basic information

Kushimoto is located on the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula. The small town and its surroundings feature nice coastal scenery and several mildly interesting museums.

Cape Shionomisaki, just south of Kushimoto's town center, is the southernmost point of Japan's main island Honshu. A shrine and Shionomisaki Lighthouse stand nearby. The lighthouse contains a small museum with exhibits about the building and local history. It is also possible to climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Not far from Cape Shionomisaki and connected with the mainland by a large modern bridge lies Oshima Island. The island is home to two small museums of foreign background and more coastal scenery.

The Turkish Memorial Museum is dedicated to an accident at sea in 1890, when a Turkish ship crashed on Oshima's shores. Survivors from the ship were cared for by townspeople until they could be safely sent back to Turkey. The incident marks the beginning of a deep friendship between Japan and Turkey.

Oshima's second foreign inspired museum is the Japan-US Friendship Museum, which commemorates the arrival of two American tradeships to Oshima in 1791. The event is said to be the first occurrence of a "friendly" relationship between the two countries. Walking trails connect the museum with a nearby observation point with views over the spectacular Umikongo Coast, named after Mount Kongo in Korea.

On the mainland, a series of rocks dot the coastline leading out towards Oshima Island. A legend claims that these rocks, called Hashigui-iwa, (meaning "bridge pillar rocks") were created by the famous monk Kobo Daishi. He formed the rocks after being challenged by a monster to build a bridge across the sea. Kobo Daishi nearly succeeded, and the remains of his efforts still stand.

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how to get there

Kushimoto is a major station along the JR Kisei Line, served by both limited express trains and local trains.

Shionomisaki is the final stop of the bus line, which connects Shingu with Kushimoto. From Kushimoto Station, the one way ride to Shionomisaki takes 20 minutes and costs 370 yen. If taken into the opposite direction (bound for Shingu), the same bus line provides access to the Hashigui-iwa Rocks (5 minutes, 150 yen from Kushimoto Station). There is one bus per hour.

A separate bus takes passengers from Kushimoto Station to Kashino Lighthouse on Oshima Island. This bus also provides access to the Turkish Memorial Museum, the Japan-US Friendship Museum and Umikongo. The one way trip takes 30 minutes and cost 590 yen. There are only five round trips per day.

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hours and fees

Turkish Memorial Museum
Hours:	9:00 to 17:00
Admission:	250 yen

Japan-US Friendship Museum
Hours:	9:00 to 16:00
Admission:	250 yen

travel community

Popularity of Kushimoto:
Users who have been to Kumano: 33
Users who have been to Kushimoto: 5

8th of 8 most visited sights in Kumano.
503rd of 553 most visited sights nationwide.

Ratings for Kushimoto:

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