Recommended Touring Courses in Oku Shimanto

A scenic spot recommended for gathering and rest! Cape Katabirazaki Observation Deck

The Yokonami Kuroshio Line connects Usa, a coastal district in Tosa, the city next to Kochi, to the city of Susaki. Midway along this path, which cuts across the ria Yokonami Peninsula and is also known as the Yokonami Skyline, you will find Cape Katabirazaki Observation Deck. This is a rest area with a large parking lot where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and the beauty of the intricate ria coastline. The photo is taken from the observatory above the parking lot, offering an even more dynamic view of the Pacific Ocean. During summer holidays, you may be lucky enough to find trucks selling Kochi's famous ice cream. As a rest area, we recommend making this place, the gateway to the Oku Shimanto area, the starting point for your touring adventure.

The ultimate touring route is the Yokonami Kuroshio Line, which follows the winding ria coastline! Experience exhilaration as you take in the Pacific Ocean below and catch wafts of the tide. There are many thrilling areas where the road runs right above cliffs, so refrain from looking away or speeding. Head west from the Yokonami Kuroshio Line via the area near Roadside Station Kawauso no Sato Susaki to get to Nakatosa. While you can take the expressway for a smooth ride to Nakatosa, we also recommend a leisurely ride along the coastal National Route 56 via the Awa area of Susaki. Kure in Nakatosa is a fishing town famous for its seafood, especially bonito. Spend your lunchtime at such popular spots as Kure Taisho Market or Roadside Station Nakatosa!

From the town of Nakatosa, take the expressway or National Route 56 to the heart of the town of Shimanto. We recommend taking National Route 381 from the vicinity of the city and riding along the Shimanto River. Along the way in the Utsuigawa District, you will find Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto. Known as the Mecca of figurines made by the famed hobby goods manufacturer Kaiyodo, this museum is built in the renovated Uchikawa Elementary School and brims with exciting figurines. The reason the museum is located in the mountains is because this is where the founder of Kaiyodo, Osamu Miyawaki, is from. In addition to exhibits, diorama making experiences are also available. Take a little detour to the Kaiyodo Kappa Museum nearby, which displays kappa statues and figurines.

National Route 381 is a road that follows the Shimanto River. The road is clear and allows for relaxed touring with the river flowing right in front of you. The Shimanto River is famous for its submersible bridges. Numerous submersible bridges are scattered along this route, most of which are visible directly from the road. Submersible bridges that can be crossed by motorcycle or car are connected by side roads off the national highway, close enough to cross with just a slight detour. If there is a place to park beside a submersible bridge, we recommend getting off your bike and taking a walk as well. The flow of the Shimanto River and the refreshing breeze will surely soothe any weariness from your journey. This route also features rows of cherry trees, letting you enjoy a cherry blossom viewing tour in spring.

Souvenirs and sweets at Roadside Station Shimanto Towa

Roadside Station Shimanto Towa, located near the final point of the Shimanto River in the Oku Shimanto area, is a popular spot offering dishes made with food from the Shimanto River, original souvenirs from the roadside station, and sweets. The attached Ochakuri Cafe serves exquisite sweets made with local chestnuts and tea. Take your time choosing souvenirs and soothe your weary body with sweets to prepare for the next leg of your journey. The distance from the starting point of Cape Katabirazaki Observation Deck to here is less than 2 hours non-stop. Most places within the Oku Shimanto area can be reached within two hours from the gateway city of Susaki, and the good natural environment and road conditions make this area highly recommended for touring.

Touring along the Shinjo River, home to the official mascot of Susaki, Shinjo-kun!

