Kushimoto (串本町) is a coastal town located in Wakayama (和歌山) Prefecture in western Japan. The center of the town is on a narrow isthmus named Shionomisaki (潮岬), which has the distinction of being the southernmost point of Japan's main island, Honshu (本州).
Shionomisaki Lighthouse (潮岬灯台) is a lighthouse sitting on the top of Shionomisaki, surrounded on both sides by the Pacific Ocean.
The lighthouse was designed by a Scottish named Richard Henry Brunton, who was hired by the government of Japan during the Meiji (明治) period to help construct lighthouses to make Japan safe for foreign ships.
Visitors are allowed to climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the panoramic view of the coastline of Shionomisaki and the Pacific Ocean.
The construction of Shionomisaki Lighthouse was completed in 1870 and first lit in 1873. Due to its hurried construction at a place where sailing was rough, the lighthouse was initially made of wood, but it was rebuilt in 1878 in its current stone structure.
The ground floor of the lighthouse is an exhibition hall, where visitors can learn about the history of the lighthouse.
Shionomisaki Shrine (潮御崎神社) is right next to the Shionomisaki Lighthouse, it is the southernmost shrine of Honshu.
Shionomisaki Shrine was founded in 187, then it was relocated several times, the shrine was rebuilt in 1891 on the current location until now.
