Cape Muroto & Muroto Geopark Center

Outdoor enthusiasts will relish the opportunity to explore Cape Muroto, renowned as one of the country's UNESCO-sponsored Global Geoparks. The cape's name translates to "blessed with great nature" and you'll understand why when you see the cape jutting out over the Pacific Ocean, dividing the Kii Channel and Tosa Bay. Once in the Global Geopark, a guide will share its geologic history. In ancient times, the area was under the sea and the caves formed underwater and later rose by successive earthquakes. A walk on the path offers views of rock formations that were lifted up from the sea floor, subtropical vegetation and underwater caves. For a sacred look at Mother Nature, you'll visit the Mikurodo Cave, believed to be the site where the 8th century Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi attained spiritual enlightenment. Following lunch, you'll climb a sloping trail to the Hotsumisakiji Temple, founded by Kobo Daishi in 807.