Cape Shionomisaki

Cape Shionomisaki

Cape Shionomisaki is the southernmost cape on the island of Honshu facing the Pacific Ocean, located near Nachikatsuura Town in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The area around the cape enjoys a mild winter climate and features subtropical vegetation including banyan trees and palm trees, as well as temperate laurel forests, creating exceptionally beautiful scenery. Together with Kii-Oshima Island, it is one of the most representative tourist destinations at the southern tip of Wakayama Prefecture.

The cape has a plateau-like shape, offering not only stunning scenery but also a wealth of cultural attractions, including Japan’s oldest stone lighthouse — Cape Shionomisaki Lighthouse — and a museum room. The lighthouse was built during the Meiji era by Richard Henry Brunton, a British engineer hired by the Meiji government to construct lighthouses across Japan, earning him the title “Father of Japanese Lighthouses.” The Shionomisaki Lighthouse was first lit on September 15, 1873, and for over 130 years, it has guided ships navigating through these waters. The lighthouse features an observation deck, where visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the vast Pacific Ocean.

Shionomisaki

Must-visit reason: The most representative attraction in southern Wakayama Prefecture

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Prefecture/state where the attraction is located: Wakayama Prefecture [Wakayama Prefecture]