Strange white-green rocks and huge rocks stand like Buddha along the coast for more than 2 km.
Each of the odd-shaped rocks is named after the image of the Pure Land, such as “Buddha’s Head,” “Five Hundred Arhats,” “Gokuraku Beach,” etc. The rocks were erupted from an undersea volcano 15 million years ago.
They were formed 15 million years ago when volcanic ash erupted from an undersea volcano, which was then scraped away by rain and waves.
It is designated as a national scenic beauty spot and a natural monument.
It was also selected as one of the 100 best-kept secrets of Japan and one of the 100 best geological sites in Japan.
Although the coast can be reached by footpath, it is a steep terrain with a difference in elevation of more than 100 meters, and the long landscape that stretches along the coast cannot be grasped in its entirety except from the sea.
Sightseeing boats depart from Sai Port in Sai Village and Wakinosawa Port in Mutsu City.
Holding period
Hotokegaura sightseeing boat runs from April 25 to the end of October.
Hotokegaura sightseeing boat
Round trip
Adult (junior high school student or older) 2,700 yen
Child (elementary school student) 1,350 yen
Free for preschool children (under elementary school age)
One way
Adult (junior high school student or older) 1,400 yen
Child (elementary school student) 700 yen
Free for preschool children (under elementary school age)
120 minutes by bus from Shimokita Kotsu Bus Terminal → 30 minutes by boat
From Mutsu City, 1 hour and 40 minutes by car
Mutsu City → Sai Bus 2 hours 10 min.
Sai → Hotokegaura 35 min. by boat