Take advantage of the town's beautiful natural sights while engaging in these activities.
1. Christian Cave Cruise
(For information about the Christian Cave Cruise, please visit: https://experiencekamigoto.wixsite.com/guide/post/christian-cave-cruise)
2. Wakamatsu Cruising (Not operating)
NOTE: Cruises are not currently operating to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Prepare to be amazed by the beauty of Kamigoto’s crystal clear, blue ocean and the emerald green waters of the Wakamatsu-Seto Strait. Guests on this boat ride will also see the white brick Kiri Church, the figure of the Holy Mother holding the baby Jesus in “Hari no Mendo,” and the Christian Cave (it may not be possible to disembark at the location of the cave if the sea is rocky).
Duration: About 1.5 hours
Hours & Availability: Available year-round (weather-permitting). Cruises start at 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.
Reservation deadline: 5:00 p.m. the day before
Location: Boat launches from Wakamatsu Port (Google Maps)
Price:￥4,800 for two adults; half price for additional adults.￥2,400 for junior high school students and under.
Participants per reservation: 2 to 6 guests
More Information (external link)
3. Sightseeing Boat
Cruise around the Wakamatsu-seto Strait on the Catherina. Start on the island’s eastern end and head south, crossing under the Wakamatsu Ohashi Bridge. Observe emerald green water, Kiri Church, and the local wildlife. When the weather is nice, it is also possible to go to Hari no Mendo and the Christian Cave. The Catherina also has a cozy cabin with tables and chairs where guests can have a light snack or drink.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Location: Boat launches from Wakamatsu Port (Google Maps)
Reservation Deadline: 9:00 p.m. the day before
Price:￥3000 per person for a group of seven or more. Please inquire for groups of six or fewer.
Participants per reservation: up to 12 guests
Reservation form (external link)
4. Boat fishing
Enjoy spending time in nature while boat fishing in one of the best fishing spots in all of Japan. There are many places to find red sea bream year-round, and depending on the season, it is also possible to catch high-quality Hong Kong grouper and yellow grouper. Live bait is not used, so even beginners can feel comfortable giving fishing a try.
Duration: 3 hours
Hours & Availability: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round
Reservation Deadline: two days in advance
Location: the waters around Kamigoto (meeting point is Hiyamizu Port or Aokata Port)
Equipment rentals:￥2500 per person
Please wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty.
Price per person:
Reservation form (external link)
5. Shore fishing
Kamigoto is considered the mecca of shore fishing. Enjoy this style of fishing in the great outdoors under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor. Beginners welcome.
Duration: 4 hours
Availability: year-round
Reservation Deadline: three days in advance
Location: various locations around Shinkamigoto (determined at the time of reservation). Meeting point is Goto Udon no Sato, Tainoura Port, or Aokata Port.
Price (including rentals): ￥6,700
Participants per reservation: Equipment available for up to three participants
Reservation form (external link)
6. Hamaguri Beach Activities
Enjoy stand up paddle boarding, clear sea kayaking, water tricycles, and other marine sports at the grand Hamaguri Beach, which is voted among the top 100 swimming beaches in Japan. Equipment can be rented from Hamaguri Deck, a casual café and gathering place for the local community.
Location: Hamaguri Deck (Google Maps)
Hours & Availability: May through October. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the summer and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the winter. Closed Tuesdays.
Price:￥2,800 for SUP rental (1 hour);￥1,500 for clear kayak rental (20 min);￥2,800 for water tricycle (30 min)
Equipment can be reserved/rented on site.
7. Diving Tutorials
Come discover white sands, coral reefs, and all kinds of marine life under the sea during this private lesson. Participants can choose to practice in a location just in front of the diving shop or go out on a boat to explore different parts of the ocean. 25 minutes away by boat, there is a stretch of brilliant soft coral that looks like a field of flowers.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Hours & Availability: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. year-round, weather-permitting (excludes December 20th through January 7th). Closed Tuesdays.
Reservation Deadline: 1:00 p.m. the day before
Location: Ocean around Kamigoto; Meeting point is Goto Diving Center Nice Buddy (Google Maps)
Price per person:￥10,000 to dive in front of the shop;￥15,000 to dive in Aoki (10-min boat ride);￥18,000 to dive in Takigahara (25-min boat ride). Please indicate the number of participants in the reservation form.
For the summer, please wear a swimsuit and bring a towel and change of clothes. For the winter, please bring clothing that is easy to move around in, long socks, and a towel (clothing with no zippers, buttons or collars is recommended).
Reservation form (external link)
8. Boat Diving (for C-card holders)
Due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, aquatic life found in the southern hemisphere as well as the Sea of Japan converge around this area to create a dynamic diving experience unique to the Goto Islands. Certified divers, or C-card holders, can enjoy a thrilling dive 30 minutes away from the island by boat.
