Muroto

The Muroto Cape extends like a wedge into the Pacific at the eastern tip of Kochi Prefecture. The entire city is a UNESCO Global Geopark. Kūkai's meditation caves, pilgrimage temples and the Yoshikawa old street with white walls all sit side by side here.

Muroto lies at the eastern tip of Kochi Prefecture. The Muroto Peninsula juts out into the Pacific like a wedge, and the whole city was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2011. The subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate has continually raised the land here, creating stepped marine terraces, sea caves and rugged coastal rocks, and subtropical plants grow along the shore. Muroto is also the legendary place where Kūkai attained enlightenment during his ascetic practice. Temples 24 to 26 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage are concentrated here.

The area can be explored in three parts. Around Muroto Cape, you will find Mikuriya-do Cave, Saimyō-ji temple and Muroto Point Lighthouse, the Muroto Skyline viewing road and the Rocky Reef walking trail. In the city centre and along the west coast are the Geopark Center, Jōshō-ji temple, Kongōchō-ji temple, Gyōtō Cape and Kuroji Coast. To the north are the white-walled old street of Yoshikawa and the Muroto Former School Aquarium.

The best seasons are March to May and October to November. Winter is clear and has little rain, which also makes it a good time for watching sunrise. From July to October, be alert for typhoons.

Getting there: From Kochi city, it is about 2 hours by car along National Route 55. You can also take the Tosa Kuroshio Railway to Naharii and transfer to the Kochi East Transit bus. From Tokushima, it is about 1.5–2 hours via Kaifu Town. Public transport runs infrequently, so a car is recommended. Plan to stay 1–2 days, which can be combined with the Monet Garden in Kitagawa Village. Local specialties include kinmedai (golden eye snapper), deep sea water products and Tosa Bincho charcoal. Be sure to try the kinmedai rice bowl at the harbour restaurants.

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