Keino Pine Grove is a scenic coastal landscape on the western side of Awaji Island, stretching from Matsuhofurutsuji to Matsuhokeino in Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Facing the Harima-nada Sea, this beautiful area is known for its sandy beach, extensive pine forest, and spectacular sunsets. It has been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government and is one of the island’s most celebrated natural attractions.
Located north of the mouth of the Mihara River, Keino Pine Grove features approximately 2.5 kilometers of sandy beach lined with around 50,000 Japanese black pine trees. The trees have grown into a variety of distinctive shapes, creating a landscape that changes in character with the seasons.
In 1997, a walking route known as Proposal Road was created using large quantities of locally produced Awaji roof tiles. The path adds a romantic atmosphere to the coastal scenery and is a popular place for couples and visitors seeking a peaceful stroll.
One of the area’s greatest attractions is the sunset over the Harima-nada Sea. On clear days, visitors can also see Shodoshima Island in the distance. To the north of the pine grove lies Goshikihama Beach, designated as a Local Natural Monument of Hyogo Prefecture. As its name suggests, the beach is scattered with beautiful pebbles in five different colors.
Keino Pine Grove was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government in 1928. In 1955, it became part of Setonaikai National Park, further recognizing its importance as a landscape worthy of conservation.
The area has also been selected for several national scenic lists, including Japan’s 100 Best White-Sand-and-Green-Pine Landscapes, the 100 Best Beaches in Japan, and the 100 Best Sunset Spots in Japan. These distinctions reflect the exceptional beauty of its coastline and pine forest.
Keino Pine Grove has been admired since ancient times and is associated with a poem by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, one of the best-known poets of Japan’s Nara period. A stone monument bearing the poem stands north of Keino Matsubarasō, a public lodging facility in the area.
The poem, recorded in the Man’yoshu, Japan’s oldest surviving anthology of poetry, evokes the coastal scenery and fishing boats off Keino. Its presence gives the landscape an added sense of history and literary significance.
During the Edo period, the pine grove was owned by the Tokushima Domain, which worked to cultivate and maintain the forest. Part of the woodland was later cleared during World War II to increase food production, reducing its original extent. Despite these changes, Keino Pine Grove continues to preserve much of its distinctive natural beauty.
Behind the pine forest lies Keino Matsubara Beach, a beautiful swimming beach sheltered by the trees. Its water quality and scenery have received national recognition: in 2001, it was selected for the Environment Ministry’s list of Japan’s 88 Best Swimming Beaches, and in 2006, it received special recognition in the ministry’s selection of Japan’s 100 Best Swimming Beaches.
A fireworks festival is held at the beach in late July each year. The fireworks illuminate the summer night sky above the blue sea and green pine forest, creating a memorable seasonal spectacle that attracts many visitors.
A campground is also located within the pine grove, allowing visitors to spend time surrounded by nature. The combination of beach activities, camping, and sunset views makes Keino Pine Grove an appealing destination for a summer getaway.
Keino Pine Grove can be reached by car or local bus. Drivers traveling from Kobe or Tokushima can use the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway and exit at either Seidan-Mihara Interchange or Sumoto Interchange. From there, follow the local prefectural roads toward the coast.
Local bus services also provide access from other parts of Minamiawaji City. Visitors planning to use public transportation should check current routes and timetables before traveling.
Keino Pine Grove brings together a long sandy beach, an expansive pine forest, literary heritage, and some of the most beautiful sunsets on Awaji Island. Whether you come to walk beneath the pine trees, explore the beach, visit the historic poetry monument, or enjoy the summer fireworks, the area offers a memorable blend of nature and culture.
For a particularly scenic experience, visit in the late afternoon and watch the sun descend over the Harima-nada Sea. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful coastal views make Keino Pine Grove a rewarding destination throughout the year.