Kotohikihama Beach, Kyoto

Do you know “naki-suna” (squeaking sand) that sounds when you walk along the coast? The sandy beach of “squeaking sand” is in all over Japan, and there may be some people who have already experienced, but the manner of singing Kotohikihama beach in Amino Town in the Tango peninsula is particularly amazing. Even if the wind blows it sounds squeaky enough to produce a sound.
Such a “Kotohikihama Beach” has a white and beautiful beach with a total length of 1,800 meters. The waves are calm, the sea is clear and beautiful, and shelving bottom, so it’s perfect for bathing with children. If you look under the sea with underwater glasses you will see the fish swimming and you will see that there are more hermit crabs and crabs in the rocky shadows. It will be a great playground for children with curiosity. There is not much crowding here, so you can relax and enjoy it.
This beach, known for squeaking sand, is said to be named “Kotohikihama” because it emits sounds like playing the “koto” (a long Japanese zither). It is designated as a scenic / natural monument of the country. And it is such a wonderful place that it is chosen as “Japan’s 100 Best Beaches with White Sand and Blue Pine”, “Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Beaches” and “100 selections of soundscape in Japan”.
Although this beach is satisfactory enough only by “squeaking sand” and “beautiful beach”, in reality there is another big appeal. That is, “Natural squeaking sand hot spring” which is a natural outdoor bath that you can take a free bath is on the beach. It is an alkaline simple hot spring, fresh hot spring water. You can take a bath while swimwear.
The location where you can watch the ocean and the time you can share with friends and family who play together in the ocean is really fun. The temperature of the bath is a bit high, but it is the best for a body that has been chilled by playing in the sea.

Famous for squeak sand

The Kotohikihama beach is famous for naki-suna (the sand making sounds when people walk on it) and is also a beautiful spot with white sand. The mechanism to squeak when you walk is because the rubbing of the particles of the sand including a lot of quality of quartz which being washed in beautiful sea water. There were the beach of naki-suna everywhere in Japan, but only in a few is left now because many of them were fouled by drainage from the household etc.
It is said that the garbage of sands is the greatest enemy to maintain naki-suna. So local people make an effort and always clean the beach neatly.

Spring after shaved off by wild waves of the Sea of Japan is the best to visit

If you walk as sand is rubbed against a sole, it will squeak well. As for the season, spring after it was shaved off by wild waves of the Sea of Japan is the best. It requires that the weather is so good, and sand should have got dry well.

Natural open-air bath can be used for free

The Kotohikihama is famous also as swimming beach. The transparency of water is conspicuous and beauty can be realized on the day the wave is calm.
Moreover, there is a natural open-air bath which can be used for free. Since it is allowed to enter with a swimming suit worn, this hot spring warms the body which got cold by swimming in the sea.

The on-site training facility featured the theme of squeaking sand

The Kotohikihama naki-suna cultural hall is the on-site training facility featured the theme of squeaking sand. There is an experience corner of naki-suna, and even if it rains, squeaking sand can be experienced in this cultural hall. Moreover, a minute shellfish, foraminifera, etc. inhabiting Kotohikihama are observable in it.

The beautiful sunset especially in the evening

Although sandy beach of Kotohikihama are beautiful, the surrounding scene of the sea is also beautiful and it can see the spectacle of beautiful sunset especially in the evening.

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