[ Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture ] Rent a bicycle to explore Tosashimizu City, Western Tosashimizu City

Introduction

Tosashimizu City is blessed with a rich natural environment, including the Ashizuri Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, Tatsukushi, with its Mars-like landscape of strangely shaped rocks, the historic fishing towns of Matsuo and Kubotsu, John Manjiro's hometown of Nakahama, and Oki Coast, known for its beautiful sandy Tosashimizu City .

On the other hand, it can be difficult to visit various spots without a personal car or rental car, but if you are confident in your physical strength, we recommend using a road bike or electric assist bicycle to visit hidden spots.

Here we will introduce various spots that you can tour by bicycle.

• Table of Contents
• Cape Kanae Zaki , a scenic spot known as " Cape Ashizuri Misaki of the West"
• Precautions
• Ashizuri Port (John Manjiro Museum and Ashizuri Port Park)
• Matsuzaki Coast and Ochikubo Coast
• (Mid-March to early April) Cherry blossom trees along Furusato Forest Road
• (Mid-March to early April) Cherry blossom trees in Shimomashino area
• Roadside Station Tosashimizu Mejikano Sato (rest and meals)
• Misaki Niconico Park (resting place)
• sea (shell) Gallery (Tosashimizu City Shellfish Museum)
• Tatsukushi Coast (side trip)
• Tatsukushi Visitor Center "Uminowa"
• Kochi Prefectural Ashizuri Aquarium "SATOUMI"
• Ashizuri Undersea Museum (side trip)
• Candle Rock
• On Shrine and Kainokawa's Great Camphor Tree (a detour)
• Otsu Bridge
• About rental bicycles

Cape Kanae Zaki , a scenic spot known as " Cape Ashizuri Misaki of the West"

Cape Kanae Zaki is located about 20km west of the center of Tosashimizu City, near the border with the neighboring Otsuki Town .

Cape Kanae Zaki has long been known as a scenic spot, also known as "Cape Ashizuri Misaki of the West," and its symbol is the Cape Kanae Zaki Lighthouse.
This historic lighthouse was first lit in 1911, older than Cape Ashizuri Misaki Lighthouse.

The bridge on National Route 321 ( Otsu Bridge) on the Tosashimizu side is a spectacular highlight and is loved by cyclists traveling along the Hata Road.

In this article, we will introduce the spots along the route to the destination, Cape Kanae Zaki , on the western edge of Tosashimizu City .

Precautions

In the section from Candle Rock onwards in this article, there are four tunnels: Kawaguchi, Katakasu, Shidanoura, and Kainokawa.

This route connects Tosashimizu City and Sukumo City, and although there is not much traffic under normal circumstances, please be sure to turn on your lights when passing through and be careful to avoid accidents.

Ashizuri Port (John Manjiro Museum and Ashizuri Port Park)

(Approx. 3km from Tosashimizu City center)

The first recommended rest spot is Ashizuri Port, which was once a ferry port connecting Osaka, Kochi, Kohura and Tosashimizu.

Ashizuri Port has many facilities where you can relax, such as the John Manjiro Museum, where you can learn about the local hero John Manjiro through a variety of materials, an observation deck with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and Ashizuri Port Park, where you can see the town of Tosashimizu.

There are also public toilets and a vending machine corner, making it a recommended rest spot.

Matsuzaki Coast and Ochikubo Coast

(Approx. 4.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

Next, we will introduce a spot where a series of rocks similar to Miyazaki 's famous Oni no Sentaku Iwa (Devil's Washing Rock) stretch along the coast from Matsuzaki to Ochikubo.

It is also designated as a geosite in Tosashimizu Geopark, so you can enjoy the impressive scenery without even having to go down to the coast.

You can also see Mizushima Island offshore.

(Mid-March to early April) Cherry blossom trees along Furusato Forest Road

(Approx. 7km from Tosashimizu City center)

Although it is only open seasonally, the Furusato Forest Road, which connects the Ogi and Shimomashino districts, is lined with cherry blossom trees that stretch for several hundred meters from the entrance to the Shimomashino district.

(Mid-March to early April) Cherry blossom trees in Shimomashino area

(Approx. 7.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

This is also a seasonal sight, but the rows of cherry blossom trees that run along National Route 321 and the Masino River in the Shimomashino area make for a spectacular sight to enjoy in the spring when they are at their best.

Roadside Station Tosashimizu Mejikano Sato (rest and meals)

(Approx. 9km from Tosashimizu City center)

Tosashimizu Mejika no Sato Roadside Station was renovated in 2023, and the souvenir shop and restaurant have been completely renovated.
You can purchase popular menu items made with ingredients from Tosashimizu City, as well as souvenirs made with the local specialty, bonito flakes.

There are also public toilets and a vending machine corner, making it a recommended rest spot.

Rest stop Mejika no Sato Tosashimizu

671-1 Misaki Nishishirisome, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture 787-04...

As it is called "Fish town Tosashimizu" While maximizing the appeal of Tosashimizu City, whose main industry is the fisheries industry, It has the role of a hub connecting the Tatsukushi area and the Ashizuri area, and is a roadside station with the motto "Fresh and delicious". C-Mart Tosashimizu, where you can buy products unique to the fish town of Tosashimizu Sodabushi Cafe where you can taste Sodabushi Misaki Kitchen, a restaurant where you can enjoy delicious seafood from the Hata area as well as Tosashimizu And so on.

Misaki Niconico Park (resting place)

(Approx. 10km from Tosashimizu City center)

Misaki Niconico Park is a seaside park located on the coast of the Misaki district.
The coast is full of rough stones and is not particularly suitable for swimming or walking, but there are facilities where you can relax and enjoy the sea, and it is a popular place for locals to relax.

Public toilets are available here as well, making it a recommended rest spot.

sea (shell) Gallery (Tosashimizu City Shellfish Museum)

(Approx. 11km from Tosashimizu City center)

The Seashell Gallery is an impressive building facing the promenade leading to Tatsukushi Beach.

Inside, a collection of 50,000 shells of 3,000 different species is lined up in a tightly packed space, and the unique architecture gives the impression of being at the bottom of the sea.

There is also a facility nearby called Umi Galleria Terrace, which includes a cafe and toilets, making it a great place to take a break.

sea ​​gallery

23-8 Tatsukushi, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture 787-0452

About 3,000 types of 80,000 pieces of a wide variety of domestic and foreign shellfish are stored and displayed. All the shells are from the collection of Mr. Kazuo Kurohara, a Western-style painter living in Tosashimizu City. The building was designed by Masako Hayashi, and in 2003 it was selected as one of the 100 best modern movement buildings in Japan. You can also experience making clear candles, photo frames, etc. using shells picked up at Sakurahama beach in front of you. <Entrance fee> Adults: 300 yen Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen Children under elementary school age: free

Tatsukushi Coast (side trip)

(Approx. 11.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

Tatsukushi Coast is a scenic spot that represents the western part of Tosashimizu City.

The unique landscape of the strangely shaped rocks and scenic spots formed by the erosion of waves and wind stretches for about 2km.
You can enjoy nature's artistic creations up close, including rocks with countless holes carved into them known as "beehive structures" and a series of rock formations that look almost like sculptures. There is a walking trail, and you can observe the formation of the landforms and the dynamic scenery of the Pacific Ocean while walking.

Tatsukushi Visitor Center "Uminowa"

(Approx. 11.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

Tatsukushi Visitor Center "Uminowa" is a base facility that provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the charms of the nature and sea of ​​the Tatsukushi area of ​​Tosashimizu City , Kochi Prefecture . With themes such as the Tatsukushi Coast with its rows of strangely shaped rocks and the beautiful sea that was designated as Japan's first marine park, visitors can learn about the formation of the landforms, marine life, and the history and culture of the region through exhibits and videos.

Kochi Prefectural Ashizuri Aquarium "SATOUMI"

(Approx. 11.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

This ocean-themed aquarium in Tosashimizu City exhibits a wide variety of marine life blessed by the Kuroshio Current.
You can enjoy the impressive sight of schools of bonito and sardines swimming in the giant aquarium, and you can also interact with familiar sea creatures in the touch pool. The museum is packed with exhibits that teach you about Tatsukushi's coastal topography and underwater environment, making it an experiential facility where you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding sea and nature.

Ashizuri Ocean Museum SATOUMI

4032 Misaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture 787-0450

Ashizuri Kaiyokan SATOUMI is an adventure museum of the sea and nature. You can learn, play and enjoy that "all life is connected to the sea and lives with the sea". Reopened in 2020. Overlooking the beautiful sea of ​​Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, which is nurtured by the Kuroshio Current, 15,000 animals of about 350 species are raised and exhibited. Adult: 1200 yen Up to high school students: 600 yen (free for preschoolers)

Ashizuri Undersea Museum (side trip)

(Approx. 12km from Tosashimizu City center)

It is one of seven underwater observation facilities in Japan, and the only one in the Chugoku-Shikoku region.

From the tower at the end of the pier that stretches out into the sea, you can observe the natural underwater scenery.
From the observation window about 7 meters deep, you can see colorful fish such as blue damselfish and butterflyfish swimming and get a close-up look at the crystal clear waters of Tatsukushi. This is a rare spot where you can see the "real ocean" rather than an aquarium, and the creatures you can see change depending on the season and weather, which is also an attraction.

Ashizuri Undersea Museum

4032 Misaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture 787-0450

A white and red building that looks like a spaceship floating on the sea. It is one of the seven underwater observatory towers in Japan, and the only facility in Chugoku and Shikoku. The concept is "You can take a walk in the natural sea while wearing casual clothes." When you go down the spiral staircase from the observatory overlooking the Pacific Ocean, you can see the world of the seabed at a depth of 7m. The sight of colorful tropical fish swimming among coral reefs is like a fairy tale world. It is a natural aquarium that you can enjoy as if you are diving in the sea of ​​Ashizuri. May be temporarily closed during stormy weather Adult: 900 yen Up to high school students: 450 yen (There is a discount when combined with the ticket for the adjacent Ashizuri Kaiyokan)

Candle Rock

(Approx. 13.3 km from Tosashimizu City center)

This is a strangely shaped rock formation on the coast just before the Shimokawaguchi Tunnel, which leads to the Shimokawaguchi area.

It is called "Candle Rock" because of its long, slender shape.

There is currently no easy route down to the coast, so please view it from the road.

On Shrine and Kainokawa's Great Camphor Tree (a detour)

(Approx. 18km from Tosashimizu City center)

This is a shrine located in the Kainokawa district (Kainokawa-go) and a camphor tree within the shrine grounds that is estimated to be over 500 years old.

It's a bit of a detour from the main route, but the road is narrow and there is no parking space, so it's a spot that's difficult to stop by by car, but you can easily stop by by bicycle.

The large camphor tree is approximately 8m in diameter and 26m in height, making it a very impressive sight.

Otsu Bridge

(Approx. 19.5 km from Tosashimizu City center)

This bridge runs from the bus stop at the entrance to the Otsu area to the front of the Cape Kanae Zaki Tunnel.

When viewed from above, the bridge forms a beautiful S-curve that follows the terrain, and although it is difficult to climb up on a bicycle, it looks like it would be very pleasant to get off at the top.

The bridge is high up and along the coast, so on clear days you can even see Cape Ashizuri Misaki and Okinoshima Island.

About rental bicycles

Mori Bicycle Shop (road bikes only)

2-1 Tosashimizu City City
Business hours: 8:30-18:30
Closed: Sundays
0880-82-0068

Electrically assisted bicycle rental information