Kushimoto Marine Park

Off the Wakayama coast near Kushimoto, the Kuroshio Current carries warm water north from the tropics, allowing some of the world's northernmost table coral communities to survive here. The marine park includes a research center, aquarium, an undersea observation tower, and an underwater sightseeing boat, giving multiple ways to see the roughly 120 coral species and associated fish including clownfish, neon damselfish, and butterflyfish. A sea turtle sanctuary on site protects local turtles and their eggs. Part of the coastline is protected under the Ramsar Convention for wetland conservation.