Izuhara was a castle town, and many remnants and features remind visitors of its heraldic legacy. The ruins of Kaneda Castle, dating from the 7th century, are impressive stone-works in the Korean style, since the island lies just offshore of Busan, South Korea. Stone walls also mark the former samurai residential area. Temples abound in the town, including the Hachimangu Shrine marked by a large torii gate in the town center. The town thrives on fishing and pearl culture, and tourism attracted by the dramatic scenery in nearby Aso Bay, the beaches and the chance of seeing the endemic wild Tsushima Leopard Cat.