Kotogahama Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline in Nima-cho, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture, and is famous throughout Japan for its rare “singing sands.” Facing the Sea of Japan, this crescent-shaped beach stretches for approximately 1.4 to 1.6 kilometers and is covered with fine, white sand.
When you walk across the beach, the sand can produce a distinctive “squeaking” or “chirping” sound, creating a fascinating natural experience. The sound is reminiscent of the gentle tones of a traditional Japanese koto, a stringed musical instrument, which is said to be the origin of the beach’s name, Kotogahama.
Beyond its beautiful scenery, the beach is also associated with local legends and traditional culture, making it one of Shimane’s memorable places to experience both nature and history.
The most remarkable feature of Kotogahama is its singing sand, known in Japanese as “naki-suna” or “nari-suna.” When visitors walk over the sand under the right conditions, it produces a clear “squeak” or “chirp.”
Such beaches are very uncommon in Japan, with only around 30 locations believed to have this phenomenon. Even among these, only a small number have sand that can produce sounds across a substantial portion of the beach. Kotogahama is particularly well known for the clarity and extent of its singing sands.
Singing sand can only form when several natural conditions are met. The sand grains need to be relatively uniform in size, contain a high proportion of quartz, and remain exceptionally clean.
At Kotogahama, the sand is said to contain more than 65% quartz. The absence of pollution and other contaminants is also important, because dirt and impurities can interfere with the movement of the sand grains and prevent them from producing their characteristic sound.
The beach’s sand is the result of an extremely long natural process. It is believed to have developed over a timescale of approximately five million years, making its remarkable sound a fascinating example of the relationship between geology and the natural environment.
The distinctive sound of Kotogahama’s singing sand was recognized in 1996, when it was selected as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan Worth Preserving.” The beach was also selected in the same year as one of the 100 Best Beaches in Japan, in recognition of its beautiful coastal scenery.
Listening to the soft sound of the waves together with the gentle “squeaking” of the sand creates a uniquely peaceful atmosphere. Early mornings and evenings, when the beach is particularly quiet, can be especially atmospheric, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural sounds of the coast.
Kotogahama is also associated with a beautiful local legend known as the Legend of Princess Koto.
According to the story, after the defeat of the Heike clan in the Battle of Dannoura, a princess escaped in a small boat and eventually drifted ashore in this area. The local villagers welcomed the injured princess and cared for her until she recovered.
Grateful for their kindness, the princess is said to have played the koto every day for the villagers, bringing comfort and joy to the community.
However, the princess eventually passed away. The villagers mourned her death and carefully buried her on a hill overlooking the beach.
The following day, according to the legend, the sand on the beach began making a sound resembling the music of a koto. The villagers believed that the princess’s spirit had remained at the beach to comfort and encourage them. They began calling the beach Kotogahama and affectionately referred to the princess as Princess Koto.
The legend continues to be passed down through generations and adds a sense of mystery and romance to the natural phenomenon of the singing sand.
Kotogahama is also known for its beautiful combination of white sand and the deep blue waters of the Sea of Japan. The broad, gently curving shoreline creates an open and relaxing landscape that is enjoyable simply for walking and taking in the scenery.
During summer, the beach is opened as a swimming area and attracts many visitors. Its broad shoreline and relatively shallow waters make it a popular destination for families as well as travelers looking to enjoy a traditional Japanese seaside experience.
In the evening, visitors can also enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Sea of Japan. The changing colors of the sky and ocean create a particularly romantic atmosphere.
Every year around the Obon season in August, the traditional Kotogahama Bon Dance is held in the local community. The event has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Oda City and remains an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.
A traditional dance tower, known as a yagura, is set up on the beach, while lanterns illuminate the surrounding area. Local residents and visitors gather together to dance, creating a nostalgic and atmospheric summer scene.
For international visitors, the festival offers a wonderful opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese summer celebration in an authentic local setting.
Kotogahama is also known as one of the settings of Sand Chronicles, a popular manga written by Hinako Ashihara. The story was later adapted into both film and television drama, and the beautiful coastal scenery of Kotogahama became closely associated with the work.
Fans of the manga and its adaptations visit the beach as part of their own pilgrimage to locations connected with the story. Walking along the shore while imagining the world depicted in the work can make a visit especially memorable.
The unique singing sands of Kotogahama depend on a clean and healthy coastal environment. The beach is therefore the focus of various conservation efforts designed to protect its natural landscape.
Measures have been taken to address coastal erosion and damage caused by waves, including shoreline protection and the installation of artificial reefs.
The singing sand is particularly sensitive to pollution. Litter and other contaminants can affect the surface of the sand and cause its distinctive sound to disappear. For this reason, local residents and volunteers actively participate in beach-cleaning activities.
Visitors can help preserve this remarkable natural phenomenon by taking all rubbish home with them and avoiding activities that could contaminate or disturb the sand.
Kotogahama is more than simply a beautiful beach. It is a special destination where nature, geology, history, legend, and local culture come together.
The mysterious sound produced beneath your feet can make an ordinary walk along the beach feel like a unique encounter with nature. As you listen to the waves and walk across the white sand, you can appreciate both the immense passage of geological time and the stories that local communities have preserved.
Thinking about the legend of Princess Koto while strolling along the shore adds another layer of meaning to the experience. For travelers exploring western Shimane, Kotogahama offers an opportunity to discover one of Japan’s most unusual and fascinating coastal landscapes.
Kotogahama is conveniently accessible by train. From Maji Station on the JR Sanin Main Line, it takes approximately five minutes on foot to reach the beach.
By car, the beach is approximately 45 minutes from the Hamada Interchange on the San’in Expressway.
When traveling through western Shimane, consider adding Kotogahama to your itinerary. Walking across its beautiful white sands and listening for the mysterious “singing” sound is an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere in Japan.