Kashiwajima can be reached by land via a bridge from the peninsula in Otsuki Town.
Photo by Kazushi Matsuno (Kashiwajima Diving Service AQUAS)

Kashiwajima, located off the coast of Otsuki Town in Kochi Prefecture, on the southwestern tip of Shikoku, is a popular diving area that consistently ranks in the top 10 in the “Best Diving Areas in Japan” category of the Marine Diving Awards, chosen by Japanese divers. Diving spots are scattered on the north coast of the island, and on the coast of Otsuki Town on the Shikoku side.

The Silver siphonfish was first discovered in Japan around Kashiwajima Island. It is a small cardinalfish, measuring about 4cm in length. Photo by Kazushi Matsuno (Kashiwajima Diving Service AQUAS)

Kashiwajima is located in the area where the Bungo Channel, which flows between Shikoku and Kyushu, meets the Pacific Ocean. Nutrients from the abundant forests that extend to the coast are carried into the sea by rivers and springs, making it known as a fertile sea. Furthermore, there are many calm bay-like waters that are ideal for fish and marine life, and the varied depths of the waters mean that many different fish species live there.

You can also see pygmy seahorses, whose Japanese name has been proposed as Kodamatatsu. Photo by Tsugio Meguro (Kashiwajima Diving Service SEAZOO)

According to Mr. Kazushi Matsuno of Kashiwajima Diving Service AQUAS, “The greatest attraction of Kashiwajima is the large variety of fish that live there. The number is increasing every year and now exceeds 1,300 species.” In terms of the number of fish species as a diving area, it is one of the top in Japan after the Okinawa Islands.

Another attraction of Kashiwajima is that fish that have been named as the first recorded species in Japan can be commonly seen around the island.

Enjoy the special feature article introducing the charms of the sea around Kashiwajima with the translation function.

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