Duration: 1 day
Hours & Availability: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. year-round, weather-permitting (excludes December 20th through January 7th). Closed Tuesdays.
Reservation Deadline: 1:00 p.m the day before
Location: Waters around Kamigoto; Meeting point is Goto Diving Center Nice Buddy (Google Maps)
Price: Starts from ￥16,500 per person
Participants per session: 1 to 13
Please bring towels, a change of clothes, and diving equipment (rentals available)
Reservation form (external link)
9. Island Yoga
Enjoy yoga in various natural locations or temples throughout Kamigoto. Beginners and advanced yogis alike can refresh their bodies and minds with lessons that target individual needs and preferences.
Location: temples in town, private studio, Hamagurihama Beach, etc. (please indicate preference in reservation form)
Duration: 1 hour
Hours & Availability: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Beach yoga available from March through October. Temple yoga and private studio yoga available year-round.
Reservation Deadline: three days in advance
Price:￥3,500 for beach yoga;￥1,500 for temple yoga;￥4,800 for private sessions (2 or fewer individuals)
Participants per session: 1 to 10 participants per session (capacity varies based on location)
Participants should be in good physical condition and wear clothing that is easy to move around in.
Reservation form (external link)
10. Experiential Stay at a “Minpaku”
Minpaku are private residences that host guests for a couple of days. Much like a homestay, guests typically eat meals and share bathrooms and living spaces with the resident family. Minpaku allow guests to interact with local residents and witness their daily life at a leisurely pace. Some minpaku also offer fishing or farming experiences.
Highlight: Goto Retto B&B
On a nice day, go out on a boat and try a fishing or net-pulling experience, then take your catch back to the lodge and learn how to prepare your own sashimi or grilled fish. Watch with suspense as octopus pots are collected to see if any of the traps are occupied. You can also harvest seasonal vegetables for dinner. No matter what you eat, it is bound to be fresh and local.
Price per night:￥7500 (activities start at ￥2500)
Photos & Location (external link)
For reservations, please send an inquiry to the Shinkamigoto Town Tourism Association.
11. Cycling in Kamigoto
Enjoy the refreshing breeze of the great outdoors with an electric-assist bicycle. Bicycles provide an intimate way to explore the island because riders can view the scenery unencumbered by the frame of a car and stop to take pictures freely. Empowered by electric-assist, riders can conquer steep hills with ease.
Duration: 3 hours (can be extended)
Hours & Availability: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round (excluding New Year’s Day).
Location: Shinkamigoto Town Tourism Association (Google Maps)
Price: ￥800 for 3 hours;￥300 per additional hour
No advance reservations are required, but day-of rentals are subject to availability.
Bicycles will not be collected from alternate locations. Please rent and return bicycles within business hours.
Please abide by traffic laws while riding bicycles in town.
Reservation form (external link)
12. Hiking
Enjoy trekking up the side of some of the prominent mountains in Shinkamigoto to be rewarded with an excellent view. Most mountains, including Bandake and Mt. Sanno, have trails to the top. It is safer to hike with other people, but those who do not have hiking companions can sign up to go trekking with an experienced guide at Goto Adventure Inn.
13. Footbath “Goyukkuri”
Near Narao Port, there is a shallow footbath filled with water from local hot springs that is about 40 degrees centigrade. This little pavillion provides respite for the travel weary and is a convenient place to wait for a boat. In Japanese, “goyukkuri” means, “take your time.” Take a moment to relax at this free footbath and leave exhaustion behind. Just remember to bring a towel!
Location: Adjacent to the road leading to Narao Port (Google Maps)
Price: free
14. Stargazing in Kamigoto
Enjoy clear, night skies and constellations not ordinarily visible from urban centers. Kurosaki Park Lookout and other remote parts of the island removed from light sources offer the most promising views of the night sky. Beware of deer and wild boar, which become active at night.
15. Wakamatsu-Seto Strait Stargazing Cruise
Take in the sight of countless stars scattered across the dark blue night sky from the tranquility of the Wakamatsu-Seto Strait. Enjoy a romantic evening or become one with nature during this breathtaking experience that cannot be replicated in the city.
Duration: 2 hours (8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Hours & Availability: year-round (excluding August 13-15, December 30 to Jan 4). Cruise may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Reservation Deadline: the day before
Location: Boat launches from Wakamatsu Port (Google Maps)
Price:￥6,500 for adults;￥4,000 for junior high students and under
Participants per reservation: 2 to 6 guests
For reservations, please send an inquiry to the Shinkamigoto Town Tourism Association.