Journey to the Southernmost beach of Honshu: Hashigaiwa and Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa

From “Lucky's Picture Diary
Travel in Kushimoto (1)
I heard that the beaches in Kushimoto, the southernmost tip of Honshu, is amazing.
Master Da Yoda asked me to go somewhere since he was open this week, so I requested to go to Kushimoto.
Master Da Yoda looked up Kushimoto on Google Maps and seemed a little intimidated. I saw a little hesitation on his face.. Is it too far?
We drove from Osaka to Kushimoto in a rental car. Since I live in the Kanto region, I was not familiar with the area.
We drove along the coastal road, endlessly.
Once we entered Wakayama, we found the coast to be very scenic and it was a very pleasant drive, but Master Da Yoda must have gotten tired. Sorry, bro.
It was just around noon when we arrived at Hashigui-Iwa Beach, which is close to today's hotel.
We pitched our tent on the beach and ate lunch boxes we picked up at a convenience store along the way. I had a grated pork cutlet bento, and Master Da Yoda had a Fried Chicken bento. Both were about 500 yen, the meat was juicy, and the rice was good.
From the Hashigui-Iwa Beach, the famous Hashigui-Iwa can be seen. The view is very scenic.
Because it is a sandy beach, the water clarity was low and there were not many fish. This is a perfect beach to enjoy marine leisure activities and float on the waves.
After that, we walked to Hashikaiwa.
What a view! Gigantic rocks standing to the sky are lined up in a row toward Oshima Island.
About 14 million years ago, the magma that flowed to the surface of the earth cooled and hardened, and over the years it eroded, creating a landscape that looks like a straight line of bridge girders.
I have never seen such a view before. When I entered Wakayama, I often saw signs that read “Hashigui-Iwa,” which is a tourist attraction to be proud of.
A swallow glides happily over the towering rock. It was an exhilarating view that seemed to spread my mind far and wide.
Our lodging for the day was the Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa, located on high ground.
It is a beautiful white hotel that just reopened after renovation in April 2024.
When you enter the hotel, you will see a spacious lobby with a lounge on the far side, and a garden and pool on the other side of the glass wall.
In the lounge you can enjoy free-flowing drink service, with a draft beer server, highballs, and well-chilled sparkling wine as well as soft drinks. Is this paradise?
We immediately enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine after checking in.
We reserved a room on the ocean side. This was a good choice. A magnificent view of Hashigui-Iwa from far above was spread out from the window. They really line up in a straight line toward Oshima Island.
After arriving at the hotel, I was so impressed that I kept exclaiming “Powsome!"
The pool was also nice. There were chairs with parasols and reclining chairs. There was an air pump, and the resident lifesaver inflated the float for us.
Floating in the pool, drinking sparkling wine and beer, and gazing at the spectacular view of the Hashikaiwa rock formation. It was, to put it mildly, the best.
After enjoying the pool, we separately headed to take the hot spring bath. This hot spring was also great. The open-air bath also had a view of the ocean.
After refreshing in the bath, we relaxed in the room with a great view until dinner.
Now it's time to feast.
Seating is free, and there is no time limit. The buffet meals were all wonderfully delicious, and I thought it was the best buffet meal I had ever had. I really liked the roast beef with truffle egg yolk sauce.
We watched the sky change colors from dusk to night as we ate.
We were not obliged to eat or drink in time, but rather to carefully select each dish and savor it slowly and leisurely, as each dish was delicious.
My stomach and heart were filled with deliciousness and happiness, and my heart seemed to be enriched and flourished.
Ah, this is what a resort is all about, isn't it?
It was worth coming all the way here!