Natural Scenery of Tatsukushi
The Seashell Gallery is located in Tatsukushi, a part of Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Tatsukushi is famous for its unique rock formations shaped over time by wind and waves eroding the sandstone and mudstone. Admired for centuries, this scenic spot has even appeared in travel records from the Edo period.
Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking rock formations created by nature. Under the sea, you’ll find coral reefs at the northernmost limit of their global range, vibrant tropical fish, and shellfish species that are also displayed in The Seashell Gallery. In 2021,Tosashimizu Geopark, including Tatsukushi, became part of Japanese Geoparks Network.
Introducing tourist facilities in Tatsukushi.
Click to visit the official website.
1 Roadside Station "Mejika no Sato”
The place for Tosashimizu’s local specialties and delicious food. About 4 minutes by car.
2 Tatsukushi Visitor Center "Uminowa"
Provides information about the national park and Tosashimizu Geopark. Opened in 2020.
Showcases marine life from the Ashizuri sea and Tatsukushi Bay. Renovated in 2020.
4 Gurutto Tatsukushi West Park
Features large playground equipment, an observation deck, a dog run, and public restrooms. Developed in 2023.
5 Snow Peak Tosashimizu Camp Field (Tsumajiro Campground)
A campground with an adjacent store selling camping gear. Opened in 2019.
6 Ashizuri Kaiteikan Underwater Observatory
Enjoy an underwater view at a depth of 7 meters. Also notable for architectural tourism.
❶ The Seashell Gallery Terrace
A facility with a coffee shop, souvenir shops, traditional candy store, and public restrooms. Opened in 2022. Drinks from the coffee shop can be brought to the terrace seats and benches in the garden area of The Seashell Gallery.
[Public Restrooms in The Seashell Gallery Terrace]
The multipurpose restroom includes an ostomate-friendly facility and a baby seat. The women's restroom has a child-sized urinal and a baby chair.
Enjoy a meal in a nostalgic Japanese retro atmosphere.
A local inn known for its excellent seafood dishes.
❹ Tatsukushi Kanko Kisen (Glass-Bottomed Boat)
Take a glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater scenery on your way to Minokoshi Coast.
❺ Tatsukushi Liquor Store
Sells alcohol with a fill-your-own bottle option.
❻ Tatsuya
A noodle shop famous for its "Katsuo Tataki Abura Soba" (seared bonito oil noodles).
❼ Tatsukushi Tourist Information Center
On weekends and during summer holidays, volunteer guides provide tours of Tatsukushi (in Japanese only).
Enjoy diving and other marine activities, mainly in Tatsukushi Bay.
Introducing notable architecture and scenic spots in Tosashimizu shaped by the local way of life.
Perfect to visit alongside The Seashell Gallery.
Architecture & Scenic Tourism
A. Cape Kanaezaki Lighthouse
This lighthouse was first lit in 1911, preceding the Ashizuri Cape Lighthouse. Over the years, it has undergone changes such as modifications to its light source and automation, yet it still retains its original appearance.
Nearby in Otsu Village, an old wooden school building, now closed, remains as a reminder of the past.
B. Ashizuri Kaiteikan Underwater Observatory
A still-operating underwater observatory that embodies a Japanese retro-futuristic aesthetic. The design of the Ashizuri Kaiteikan Underwater Observatory was influenced by individuals involved in the "Festival Plaza" at the 1970 Osaka Expo.
Constructed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., with structural design supervision by Yoshikatsu Tsuboi, the observatory is now a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
C. Jyubako
A trailer house located within the Snow Peak Tosashimizu Camp Field. Jointly developed by Kengo Kuma and Snow Peak, it is available for stay overnight accommodation
D. Former Coral Museum “Dragon Palace”
A facility that has supported tourism in Tatsukushi, featuring coral exhibitions and sales, as well as a souvenir shop and a restaurant. The authentic colors and carvings on the Chinese traditional-style architecture are particularly striking. Although it closed about 20 years ago, “Dragon Palace” has since gained attention as a beautiful ruin.
E. Former Shimizu High School Martial Arts Hall
With its octagonal stacked framework, layered cypress beams, Tosa plaster, and steel sheet drip edges,
this building is an essential example of mid-scale wooden architecture in Kochi Prefecture during the 1990s.
Designed by Takayo Ageta (Ageta Architectural Office).
F. John Manjiro Birthplace (Reconstruction)
Reconstructed based on photographs, this is a simple, single-story thatched-roof wooden house. Located in the back alleys of a small fishing village, it offers a glimpse into life at the end of the Edo period.
G. Yoshifuku Family Residence
A residence that embodies the characteristics of a Meiji-era (1868-1912) fishing net wholesaler and shipping merchant's house. The stone walls within the premises and surrounding area reflect the unique features of the region. Designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
H. Ashizuri Thermae
A hotel built along the natural contours of a lush hillside near Cape Ashizuri. The accommodation wing, designed by architect Norihiko Dan, was renovated in 2021 while preserving its original character.
I. Cape Ashizuri Lighthouse
A lighthouse first lit in 1914, serving as a symbolic landmark of Tosashimizu tourism. The surrounding promenade and the prefectural road leading to Tsuro form a tunnel-like path through the evergreen forest.
J. The Evergreen Hedges in Tsuro
Wind protection around houses differs between the southern and northern sides of the Ashizuri Peninsula. In the south where John Manjiro’s Birthplace and Yoshifuku Family Residence are located, stone walls are common. In contrast, in the northern Tsuro area, tall hedges far exceeding human height can be seen.