Cape Ashizuri is the wild southern tip of Shikoku, a rugged headland where sheer cliffs drop into the vast Pacific and a graceful white lighthouse stands against endless blue horizons. Remote and elemental, it has an end-of-the-land grandeur, with a scenic walking path along the clifftops taking in rock formations, a natural arch and sweeping ocean views. Just behind the cape sits Kongofukuji, the 38th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, a sub-tropical temple set among camphor trees that has drawn pilgrims for over a thousand years. Far from Kochi city and reached by a long coastal drive, the cape rewards the journey with some of the most powerful scenery in western Japan.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Ashizuri, Tosa-Shimizu / Shimanto |
| Hours | Open cape; temple daylight |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Best time | Clear days; sunrise over the Pacific |
What to See
- Sheer cliffs dropping into the Pacific at Shikoku’s tip.
- A graceful white lighthouse and a natural rock arch.
- Kongofukuji, the 38th temple of the 88-temple pilgrimage.
- A clifftop walking path with sweeping ocean views.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage in Kochi.
- Pair with the Shimanto River on the way.
- Read our Kochi overview .
Getting There
- By car: essential, via a long but scenic coastal drive.
- By bus: limited buses reach Ashizuri from Nakamura Station.
Tips
Come with a car and allow for the long drive from Kochi city, ideally staying overnight nearby rather than rushing there and back in a day. Walk the clifftop path for the best views and the natural arch, visit Kongofukuji temple just behind the cape, and time it for clear weather or the famous Pacific sunrise if you can.
