Shichirihama

Overview

Shichirihama is Japan's longest gravel beach, extending approximately 25km from Kumano City to Kii-cho in Mie Prefecture. Located within the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, its beauty is exceptional, earning it a place among the "100 Best Beaches of Japan" and the "100 Best White Sand and Pine Groves of Japan." Pine forests, planted to protect against strong sea winds, line the coast, creating a breathtaking contrast of green and blue. Shichirihama is also part of the Kumano Kodo Iseji pilgrimage route, making it a great place to walk along the coast and experience a bit of history. The Kumano Kodo, which connects Ise Grand Shrine to the Kumano Sanzan shrines, has been a major thoroughfare since ancient times, with Shichirihama forming a part of that route. Furthermore, Shichirihama is known as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. From May to September each year, these turtles come ashore to lay eggs, digging nests in the sand. When visiting Shichirihama, keep an eye out for the loggerhead sea turtle nesting season. If you're lucky, you might even catch sight of a turtle laying eggs! Shichirihama also offers many attractions, including Onigajo (Devil's Castle), Shishiiwa (Lion Rock), and Hanagutsu Shrine. Onigajo features a series of steep cliffs, while Shishiiwa, a rock resembling a lion roaring towards the sea, is known as a power spot. Hanagutsu Shrine is the inner shrine of Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and is filled with a sacred atmosphere. Shichirihama is a captivating place where nature, history, and culture harmonize. Come and experience its beauty for yourself!