Hisuikai Coast

Overview

The Hisuikai Coast in Asahi-machi, Toyama Prefecture, is a coastline facing the Sea of Japan. A 200m wide gravel beach stretches approximately 4km east to west, its beauty earning it a place among Japan's 100 best beaches. The coast's name comes from the jade pebbles that wash ashore, prized as gemstones since ancient times. You might even find your own jade pebble, adding to the treasure-hunt appeal. There are theories about how the jade arrives. One suggests it travels downriver from sources like the Kotakigawa Hisui Gorge and the Hashidate Hisui Gorge, eventually being carried out to sea and washed ashore by waves. Another theory points to serpentine rock formations in the Fossa Magna region (a geological depression in central Honshu) – found in Kotaki and Hashidate – potentially extending to the seabed of the Hisuikai Coast. With its crystal-clear blue waters and white gravel, the Hisuikai Coast is also selected as one of Japan's 100 best bathing beaches by the Ministry of the Environment. It's bustling with swimmers in the summer. Beyond jade hunting and swimming, explore the coastline, enjoy the magnificent scenery, and discover various ways to spend your time. There are also roadside rest areas and minshuku (small family-run inns) nearby, where you can savor the local specialty, tara jiru (cod soup). The Hisuikai Coast, a popular spot attracting visitors seeking beautiful scenery and precious jade, is one of Toyama Prefecture's leading tourist destinations.