The destination is Shikoku Karst in the Tenku Area of Oku Shimanto. The exhilaration of racing from around sea level into mountains over 1,000 meters high in just about two hours is what touring is all about. The starting point for this route is Roadside Station Kawauso no Sato Susaki. Located just west of the national highway from Kochi Expressway Susaki Central IC, this roadside station is built beside the Shimanto River, where the last living Japanese river otter was sighted, and its spacious parking lot makes it recommended for breaks and gatherings. Across from the roadside station is a convenience store named after the Susaki city mascot, Shinjo-kun, who won first place in the Yuru-Chara Grand Prix! You can also get ready here, after which you’ll want to set off touring again immediately with views of the Shimanto River at your side!

Roadside Station Fusegasaka is located about 30 minutes from Roadside Station Kawauso no Sato Susaki. The road to this point is relatively wide with few large bends for a relaxed touring experience. The town around Roadside Station Fusegasaka, Tsuno, is famous for its Tsunoyama tea, and a tranquil landscape of tea fields unfolds before the roadside station’s observation deck. There are no rest areas with such spacious parking lots as the roadside station from here to Shikoku Karst, so you’ll want to take a short rest or have an early meal here. The Manten no Hoshi Special Pork Belly Ramen, made by Manten no Hoshi famous for their Manten no Hoshi Daifuku, is popular here. The ramen, with a soy sauce base and a hint of burnt garlic, is perfect for replenishing stamina and it comes with daifuku as dessert, making this a great value.

Continue on to National Route 197, then from the Chikaraishi area of Tsuno, make your way at last to Shikoku Karst. From here, take National Route 439 to experience the exhilaration of racing to the Shikoku Karst at the summit. While some roads may be a bit narrower than the wider national highways, you can ride slowly for a pleasant, worry-free ride. As you go forward, the mountain peaks that once seemed far grow ever closer, and once you can see Hoshifuru Village Tengu, you will start feeling a sense of achievement at your long-awaited arrival. However, you may want to temper your excitement and stop by spots along the way that offer great views. Below your eyes unfolds spectacular views of your journey thus far and of the mountains below.

Shikoku Karst stretches from Tengu Highlands for nearly 25 km along the summit ridge. The route traversing this ridge offers panoramic views of vast grasslands, mountains stretching into the distance, and blue skies. Feel as if you were walking through the sky. When taking photographs while touring, the weather was unfortunately shrouded in thick clouds, but the mood created was fantastic, as if we were riding through sheer white fog. The drastic way the landscape changes with the weather is part of the charm of Shikoku Karst. Still, touring Shikoku Karst on a day with good weather is exhilarating. This route along the summit with no trees to block the view is a rare, seldom-experienced kind of touring bound to create lasting memories.

With some reluctance about leaving behind the stunning views of the Shikoku Karst, head south from the last point along the Karst, toward the town of Yusuhara. Yusuhara is a town of historical adventure, famous for the Niraga Pass on the prefectural border where imperial loyalist samurai during the Meiji Restoration broke from the feudal domain. In the center of the town, Ishin no Mon (Restoration Gate) features dynamic statues of eight imperial loyalists, including Sakamoto Ryoma. The statues gaze towards Nirayama Pass, as if conveying these revolutionaries' spirits to the present. These statues are accessible by motorcycle or car, so stop by and reflect on the end of the shogunate.

An overnight stay to fully experience the magic of the Oku Shimanto area!

The vast majority of the Oku Shimanto area is accessible within two hours from the city of Susaki, the gateway to Oku Shimanto from Kochi Prefecture. The five municipalities of the Oku Shimanto area are connected in a ring, letting you ride from Susaki to Tsuno, Yusuhara, Nakatosa, then Shimanto in that order, or vice versa. While visiting all five municipalities in one day would be a challenge, an overnight stay makes it entirely possible to tour the two routes presented on this feature page. Starting from the Shikoku Karst route lets you access the town of Shimanto from Yusuhara and then circle back using the Shimanto River route. Starting from the Shimanto River route lets you access Yusuhara from the town of Shimanto and then circle back using the Shikoku Karst route. This lets you plan a touring route that lets you fully experience the magic of the Oku Shimanto area.