The beauty of strata and an underground tunnel

At Hamatokuai you can see beautiful mudstone-sandstone stratification and terraced rice fields built atop the result of landslides. You can also see an unusual underground station and enjoy walking through a traditional fishing village.

Geosite
Tsutsuishi and Hamatokuai
Time
90 mins.
Walking
Walking

Notice Regarding Route Information

Tsutsuishi-Hamatokuai Geosite Difficulty: Easy. Open all year! A. Beauty of Hamatokuai Strata and Terraced Rice Fields 3 million years ago, sand and mud were deposited in alternating layers to form the beautifully striped cliffs we see today. This sort of stratification is also found higher in the mountains, but landslides along the coast have also made this area ideal for terraced rice farming, creating beautiful pastoral scenery. Further inland from here is Tokuai Village, where Tokuai Castle once stood. B. Tsutsuishi Station — Built Inside a Tunnel JR Tsutsuishi Station was moved to its current location in 1969. Built inside the middle of 11,353m long Tsutsuishi Tunnel, the station is at an elevation of 60m, but the platform is at an elevation of only 20m, deep within the mountain. To reach the platform visitors must descend nearly 300 steps. Express trains passing through create massive gusts of wind. C. Tsutsuishi Village and Harbor A fishing village built during the feudal Edo period, Tsutsuishi is wedged between the mountains and the sea with houses crammed together on either side of a narrow street. The houses are notable for their construction, narrow and tall with adjoining walls, creating a strong sense of community reminiscent of earlier times. The local fishing cooperative is incredibly active here and visitors are welcome to visit the local harbor. (Fish auctions held daily around 3pm) Tsutsuishi-Hamatokuai Field Guide Tsutsuishi-Hamatokuai Field Guide
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