A dynamic spectacle of columnar joints stretching for approximately 1 kilometer! A truly awe-inspiring sight, ranked among the world's three greatest scenic wonders!
Overview
Tojinbou is a sea cliff facing the Sea of Japan located in Anjima, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. Designated as both a national natural monument and place of scenic beauty, its dramatic, kilometer-long rock face is formed by a breathtaking display of columnar joints of pyroxene andesite—regular hexagonal rock columns. This scale of columnar jointing is found in only three places worldwide, making Tojinbou geologically significant. The name Tojinbou is derived from the name of a Heisenji temple priest who was supposedly thrown into the sea from this location. Besides its grand scale, Tojinbou is also known as a stunning sunset viewing spot, earning a place in the "Japan's Top 100 Sunset Spots." Recently, it's also gained popularity as a location where the "green flash," a brief green glow of the sun as it dips below the horizon, can be observed several times a year. When visiting Tojinbou, you can explore its magnificent views from various angles using the walking paths, observation decks, and sightseeing boats.
Keifuku Bus, Tojinbou Line: Get off at the "Tojinbou" bus stop, then it's a short walk.
Accessible via three stations on the Echizen Railway Mikuni-Ashara Line. From Mikuni Station, take the 84 or 96 bus bound for "Ashara Onsen Station" (approx. 10 minutes). From Mikuni Port Station, take the same bus (approx. 5 minutes). From Awara Yunomachi Station, take the 85 or 97 bus bound for "Ryushou Hakubutsukan-mae" (approx. 30 minutes).
From Awara Onsen Station, connect to the JR West Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Hapirine Fukui Line; take the 85 or 97 bus bound for "Ryushou Hakubutsukan-mae" (approx. 45 minutes).
By car: Approx. 15 minutes from the Kanazu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway (E8). Show route
Op.Hours
All day
Cld.Days
None
Fee
Entrance Fee: Free
Parking: ¥500 per regular car
*¥1,000 per regular car on August 11th
*Parking fees vary by establishment from August 12th to August 17th
INFO
Tojinbo's cliffs are steep and precarious, so please exercise caution when visiting with young children or the elderly. Some areas of the walking path can also be hazardous, so please be mindful of your surroundings.
While Tojinbo is sadly known as a place associated with suicide, significant efforts are now being made to prevent it. There are now poems inscribed on stone monuments and signs encouraging those in distress, as well as 'rescue phones' equipped with phone cards and 10-yen coins to easily make a call for help. If you are struggling with difficult thoughts, please reach out to a support organization; don't face it alone.