[Kochi Prefecture, Western Otsuki Town] A half-course promenade along the cliffs of Odo Coast with a bird's-eye view

Location and Overview

The course takes approximately 60 minutes and starts from the roadside station in the center of Otsuki Town, heading towards Kashiwajima, and ends at the Kannon Rock Climbing Entrance (parking available) (altitude approximately 60m) just before crossing the bridge.
The hike will take you up to the Omangataki Rest Area (approximately 130m above sea level), where you can get a panoramic view of Kashiwajima and the Pacific Ocean, and then you will turn back. The hike is set on a peninsula sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Sukumo Bay, so you can enjoy the views of both, and you will be walking on the cliffs of Odo Coast, where you can look down on the white waves crashing on the shore and the blue ocean. The Kannon Rock and Omangataki Falls are unique and well worth seeing, but the trail is made up of walking paths and stairs, so anyone can walk the hike as long as they have suitable shoes and clothing to protect them from grass, branches, and the wind.

The reason why it is called "Half" in the title is that there is another full-sized course that takes about 120 minutes to descend from the Odoyama Observatory, at an altitude of about 240m, to Kannon Rock. However, since the start and finish are in different places and it requires cooperation between two cars, we will introduce it on another occasion.

Highlight 1: Kannon Rock

As you climb the stairs to the starting point of the Kannon Rock climb, the first thing that comes into view is the strangely shaped rock formation known as Kannon Rock. As its name suggests, it is a magnificent sight that looks like the Kannon Bodhisattva is praying with his hands together.

Highlight 2: The chalk cliffs of Odo Coast

The course runs along the ridgeline above the cliffs, so in many places you can see the blue ocean with white waves crashing below and the chalk cliffs.

Highlight 3: Omangataki Rest Area: A bird's-eye view of the spectacular scenery

The turning point, Omangataki Falls, is 130m above sea level and is the highest waterfall in the area, so it can be seen from anywhere, and from the rest area you can see the Pacific Ocean and Kashiwajima. Oku Kashiwajima you can see the inhabited island of Uguru Island, the shadow of Okinoshima in the Oku to the right, and the uninhabited islands of Biroujima and Kojima in the foreground.

Highlight 4: "Kannoniwa Rest Area: Panoramic View of the Horizon and Sheer Cliffs"

If you turn right at the T-junction at the top of the Kannon Rock Climbing Trail (if you go straight ahead on the way back, instead of descending to the starting point), you will arrive at the "Kannon Rock Rest Area" located on top of a cliff. Since you are diagonally above Kannon Rock, you cannot see Kannon Rock from here, but instead you can enjoy the magnificent horizon and the cliffs facing Kashiwajima and Omanga Falls.
The climb is steep, so it is recommended for those who are confident in their physical strength.

Highlight 5: Rare plants you won't find anywhere else

Plants associated with Dr. Tomitaro Makino and rare plants that can only be seen in the strong sea breeze bloom in every season, and in early summer you can see plants such as sea cucumber, Japanese peony, and Taiwan laurel.

If you need a guide

The town's tourism business "Lagoon Racing" will guide you to this place as part of their "Photo Venture" service. For more information, please check their website.
Kochi Otsuki Buggy Service Lagoon Racinghttps ://automaaudio.wixsite.com/lagoon/nighttour

If you want to know more about Otsuki Town, please see here.

Otsuki Town Tourism Association https://otsuki-kanko.jp/