Hiyoriyama Coast is a rocky coastline in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, forming part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark and San’in Kaigan National Park. Facing the Sea of Japan, the coast features a deeply indented ria coastline shaped by wave erosion, with numerous unusual rock formations creating a dramatic natural landscape. Offshore, the small island of Nochigashima is home to a pavilion modeled after the legendary Dragon Palace from the Japanese folktale of Urashima Taro.
Hiyoriyama Coast extends from the mouth of the Maruyama River toward the eastern part of Takeno Coast. Its intricate shoreline and striking rock formations reveal the powerful effects of the sea on the landscape over time.
Near the mouth of the Maruyama River is an area known as Hiyoriyama Amusement Park, where visitors can find Kinosaki Marine World, a popular aquarium, and Hotel Kinparo, a hot spring resort. The offshore Dragon Palace pavilion is another distinctive attraction, drawing attention with its unusual appearance against the blue sea.
Nochigashima is associated with the Japanese folktale of Urashima Taro, a fisherman who visits a mysterious underwater palace. According to local legend, this is where Urashima Taro opened the jewel-encrusted box, or tamatebako, that he had been given during his extraordinary journey.
Set against the blue waters of the Sea of Japan and the clear sky, the small island creates an almost dreamlike scene. Its quiet, isolated appearance evokes the timeless atmosphere of the legend and invites visitors to imagine the mysterious world of Urashima Taro.
In 1950, a small traditional Japanese pavilion was built on Nochigashima to preserve the island’s local legend. Its distinctive appearance resembled the Dragon Palace from the Urashima Taro story, and it gradually became known by that name.
The pavilion once served as a gathering place where visitors could enjoy tea and conversation. In the past, it was possible to cross to the island, but access is now prohibited. The Dragon Palace can therefore be viewed only from the coastline and designated visitor areas.
The Dragon Palace can be admired from the coast around Hiyoriyama and from within the grounds of Kinosaki Marine World. Sunrise and sunset are particularly attractive times to visit, when changing light transforms the sea and sky and highlights the pavilion’s silhouette.
In late autumn and winter, the area may also be enveloped in a mysterious sea fog known as kearashi. This phenomenon occurs when cold air meets relatively warm seawater, producing mist that spreads across the surface. When the Dragon Palace appears to float above the fog, the view can be especially enchanting.
Kawa-arashi, or river mist, is a natural phenomenon in which cold air and fog flow down a river valley. Only three major rivers in Japan are widely recognized for this striking phenomenon, collectively known as the country’s Three Great Kawa-arashi sites.
They are the Hijikawa River in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture; the Sendai River in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture; and the Maruyama River in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Because Hiyoriyama Coast lies near the mouth of the Maruyama River, visitors may be able to witness this remarkable natural spectacle. One of the most memorable sights is the Dragon Palace appearing to float above a sea of mist, creating an almost otherworldly landscape.
River fog and sea-of-clouds effects are more likely to occur when several conditions coincide: a clear, calm morning, a substantial temperature difference from the previous day, high humidity, and radiational cooling overnight.
From October through March, visitors who arrive early in the morning may have a chance to see the Dragon Palace surrounded by mist. The phenomenon depends on weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed, but when it occurs, it offers an unforgettable view of the coast.
The Sea of Japan coastline around Hiyoriyama is also connected to the wider tradition of the Urashima Taro legend. Across the sea to the Tango Peninsula in neighboring Kyoto Prefecture, several places preserve stories associated with the tale. One of the most notable is Urashima Shrine in Ine Town.
Urashima Shrine enshrines Urashimako, a legendary figure believed to have inspired the character of Urashima Taro. According to the shrine’s tradition, Urashimako spent three days fishing before catching a five-colored turtle. The turtle transformed into a beautiful young woman, who invited him to the land of Tokoyo, a mysterious realm beyond the ordinary world.
Urashimako spent what seemed to be happy days in this extraordinary place, but eventually began to long for his homeland. When he decided to return, the woman gave him a tamatebako, or treasure box, warning him never to open it.
After returning home, Urashimako opened the box despite the warning. Smoke rose from it, and he suddenly transformed into an old man with white hair.
Versions of the Urashima legend have been passed down in many parts of Japan, but the tradition preserved at Urashima Shrine is considered one of the oldest. Related accounts appear in the ancient Fudoki of Tango Province and the Nihon Shoki, two important sources for understanding Japan’s early history and mythology.
From Kinosaki Onsen Station on the JR San’in Main Line, take a Zentan Bus bound for Hiyoriyama. The journey takes approximately ten minutes. Get off at the final stop, Hiyoriyama, and the coast is only a short walk away.
Kinosaki Onsen is a historic hot spring town known for its atmospheric streets and traditional bathing culture. Visitors can stroll through the town in a yukata and enjoy its seven public bathhouses, making it an excellent destination to combine with a trip to Hiyoriyama Coast.
Takeno Beach is a beautiful sandy beach near Hiyoriyama, known for its clear water and scenic shoreline. During summer, it attracts swimmers and families looking for a relaxing seaside getaway.
Kehi Beach, on the Tsuiyama Coast, is another attractive nearby destination. Its broad sandy shoreline is well suited to seaside walks and summer beach activities.
Along the Takeno Coast, north of central Toyooka, visitors can discover the flow structures of Uji rhyolite. These volcanic rock formations date to approximately two to three million years ago, during the Pliocene epoch of the Neogene Period.
The area forms part of San’in Kaigan National Park and is known for its dramatic cliffs, unusual rock formations, and spherical structures within the rhyolite. It offers an excellent opportunity to appreciate the geological forces that shaped this section of the Sea of Japan coast.
Address: 1090 Seto, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture 669-6122
Access: From Kinosaki Onsen Station on the JR San’in Main Line, take a Zentan Bus bound for Hiyoriyama for approximately ten minutes. Get off at the final stop and walk a short distance to the coast.
Location: Mukoyama, Takuhisahi, Takeno-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access: Travel by Zentan Bus from Kinosaki Onsen Station, or use a Zentan Bus or Toyooka City bus from Toyooka or Takeno stations to reach the Takeno Coast area. Check local bus routes and schedules before traveling.
Hiyoriyama Coast combines dramatic rock formations, sweeping views of the Sea of Japan, and the mysterious Dragon Palace associated with the Urashima Taro legend. The pavilion is especially captivating at sunrise and sunset, and on rare mornings when mist spreads across the water, it can appear to float above the sea.
The Maruyama River’s famous river mist adds another dimension to the landscape, making the area particularly appealing to photographers and nature lovers. Travelers interested in Japanese folklore can also extend their journey to Urashima Shrine on the Tango Peninsula to explore one of the country’s oldest versions of the legend.
With its blend of geology, scenery, and traditional storytelling, Hiyoriyama Coast offers a memorable experience where the natural world and Japanese mythology meet.