Hamada’s coast is part of the Hamada Coast Prefectural Natural Park: shallow sandy beaches, steep rocky shores, small islands and a rock terrace that an earthquake lifted out of the sea.
Tatamigaura: the seabed on dry land
Tatamigaura (石見畳ヶ浦) is a vast, flat rock shelf right at the water’s edge, about 4.9 hectares in size. It used to be seabed and was raised out of the water by the Hamada earthquake of 1872. Because of its size, it is also called “Senjōjiki”, the area of a thousand tatami mats.
All over the rock lie round nodules about half a metre across. They formed around fossilised shells and whale bones, which you can still make out in many places. Tatamigaura is a designated Natural Monument of Japan.
Beaches
Kokufu Beach (国府海水浴場): shallow and gently sloping, so good for children, with parking nearby. Barbecues and camping are not allowed, and smoking is banned all day.
Iwami Seaside Park (石見海浜公園): a coastal park with about 5.5 kilometres of shoreline, a swimming beach, a campsite and cabins. Right next door is AQUAS, Shimane Prefecture’s large aquarium.
Rocky shores and islands
West of Kokufu the coast turns steep and rugged, with cliffs and small coves. A section of the Chūgoku Nature Trail runs along here, and for shore fishing it is considered one of the best stretches in the Iwami region.
Off the coast lie small rock islands, left behind when the rock around them eroded away. Two of them are called Inu-jima and Neko-jima, Dog Island and Cat Island.
Which beach suits you?
With children, for fishing, for hiking or simply for the peace and quiet: I’m happy to tell you where to go, in German or English.
Sources: Shimane Prefecture – Hamada Coast Natural Park (Japanese)