Do you know about Japan’s three major sand dunes? The three major sand dunes in Japan are the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture, Fukiagehama in Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Shizuoka Prefecture. Among the three sand dunes, Nakatajima Sand Dune is said to be the nesting ground for the precious loggerhead sea turtle.
The Nakatajima Sand Dunes are also famous as a place to watch the sunset and the first sunrise of the year, and the sight of the rising sun and setting sun from the dunes is a thrilling experience. This time, we will introduce in detail the Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Shizuoka, one of Japan’s three major sand dunes and the hometown of loggerhead turtles.
①What is Japan’s three major sand dunes “Nakatajima Sand Dunes”?
Nakatajima Sand Dunes are sand dunes located in Nakatajima-cho, Minami Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Nakatajima Sand Dunes is pronounced as “Nakatajima Sakyu”. The three sand dunes, Nakatajima Sand Dunes, Tottori Sand Dunes, and Fukiagehama Beach, are called Japan’s three major sand dunes.
❶How large is Nakatajima Sand Dunes?
Nakatajima Sand Dunes are part of the Enshu Sea coast facing the Pacific Ocean. It is located between the windmill park zone and kite field park zone of Enshunada Seaside Park. The Enshu Sea coast is approximately 0.6 km from north to south, approximately 4 km from east to west, and has an area of approximately 2.4 km2, which is approximately the size of 51 Tokyo Domes. The Nakatajima Sand Dunes are approximately 0.6 km north to south and 0.8 km east to west on the Enshu Sea coast, and have an area of approximately 0.48 km2, which is approximately the size of 10 Tokyo Domes.
By the way, the area of Tottori Sand Dunes, which is also one of Japan’s three major sand dunes, is approximately 5.5 km2, which is approximately the size of 117 Tokyo Domes. In comparison, the Nakatajima Sand Dunes are approximately 1/11 the size of the Tottori Sand Dunes. If you take a leisurely stroll, you can go around the area in about an hour. After the wind, you can see beautiful patterns unique to sand dunes called “wind ripples” on the sand, so this is a must-see when you visit Nakatajima Sand Dunes.
❷It is often used as a filming location for video works.
Nakatajima Sand Dunes have often been used as filming locations for movies, commercials, promotional videos, and other video productions. The reason is that it has good access from the Tokyo metropolitan area, and is located about 15 minutes by car from Hamamatsu Station, where the Shinkansen stops. There are many movies such as “Tears” starring Ayako Wakao, “Hajimari no Michi”, which depicts director Keisuke Kinoshita in his youth, and “Suna no Utsu”, based on the original work by Seicho Matsumoto. Nakatajima Sand Dunes can be said to be an indispensable sand dune for Japanese video productions.
❸A valuable spawning ground for loggerhead sea turtle.
Nakatajima Sand Dunes is one of the valuable nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles. To be more precise, the target area is the entire Enshunada coast, including the Nakatajima sand dunes. Loggerhead sea turtles are currently listed as an endangered species due to overhunting. In fact, Japan is said to be the only spawning ground for loggerhead sea turtles in the North Pacific Ocean. In particular, it is limited to sandy beaches along the coast of Japan, including the Nakatajima Sand Dunes. For this reason, the Nakatajima Sand Dunes are considered a valuable spawning ground, and NPOs have been established to create a system to protect the area as a whole.
❹“Hamamatsu Festival” event set at Nakatajima Sand Dunes
At the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, the Hamamatsu Festival, an event set in the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, is held every year. Hamamatsu Festival is a festival associated with Children’s Day that aims to pray for the healthy growth of children. It is a traditional event that has continued for 440 years. The event will be held for three days from May 3rd to May 5th every year. A kite flying competition is held at this festival.
❺This place is the first sunrise spot.
Nakatajima Sand Dunes is recommended as a spot to see the first sunrise of the year. Many people visit on New Year’s Day every year. The entrance to the sand dunes is decorated with a large pine tree about 3 meters high, creating a perfect New Year’s mood. By the way, from Hamamatsu Station, there is a special bus that goes to Nakatajima Sand Dunes, and there is also a direct bus to Hamamatsu Station on the way back, so you can see the first sunrise of the year without a car.
➁What is “Tottori Sand Dunes”, one of Japan’s three major sand dunes?
Tottori Sand Dunes are sand dunes located in Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture. Tottori Sand Dunes are said to be one of the largest sand dunes in Japan. It is also one of the most popular sand dunes in Japan, and is full of attractions. We recommend the beautiful “wind patterns” created by nature.
➂What is Fukiage Beach?
Fukiagehama is a sand dune coastline that spans Ichikikushikino City, Hioki City, and Minamisatsuma City in Kagoshima Prefecture. Fukiage Beach is approximately 47 km long, 0.5 to 2.6 km wide, and has an area of 900 ha, which is approximately the size of 192 Tokyo Domes. We recommend the Fukiagehama Sand Festival held every year during Golden Week. The sculptures made from sand are a highlight.
④Access information to Nakatajima Sand Dunes
Here you will find detailed information about access to Nakatajima Sand Dunes. The address of Nakatajima Sand Dunes is 1313 Nakatajima-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
❶Route from Hamamatsu Station to Nakatajima Sand Dunes by car
| Hamamatsu Station (Asahi-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) ⇒ General road ⇒ Nakatajima Sand Dunes |
The total travel distance is approximately 5.0km, and it takes approximately 15 minutes to arrive.
Summary 【Nakatajima Sand Dunes】
This time, we introduced Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Shizuoka, one of Japan’s three major sand dunes and the hometown of loggerhead sea turtles. Nakatajima Sand Dunes is one of Japan’s three major sand dunes, along with Tottori Sand Dunes and Fukiage Beach. What makes Nakatajima Sand Dunes highly recommended is that there are no peninsulas or islands in the way, so you can see the sunrise and sunset directly from the clear horizon. It is especially the best spot to see the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s Day. When you visit Shizuoka Prefecture, why not stop by Nakatajima Sand Dunes?
▲Official site
▲View of Mt. Fuji from Nakatajima Sand Duneswishthing iscan.
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