South of Tokushima city, the prefecture’s coastline turns wild and elemental as it runs down the Pacific shore toward Cape Muroto, the great cape at the tip of the peninsula that divides Tokushima from Kochi’s Muroto. This is a coast of raw geology and open ocean: sheer rocky headlands, wave-cut platforms of uplifted seabed, crashing surf and vast horizons, quite different from the sheltered Seto Inland Sea in the north. The Muroto area is a UNESCO Global Geopark, its dramatic rock formations telling the story of land rising from the sea. Reached by a long, scenic coastal drive through fishing villages and surf spots, the southern Pacific coast rewards travellers with wild, uncrowded scenery, powerful seascapes and a real sense of the edge of Shikoku.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Southern coast toward Muroto, Tokushima |
| Hours | Open coast; daylight |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | Half to full day (with the drive) |
| Best time | Clear days; sunrise over the Pacific |
What to See
- A wild Pacific coastline of rock and open ocean.
- Uplifted seabed, wave-cut platforms and crashing surf.
- The Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark landscape.
- Scenic coastal drives through fishing villages.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Shikoku pilgrimage temples along the coast.
- Pair with sudachi citrus and coastal seafood.
- Read our Tokushima overview .
Getting There
- By car: essential, via the long scenic Pacific coast road.
- By bus: limited services run down the southern coast.
Tips
Come with a car and allow time for the long coastal drive, which is the experience itself, taking in the fishing villages, surf spots and dramatic geology along the way. Time it for clear weather or the Pacific sunrise, note that this is a remote stretch with limited services, and combine it with the pilgrimage temples that dot the southern coast.
