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Kashiwajima
柏島 · Ōtsuki, Kōchi
'Boats floating in the air': a hidden sea in Shikoku as clear as Okinawa's
Know before you go
- Taboos: making noise, fishing and leaving rubbish on the harbour breakwaters, and being loud at night (fishing villages keep early hours).
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Why it’s popular
An outlying island at the far south-western tip of Kōchi Prefecture (linked to the mainland by bridge), more than 3 hours' drive from Kōchi city — its remoteness has spared it from mass tourism. The water's transparency averages 20 m and reaches up to 40 m, with about 1,000 species of fish; divers call it 'a sea you must dive once in your life', yet ordinary visitors know little of it.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Kashiwajima is part of Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park; the Kuroshio current and the Bungo Channel meet here, bringing rich fishing grounds, and the island is a traditional set-net fishing village; the remarkable sight of 'boats seemingly floating in the air' comes from pure seawater with no pollution from household waste.
Local customs
- Book snorkelling and diving through licensed local shops — don't go in alone
- don't touch or step on coral
- take all rubbish off the beach
- don't get in the way of fishermen working in the harbour.
Religion & beliefs
No particular religion. The fishing village has a faith in 'safety at sea', and locals pray silently before going out.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
Taboos: making noise, fishing and leaving rubbish on the harbour breakwaters, and being loud at night (fishing villages keep early hours).
Locals appreciate DO
Minshuku and dive-shop owners appreciate guests who 'book ahead and are punctual'
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | May–October is best (swimming in summer; in winter the water is even clearer but cold) |
|---|---|
| Getting there | From JR Kōchi Station to Sukumo Station, then about 40 minutes by rental car or taxi — we strongly recommend driving |
Travel tips
- May–October is best (swimming in summer
- in winter the water is even clearer but cold)
- access: from JR Kōchi Station to Sukumo Station, then about 40 minutes by rental car or taxi — we strongly recommend driving
- there are few minshuku on the island, so be sure to book ahead in peak season
- the Ōdōyama observation deck gives a panorama of Kashiwajima.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
The small fishing island has no restaurant scene to speak of — meals are mainly at minshuku
Must-try
- Sashimi / grilled fish
- Katsuo no tataki (seared bonito)
- Shimizu mackerel
Sashimi / grilled fish (the day's catch), katsuo no tataki (seared bonito, a speciality of nearby Kōchi), Shimizu saba (mackerel, seasonal), seafood dinners at island minshuku
| Where to eat | Minshuku on Kashiwajima (meals included with rooms), restaurants in Ōtsuki town / Sukumo city |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Don't eat or linger in the working areas of the fishing harbour; follow the rules of dive shops and fishing households; take rubbish back |
| Typical price per person | Minshuku dinners are included with the room; a meal on its own JPY 2,500–4,000 ≈ CNY 113–180 |
| Tips | Without minshuku meals there's almost no dinner option, so be sure to book ahead; bonito season is best in spring and autumn. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
ayustety from Tokyo, JAPAN · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photos
Photos
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Saigen Jiro · CC0
FC dc desu · CC BY-SA 3.0
国土地理院 · Attribution
Sources & verification notes
In-depth research on Japanese sights (2026-10-15). Sources: nta.co.jp Tripa.
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