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About Kochi
Kochi is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku.
It comprises the southwestern part of the island of Shikoku, facing the Pacific Ocean. Most of the province is mountainous, and few areas such as around Kōchi and Nakamura has the coastal plain.
7% of the area was designated as Natural Parks, such as the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park,Ishizuchi, Muroto-Anan Kaigan, and Tsurugisan Quasi-National Parks and eighteen Prefectural Natural Parks.
Japan's Macro heaven
The Otsuki/Kashiwajima area still has many untouched nature areas and protected by the national park. This small Island 4km Island is connected to the main Island by 2 small bridges .
Due to the unique location between the Black current and the Bugo channel, Kashiwajima is an ideal place for the underwater creatures. Many Japanese divers from all around Japan come here to dive with the rare critters. The fact that there are over 10 diving service on this 4km Island , shows this diving areas potential. It is said that you can see 1,000types of fishes and underwater critters in this area.
Located 10min away by boat from the Kashiwajima area, Amaji is a small quiet fishing village. You can entry from the pier in front of the diving service. Here you can see the ocean floor filled with beautiful corals. All diving area is within 5-15min.
Having a large reef with depth range from 3m to 28m, Kannoura offers divers with variety of marine critures. The most rare and popular is the Whitespotted bambooshark(Chiloscyllium plagiosum) which is said that, this is the only place in Japan you may encounter them spawn.(Between May through to July).
Located on the Pacific side, Kashinishi has many dynamic underwater rock formations giving it an ideal location for large schooling fishes. Macro marine life is also abundant with many variety of nudibranch found in this area.
Muroto is famous as a International Geopark since 2011. The location is unique as it is the southern tip of Shikoku, where the Black current collide directly. From this reason, the water here has high visibility and many large size schooling fishes are found at this location. There are over 30, 3m2 underwater artificial fish reef here, giving protections to smaller fishes.
A boat diving point located on the Pacific side of Kochi, Okitsu uses 2 ports depending of the wind conditions. This make it a reliable diving location with less chance of cancellation due to wind. Underwater, it offers both macro and large schooling fishes.
Shiwa is located very close to the highway interchange(Exit), making it an easy access to diving by car. The boat diving are dynamic and beach diving more relaxed. You can enjoy night diving at the beach as well.
With over 50 diving spots from all around this area, Tachibanaura can satisfy all kinds of divers. From Macro creatures to the large schooling fishes, the ocean is filled with marine life.
Dive where the Black current directly arrives first in Japan
This area is a popular Onsen area where it's fame started 1200 years ago. The Ocean around this region, "Tatsukushi underwater National Park" was designated as the first Japanese Underwater National Park.
At the South West tip of Shikoku
Located 23km off the coast of Shukumo, Kochi prefecture, the 6km Island itself is a National Park. The Island is surrounded by beautiful corals which are protected by the local government.
The Black current brings in the tropical life from the south adn amoung them are the rare critters.
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