Niji-no-Matsubara is a magnificent coastal pine forest stretching along Karatsu Bay in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. The contrast between its white sandy beaches, deep-green pine trees, and blue sea creates a landscape known in Japan as hakusha seisho, meaning “white sand and green pines.” It is one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic coastal areas and is counted among the Three Great Pine Groves of Japan, alongside Miho-no-Matsubara in Shizuoka Prefecture and Kehi-no-Matsubara in Fukui Prefecture. It is also designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government.
The pine forest follows a broad, graceful curve along the coast, resembling a rainbow when viewed from above or from the surrounding hills. It extends for approximately 4.5 kilometers, reaches a width of around 500 meters, and covers about 216 hectares. Approximately one million Japanese black pine trees grow here, making it one of the largest coastal pine forests in Japan.
The scenery changes depending on the viewing angle, weather, and time of day. The white beach, green forest, and blue waters of Karatsu Bay form a striking natural composition, while the long, curved line of trees gives the landscape its distinctive character.
The history of Niji-no-Matsubara dates back to the early 17th century. Its origins are associated with Terasawa Hirotaka, the first lord of the Karatsu domain, who ordered Japanese black pines to be planted along the coast. At that time, the area consisted largely of sand dunes, and strong sea winds and blowing sand frequently damaged nearby farmland.
The planting of the pine trees was intended to protect agricultural land and settlements from coastal winds and drifting sand. Hirotaka also established strict rules to protect the growing forest. Cutting down the trees was severely restricted, and it is said that serious penalties could be imposed on those who violated the rules.
Thanks to this careful management and the efforts of successive generations, the pine forest was preserved and gradually developed into the vast coastal landscape seen today. What began as a practical environmental measure eventually became one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic destinations.
The pine forest was once known as Niri-no-Matsubara, a name referring to its length of approximately two ri, an old Japanese unit of distance. From the Meiji period onward, the name Niji-no-Matsubara, meaning “Rainbow Pine Grove,” became established.
The precise origin of the present name is not certain. One commonly accepted explanation is that the forest’s gently curving shape resembles a rainbow. Its sweeping arc along Karatsu Bay makes this interpretation easy to understand, particularly when the pine grove is viewed from Mount Kagamiyama.
Niji-no-Matsubara has received numerous recognitions for its landscape and natural value. In addition to its designation as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, it has been selected for several notable Japanese landscape lists, including the “100 Best White-Sand-and-Green-Pine Landscapes of Japan,” the “100 Best Beaches of Japan,” the “100 Fragrant Landscapes of Japan,” and the “100 Best Roads of Japan.”
It has also received national attention through a television program that selected memorable Japanese landscapes worth preserving for the 21st century. These recognitions reflect the exceptional beauty of the pine forest and its importance as part of Japan’s coastal heritage.
Niji-no-Matsubara is associated with a collection of legends and unusual stories traditionally known as the Seven Mysteries of the Pine Grove. Interestingly, eight stories are said to have been passed down. These tales are closely connected with local history, folklore, and religious beliefs.
One of the best-known legends concerns Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the powerful warlord who visited the area in the late 16th century. According to the story, Hideyoshi complained that the cicadas were making too much noise. After he scolded them, the cicadas supposedly stopped singing in the pine forest. This tale is remembered as one of the unusual mysteries associated with the area.
Another story concerns the so-called “Glared-at Pine.” Hideyoshi is said to have glared at a pine tree and caused it to remain short. There is also a pine known as Yarikake no Matsu, or “Spear-Resting Pine,” associated with a story about soldiers leaning their spears against it.
Other legends describe a well near the coast that produces fresh water without a salty taste, despite its proximity to the sea, and a belief that snakes do not live in the pine forest. Whether understood as folklore or as expressions of local tradition, these stories add another layer of interest to a walk through Niji-no-Matsubara.
Niji-no-Matsubara forms part of Genkai Quasi-National Park, where the coastal landscape and natural environment are protected. Much of the forest consists of Japanese black pine, but the vegetation becomes more varied farther inland, where broad-leaved trees grow among the pines.
The forest provides habitats for a variety of wildlife. Small mammals such as moles and Japanese hares live among the trees, while birds including pygmy woodpeckers and long-tailed tits can be observed in the woodland. Several kinds of mushrooms, including matsutake-like species such as shoro and amita ke, are also found in the forest environment.
Walking beneath the pine trees offers opportunities to observe the local ecosystem at close range. The shapes of the trees are also fascinating: many have grown in unusual forms under the influence of coastal winds, creating distinctive silhouettes that reflect the natural conditions of the shoreline.
Niji-no-Matsubara can be enjoyed throughout the year, with each season offering a different atmosphere.
In summer, the nearby beaches become lively with visitors enjoying the sea. The blue water, white sand, and green pine forest create a refreshing coastal landscape. The shade of the trees and the breeze moving through the forest also make the area pleasant for walking.
During autumn and winter, visitor numbers are generally lower than in the summer season. The pine forest becomes a quieter place where visitors can take a leisurely walk, enjoy the natural surroundings, and listen to the sound of the wind through the trees.
At any time of year, the unusual forms of the pine trees are worth looking out for. Their branches and trunks have been shaped by years of exposure to coastal winds, giving the forest a character that cannot be found in an ordinary woodland.
One of the finest places to appreciate the full scale of Niji-no-Matsubara is Mount Kagamiyama, located to the south of the pine forest. From the observation area near the summit, visitors can look down over the curved line of trees and the broad waters of Karatsu Bay.
The elevated view reveals the distinctive arc that gives the pine forest its name. The contrast between the dark-green forest, pale coastline, and blue sea is particularly impressive and provides an excellent opportunity for photography.
Visitors can also enjoy the scenery from the coastal side of the forest. Looking through the trunks and branches of the pines toward the sea offers a more intimate view, quite different from the wide panorama seen from the mountain.
Niji-no-Matsubara is easy to reach by public transportation. Nijinomatsubara Station on the JR Chikuhi Line is located within the pine forest, roughly around its central area, making it convenient for visitors arriving by train.
Visitors traveling by bus can take a Showa Bus bound for Higashi-Karatsu Station from Karatsu Oteguchi Bus Center and get off at the Seaside-mae bus stop. By car, the pine forest is approximately 40 minutes from Taku Interchange on the Nagasaki Expressway.
Free parking is available, with space for approximately 135 vehicles. There is no admission fee, and visitors are free to explore the forest.
Because the pine grove covers a very large area, comfortable walking shoes are recommended for those planning to explore on foot. Visitors are also asked to help protect the natural environment by taking their rubbish home and avoiding damage to the trees, plants, and other vegetation.
Niji-no-Matsubara is a remarkable example of a landscape shaped by human effort and gradually integrated into the natural environment. The pine trees were originally planted to protect farmland and settlements from coastal winds and drifting sand, but over the centuries they developed into a scenic treasure of national importance.
Its historical background, unusual local legends, rich ecosystem, and beautiful coastal views make it much more than an ordinary pine forest. Whether walking beneath the trees, enjoying the beach, observing wildlife, or viewing the sweeping coastline from Mount Kagamiyama, visitors can experience the enduring beauty of one of Saga Prefecture’s most famous landscapes.
No holidays
Free to visit
Free 135 cars
JR: JR Chikuhi Line Nijinomatsubara Station is located in the middle of Matsubara
Bus: Take Showa Bus bound for Higashi-Karatsu Station from Karatsu Oteguchi Bus Center and get off at Seaside-mae bus stop.
Car: 40 minutes drive from Taku IC of Nagasaki Expressway