The Geography of Ebisu Cave
The cave lies inside a prominent rocky hill rising 52 meters above sea level at the entrance to Tai Bay. The cavern measures approximately 32 meters wide and 31 meters high. It is divided into two openings, and the cave on the left extends 48 meters into the rock, with another opening at the far end.
The surrounding rocks provide habitat for the Pacific swift, a bird known in Japanese as the iwatsubame. Visitors may have an opportunity to observe these birds in their natural environment.
A walking trail climbs the rocky hill to an observation platform at the summit. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Tokushima’s natural landscape, including the broad sandy shore of Ohama Beach and the vast Pacific Ocean. The combination of the sea cave, rugged cliffs, and ocean views makes Ebisu Cave a rewarding stop for nature lovers and photographers.
Nearby Attraction: Ohama Beach
Ohama Beach is a beautiful sandy beach approximately 500 meters long in Hiwasaura, Minami Town. It is particularly famous as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles and is nationally designated as a Natural Monument under the name “Sea Turtles and Their Nesting Ground at Ohama Beach.” The beach has also been selected for the 100 Best Beaches in Japan and the 88 Waterfront Sites of Shikoku.
The Beach and Its Surroundings
The name Ohama means “large beach,” while a smaller beach near the mouth of the Hiwasa River is known as Kohama. Just offshore, the small island of Tatejima adds another distinctive feature to the coastal scenery. According to local history, it was once possible to walk to the island at low tide.
A Protected Sea Turtle Nesting Ground
Ohama Beach is one of the region’s best-known nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles. It was designated a National Natural Monument in 1967, and in 1996 it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Beaches.
To protect nesting turtles, access restrictions are imposed each year from May 20 to August 20 under applicable conservation laws and local ordinances. Entry to the beach and vehicle access may be prohibited during this period, helping to reduce disturbance to the turtles and their nesting habitat.
Changes in Sea Turtle Activity
Records of loggerhead sea turtles coming ashore at Ohama Beach have been kept since 1950. The highest recorded number was 308 landings in 1968. Numbers gradually declined, falling to double digits after 1996 and eventually to single digits in more recent years.
In 2018, no nesting was recorded for the first time since records began. In 2023, no turtles came ashore. These changes have raised concerns about the condition of the nesting environment and the challenges facing sea turtle conservation.
There was an encouraging development on June 12, 2024, when a sea turtle came ashore and laid eggs at the beach for the first time in two years. This event renewed hopes among local residents and conservation groups and highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to protect the habitat.
Exploring the Coast of Minami Town
Access to Ebisu Cave and Ohama Beach
Ebisu Cave and Ohama Beach are approximately five minutes by car from JR Hiwasa Station on the Mugi Line. Their proximity makes them convenient stops when exploring the coastal scenery of southern Tokushima.
The wider Minami Town area also features walking trails and observation points where visitors can enjoy changing seasonal landscapes. Nearby fishing ports and small uninhabited islands offer further opportunities to discover the region’s coastal character.
Discovering Nunoshima Island
Nunoshima is an uninhabited island off Nishiyuki in Minami Town. It forms part of Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park and has a distinctive natural landscape shaped by its coastal terrain and vegetation.
The Island’s Natural Features
The character used in the island’s name, “nuno” (箆), refers to the bamboo traditionally used to make arrows. The island was once known for the abundance of this arrow bamboo.
The southern side of the island features sea-eroded cliffs, while the northern side is covered with ubame oak trees. A sandy beach stretches along the western side, where local junior high school students once enjoyed camping during the summer.
A Former Island Settlement
People began settling on Nunoshima in the middle of the Edo period (1603–1868). A small community and farmland developed on the eastern side of the island, and some families continued farming there until shortly after World War II. The island became uninhabited in 1960.
Traces of its former community remain, including the ruins of a settlement known locally as Nakamura, along with Shimagashira Shrine and Tenjin Shrine. Shimagashira Shrine is affectionately called “Ryujin-san,” or the Dragon God, by local people. In the past, worshippers traditionally made offerings of eggs at the shrine.
Experience the Natural Beauty of Minami Town
Ebisu Cave and Ohama Beach showcase the striking coastal scenery and rich natural heritage of Minami Town, Tokushima Prefecture. At Ebisu Cave, visitors can explore an impressive sea cavern and enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Nearby Ohama Beach offers a beautiful shoreline and an opportunity to learn about the conservation of endangered sea turtles.
Nunoshima adds another dimension to the area’s appeal, with its uninhabited landscape and traces of a former island community. Together, these destinations offer a memorable way to experience the nature, history, and coastal culture of southern Tokushima. Visitors should check local access restrictions before traveling, especially during the sea turtle nesting season.