Nijinomatsubara (Rainbow Pine Grove)

Overview

Nijinomatsubara is one of Japan's Three Great Pine Groves (the others being Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka Prefecture and Kehi no Matsubara in Fukui Prefecture), located along the coast of Karatsu Bay in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Approximately 1 million Japanese black pine trees (kuro-matsu) stretch in an arc for about 4.5km, creating a stunning landscape that complements the azure waters of Karatsu Bay and the white sandy coastline. Its origins date back to the early Edo period when Terazawa Hirotaka, the lord of Karatsu Domain, planted the pines as part of a new land development project, serving as windbreaks and sand barriers. Under the protection of the feudal lord, strict rules were in place – felling trees was punishable by death, and even collecting fallen leaves for fuel was heavily restricted. Even after changes in the ruling family due to transfers or dismissals, the pine grove continued to be meticulously managed. Almost the entire area is now designated as a protection forest, and felling remains restricted. Because of its length, Nijinomatsubara was called "Niri Matsubara" (Two-Ri Pine Grove – Ri being an old unit of length) during the Edo period. The origin of the name "Nijinomatsubara" (Rainbow Pine Grove), which came into use during the Meiji period, is unclear. From the 1960s onward, the pine wood nematode, spread by the Japanese pine sawyer beetle (matsuma-darakamikiri), caused widespread damage, leading to the death of numerous mature pine trees. To combat this, annual aerial spraying of pesticides and the removal of affected trees have been carried out, demonstrating the significant effort and cost required to maintain the pine grove. Nijinomatsubara continues to be beloved for its history and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the pine grove, relaxing on the beach and breathing in the sea breeze. An adjacent beach is popular for swimming in the summer. It's also a popular driving route, offering stunning views of Karatsu Bay.