Hakusan Island is a beautiful uninhabited island located just offshore from Yura Beach in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture. The island is believed to have been formed by volcanic activity approximately 30 million years ago, when basalt emerged from beneath the sea. It is also known as Oshima.
Hakusan Island is located approximately 170 meters from the sandy beach of Yura. A distinctive vermilion pedestrian bridge connects the beach to the island, allowing visitors to walk across the sea to explore it. The combination of the bridge, blue ocean, white sand, and rocky island creates such a picturesque scene that Hakusan Island is often called the “Enoshima of Tohoku.”
A walking trail runs around the island, and completing the circuit at a leisurely pace takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Visitors can enjoy the sea breeze and natural scenery, while sunset offers a particularly beautiful view as the sun sinks over the Sea of Japan. During summer, the bridge is illuminated for a limited period, creating a magical atmosphere after dark.
Hakusan Island is an uninhabited rocky island located approximately 100 meters northwest of Yura Beach. It measures about 135 meters across, has a circumference of approximately 836 meters, and rises to about 72 meters above sea level.
Formed over a very long period of geological activity, the rocky island has a distinctive presence when viewed from the shore. The 170-meter vermilion bridge connecting the beach and island is itself one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks.
Walking across the bridge provides an exhilarating sense of openness, as if you are traveling directly across the surface of the Sea of Japan.
Hakusan Shrine stands at the top of Hakusan Island. Visitors can climb approximately 270 stone steps to reach the shrine, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of the Sea of Japan.
The elevated viewpoint offers beautiful scenery over the surrounding ocean and allows visitors to appreciate both the island’s natural environment and the vastness of the sea. The walk to the shrine is also an opportunity to experience the quiet atmosphere and natural landscape that make Hakusan Island distinctive.
One of Hakusan Island’s greatest attractions is its scenery at sunset. Yura Beach has been selected as one of the “100 Best Beaches in Japan”, and its white sand, blue water, and offshore Hakusan Island form a beautiful coastal landscape.
As evening approaches, the setting sun illuminates the island and creates striking silhouettes of the rocky shore and bridge against the sea. The atmosphere becomes quieter and more serene than during the bright daytime hours, making sunset an especially memorable time to visit.
The waters around Yura are known for their abundant variety of fish and are popular with anglers. Visitors can enjoy everything from casual family fishing to more serious rock fishing and boat fishing.
Rock fishing in the area can yield species such as horse mackerel, Japanese whiting, greenling, filefish, sea bream, black sea bream, and broad squid.
Visitors can also join a recreational fishing boat to target species such as red sea bream, young yellowtail, rockfish, flounder, and Japanese whiting.
The species available vary according to the season and sea conditions, allowing visitors to experience the changing bounty of the Sea of Japan.
Hakusan Island also has a marine fishing pond, making it possible for visitors to enjoy sea fishing without necessarily taking part in more demanding rock or boat fishing. It is a convenient option for those looking for a more relaxed fishing experience.
Yura Beach, where Hakusan Island is located, is a beautiful sandy beach that has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 Best Swimming Beaches.” The clean sandy shore attracts many visitors during the summer bathing season.
One of the special features of Yura Beach is the opportunity to swim while looking directly toward Hakusan Island. The combination of the blue sea, white sand, and island offshore creates an iconic summer landscape.
The waters around Yura are also known as one of Tohoku’s notable diving destinations. Diving is available from April through October, when divers can encounter marine life such as seahorses and humphead wrasse.
During summer, young boxfish and angelfish can also be seen. The underwater environment offers a completely different perspective on Hakusan Island from the scenery visible above the water.
For visitors interested in marine life, diving provides an opportunity to discover the natural world beneath the Sea of Japan and experience the coastal environment from a different angle.
During July and August, the sightseeing boat Yōseimaru Glass Boat operates from the fishing port on Hakusan Island.
The cruise explores the coastline of Yaotomeura, where visitors can see dramatic cliffs, caves, and other coastal formations that are difficult to appreciate from land.
Traveling by boat provides a leisurely way to observe the mysterious scenery created by the meeting of the sea and rugged rock walls, revealing another side of the Yura coastline.
Near Hakusan Island, the Yura coast is home to Yura Onsen, a seaside hot spring area with hotels, traditional ryokan inns, and smaller guesthouses. Located beside one of the scenic areas of the Shonai coast, the resort is convenient for combining hot spring bathing with swimming, sightseeing, and sunset viewing.
Yura Beach has been recognized as one of Japan’s “100 Best Beaches,” “100 Best Swimming Beaches,” and “100 Best Sunset Spots.” The area is therefore particularly appealing to visitors who want to enjoy beautiful coastal scenery.
Yura Onsen also has a friendly, traditional atmosphere and includes a public bathhouse. Some accommodations serve dishes prepared with fresh seafood landed at Yura Fishing Port, allowing visitors to experience not only the scenery but also the food culture of the Shonai coast.
The area around Hakusan Island is associated with a traditional legend concerning Prince Hachiko, who is regarded in local tradition as the founder of the religious tradition of Dewa Sanzan.
According to the legend, approximately 1,400 years ago, Prince Hachiko arrived in this area after fleeing from pursuers. Eight beautiful maidens are said to have welcomed him by playing flutes.
The place where the eight maidens danced became known as Yaotomeura, literally associated with the “eight maidens.” The legend also says that the name Yura originated from the prince’s landing at this location.
Today, Yaotomeura retains not only its beautiful natural coastline but also these stories passed down through generations. Learning about the local legends while visiting Hakusan Island can add another dimension to the experience of the landscape.
Hakusan Shrine holds its annual Grand Festival on April 29. The traditional event is said to have a history of more than 500 years and is held to honor the deity of the sea and pray for a plentiful fishing season.
During the festival, young men carry a portable shrine through the local community. The energetic procession creates a lively atmosphere, while the climax of the event includes a scene in which the portable shrine is carried into the sea.
The festival vividly demonstrates the close relationship between the people of Yura, the sea, and the local religious traditions.
Hakusan Island is the scenic symbol of Yura Coast, bringing together distinctive volcanic geology, a striking vermilion bridge, Hakusan Shrine, and spectacular sunsets over the Sea of Japan.
Visitors can simply walk around the island and enjoy its scenery, or take part in a variety of marine activities, including swimming, rock fishing, diving, and sightseeing cruises. Nearby Yura Onsen also offers accommodation and fresh seafood cuisine, making it easy to combine coastal sightseeing with hot spring bathing and local food.
At sunset, the view of the sun sinking into the Sea of Japan behind Hakusan Island is particularly beautiful. With its combination of coastal nature, island scenery, history, legends, marine activities, and hot spring culture, Hakusan Island is one of the signature destinations of Yura and the Shonai coast.