{"id":315,"date":"2025-08-28T10:08:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/?page_id=315"},"modified":"2026-01-30T13:27:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T04:27:01","slug":"area15","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/igp\/area\/area15\/","title":{"rendered":"15. Itoigawa Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

Itoigawa Coast<\/h1>\n

Vanished Sand Dunes along the Jade Coast<\/p>\n\t

Although small in scale, the Itoigawa Coast was once covered with a line of small sand dunes<\/b> about 10m in height. 40 years ago, these gently sloping dunes stretched out to the coast and were a popular ski area for young children in winter. Now these dunes have all but eroded away and along the shoreline, concrete tetrapod breakwaters and artificial reefs have been constructed to prevent further erosion. Remnants of a few boathouses left after the construction of the National Route 8 Bypass are all that remain to remind us of this foregone scenery.<\/p>\n

It is believed that this sudden erosion was effected by the construction of dams along the Himekawa River basin<\/b>, which reduced the amount of sand entering the region, and the construction of a large weir around Himekawa Port, which dramatically changed the coastal current. On the other hand, the construction of the National Route 8 Bypass created a revetment that has assisted in preventing further coastal erosion<\/b>. In this way, Itoigawa Coast serves as a reminder of the unforeseen effects that development projects can have on the environment. The beach has now transformed from sand to pebbles, uncovering jade and other beautiful stones<\/b>. Due to its convenient location, this beach remains popular with bathers in the summer.<\/p>\n\t\"Itoigawa\n \n \"Itoigawa\n \"Sea\n \"Souma\n \"Gyokusuien\n \"Amatsu\n \"Museum\n \"Kaneko\n \"Statue\n <\/map>\n\t

1Itoigawa Coast (Jade Coast)<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Closest Swimming Beach to Itoigawa Station<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Jade Hunting<\/p>\n\t

Also known as the Jade Coast, the Itoigawa Coast is famous for small pebbles of jade that can occasionally be found along the shoreline by skilled visitors. Itoigawa Coast was once covered in sandy dunes that stretch to the sea, but changing currents have almost entirely eroded the sand away. Despite this, the swimming beach here comes alive each summer as locals and visitors alike flock to cool off in the refreshing Sea of Japan.<\/p>\n\t

2Sea of Japan Observation Deck<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Sunset from the Observation Deck<\/p>\n\t

This lookout point is designed to resemble the setting sun and is a great spot to view the Sea of Japan. Across the sea to the left you can see Noto Peninsula and on clear days you can even see Sado Island far to the right. Looking toward the south, you can see a panoramic view of the Kubiki Mountains and Northern Japanese Alps.<\/p>\n\t

3Souma Gyofu House\u30fb
Museum of History and Folklore<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Niigata Historical Site Souma Gyof\u016b House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Itoigawa Museum of History and Folklore<\/p>\n\t

Souma Gyof\u016b was a writer from Itoigawa who is best known for writing the lyrics to Waseda University’s School Song as well as the famous children’s song ‘Haru Yo, Koi.’ His home, built in the early Showa Period, is preserved here as an example of Machiya architecture that was once common in Japan. Gyof\u016b’s extensive collection of artifacts related to his research into Itoigawa’s history and the Buddhist poet-monk Ry\u014dkan are on display at the Itoigawa Museum of History and Folklore.<\/p>\n\t

4Gyokusuien Garden and Tanimura Art Museum<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Tanimura Art Museum<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Gyokusuien Garden<\/p>\n\tDesigned by acclaimed architect Togo Murano, the Tanimura Art Museum features cave-like rooms in which natural and artificial light are combined to
\nilluminate a private collection of Buddhist sculptures by Seiko Sawada. The adjoining Gyokusuien Garden is a beautiful Japanese-style garden which skillfully incorporates the surrounding landscape.\n\t

5Amatsu Shrine<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Amatsu Shrine Worship Hall<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Fighting Shrines<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Bugaku Court Dancing<\/p>\n\tLocally called “Ichi-no-Miya,” legend says this shrine was founded during the reign of 12th Emperor Keik\u014d, nearly 2,000 years ago. The current worship hall was built in 1662. Behind it are two shrines dedicated respectively to Amatsu-Hiko-Ho-no-Ninigi-no-Mikoto, worshipped as a god of the rice harvest, and to Princess Nunakawa.
\nOn April 10th and 11th, locals and visitors gather for the shrine’s Spring Festival. In this exhilarating festival, popularly known as the Itoigawa Fighting Festival, two teams of local men show their strength by fighting with large portable shrines, the winning team is said to be blessed with a bountiful harvest in the coming year. After the fighting ends, a series of ancient court dances called bugaku are performed.\n\t

6Statue of Princess Nunakawa (Kaibo Park)<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

Princess Nunakawa, whose story appears in the 8th century Kojiki, is a patron goddess of Itoigawa. Her legend is closely linked to the region’s jade. She married the god Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and their son, Takeminakata-no-Mikoto is the god of Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano.<\/p>\n\t

7Kaneko Azalea Garden<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t

This large private garden contains over 3,500 azaleas. Cared for by a local family, these flowers bloom beautifully each May, during which time the garden is open to visitors. The view from the top of the hill is not to be missed!<\/p>\n\t View Map\n