Chirihama Nagisa Driveway

Also written: 千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ · 千里滨渚汽车海滩公路

A rare, driveable sandy beach—Japan’s only one and one of the few in the world—popular with international visitors for scenic drives as the sun sets over the Sea of Japan.

Another illustration of this place, under Famous Views →

Ishikawa Chubu Townscape & Scenery

About this place

Chirihama Nagisa Driveway is an 8-kilometer sandy beach stretch between Imahama in Hodatsushimizu Town and Chirihama Town in Hakui City, Ishikawa, of which about 6 kilometers are legally designated as a public road (Toyama? actually Ishikawa prefectural road) allowing normal cars, tourist buses, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians to share shoreline. It is Japan's only drivable sandy beach due to uniform fine sand 0.1 to 0.2 mm diameter about quarter of normal sand delivered by Tedori River sediment from Hakusan 50 km away and carried by ocean currents, mixed with seawater packing tightly like concrete supporting vehicle weight without 4WD. Sand naturally maintained by waves; little heavy maintenance needed, closed about 20 days winter for high waves. However erosion threatens existence: width was 50 meters average around 1994, retreating about 1 meter yearly to 29 meters at one point, countered by sand nourishment and offshore artificial reefs. Visitor numbers remain high but restrictions increase when combined regulations cause closure: in 2023 full plus partial closure days reached 198 days maximum record, by end May 2025 surpassed 100 days already. Events like SSTR Sunrise Sunset Touring Rally in May gathers thousands of motorcyclists riding from Pacific sunrise to Japan Sea sunset finish at Chirihama. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship.