Aki (Kochi), Muroto, Umaji Travel Guides

The Aki, Muroto, and Umaji Village area offers tourist attractions such as Kumano Shrine, Mt. Myoken, and Cape Muroto, tourist events such as the Kumano Shrine Festival, Shiina Hachioji Shrine Autumn Festival, and Sakihama Hachimangu Grand Festival, and local delicacies such as makgeolli, kanzashi, and bonito tataki.

The area overlooks the bright blue Pacific Ocean. Facing Tosa Bay, Aki is a peaceful rural area dotted with tourist attractions. We recommend visiting the birthplace of Yataro Iwasaki, founder of the Mitsubishi Group, the museum of Shintaro Nakaoka, Ryoma Sakamoto's right-hand man, and other historical sites where you can feel the history from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration.

For something a little different, "Kitagawa Village, Monet's Garden, Marmottan" is also popular. This garden was modeled after the garden of Monet, an impressionist painter. The garden consists of three sections: "Water Garden," "Flower Garden," and "Light Garden," all of which are amazingly three-dimensional representations of Monet's world as it was in his paintings.

Cape Muroto is located on the southeast bridge of Shikoku, where Tosa Bay breaks off. The 48-km-long coastline juts out into the Pacific Ocean, and almost the entire area is designated as the Muroto Anan Kaigan National Park.

At the Muroto Dolphin Center in Cape Muroto, you can communicate with dolphins, and you will be greatly soothed by the five different programs and the dolphin swim, which is held three times a day, where you can swim with the dolphins.

If you want to enjoy camping with an ocean view, "Cape Muroto Yuhigaoka Campsite" is recommended. It is famous as a spot where you can see beautiful sunsets, just as the name suggests.

Each tent has plenty of space, so you can spend your time in privacy. Hot showers and other facilities are also available, making it a good choice for those who are not fond of the wild outdoors.

After camping, it is a good idea to visit the white lighthouse, the symbol of Cape Muroto. Along the coast there is also a promenade with a random reef trail, where you can enjoy strolling while admiring the mysterious topography formed by the erosion of rough seas.

After a day full of fun, visitors can enjoy tasting fresh seafood landed at Muroto Port. You can also indulge in the sumptuous hospitality of what is known as "Tosa no igoso," or Tosa Ramen with its bonito broth. Tosa ramen noodles with bonito broth is another popular local delicacy that is sure to be a hit in the near future.