as a whaler and a gold researcher. After returning to Japan, he played an important role in the Meiji restoration. The exhibitions offer explanations in English and a fascinating view of Japan’s opening to the West.

The museum’s shop and restaurant are also very welcoming. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of traditional American desserts, prepared with love according to authentic recipes. The museum also offers workshops to discover local crafts.

Pilgrimage of Shikoku

The Shikoku pilgrimage crosses the city, and the longest stretch of 80.7 km on the road is between the 37th temple (Iwamoto-ji) in Shimanto and the 38th temple (Kongōfuku-ji) in Cape Ashizuri. Down the Itsuta Pass to Tosashimizu, there is Shinnenan, a small hermitage along the road 28 km from Kongōfuku-ji. It was designed to provide free accommodation for pilgrims on this section, where people could also leave their luggage during the visit to Kongōfuku-ji, return to Shinnenan and continue until the 39th Enkō-ji in Sukumo at 50.8 km.

Shimanto – river, nature and activities

The simplest, quickest and cheapest will be from the train stationShimantoand take a bus that will take you to the center of the city of Tosashimizu. (about 52 minutes).

The tip of the island is not served by train lines.

Tosashimizu may not be as popular as other cities ofShikoku, but it is a beautiful tourist destination that deserves a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore in this hidden destination.

Si cet article vous a apporté des informations utiles et peut aider d’autres voyageurs à préparer leur séjour, un avis Google en cliquant sur l’image suivante sera toujours apprécié.