Jodogahama Beach
"Pure Land Beach" — white rhyolite rock pillars rise from crystal-clear turquoise water in a sheltered cove on the Sanriku coast. The 18th-century Buddhist monk who named it compared it to paradise.
2–3 hours
Free (boat tours ¥1,600)
Always open; boat tours: Apr–Oct, 9:00–16:00 (departures roughly hourly from Miyako Port)
June–September
Bus from Miyako Station (10 min)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
Boat tours from the visitor centre take you through the rock pillars and into sea caves
- 2
Black-tailed gulls nest on the rocks — bring food to feed them from the boat
- 3
The beach has no sand — only smooth white pebbles and transparent water
- 4
Sunrise over the Sanriku Pacific from this coast is one of Japan's most dramatic
Local Tips
The white rhyolite rocks and pine trees framing crystal-clear water create an otherworldly landscape — the name ('Pure Land Beach') captures the feeling well. The glass-bottomed boat tour reveals the underwater rock formations and sea life. The surrounding Sanriku coastline has been fully rebuilt since 2011 — the resilience of the local communities is evident throughout.
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