Pix4Japan: Imaihama Beach

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 3200 for 1/105 sec. at ƒ/8.0

Velvia/Vivid film simulation

Cliffside Wonders: Exploring Imaihama Beach on the Izu Peninsula

Location: Imaihama Beach, Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Timestamp: 06:31 on February 14, 2024

I set out from home at 3:30 a.m., driving directly to the Kawazuhama Parking Lot—a mere 10-minute stroll from the southern tip of Imaihama Beach in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula. Kawazu Town boasts numerous parking lots, typically charging a one-time fee of about ¥1,000. However, the Kawazuhama Parking Lot offers the advantage of being free of charge.

To access this parking lot, plan for an approximately 3-hour and 30-minute drive from central Tokyo via expressways. Given the limited parking spaces, especially if you aim to secure a spot for sunrise viewing, it's crucial to depart early and endeavor to arrive before dusk, as the lot tends to fill up rapidly.

After arriving, my border collie and I took the trail from the parking lot to a scenic path along the cliff's top edge, offering breathtaking views of waves crashing below. Approximately halfway through, a concrete staircase protrudes from the cliffs, guiding you down to the coastline. Here, you'll witness sea stacks rising from the sandy beach, providing some nice subjects for seascape photography.

For those opting for train travel, catch the bullet train to Atami Station. Transfer to the Ito Line and make another transfer at Ito Station to the Izu Kyuko Line. Disembark at Imaihama-Kaigan Station and head south, where Imaihama Beach awaits just a 4-minute walk from the station.

While train travel is faster and relatively cost-effective, considering the absence of fuel and toll road expenses, driving remains the optimal choice for sunrise enthusiasts who prefer not to book a hotel or have a large dog as your travel companion.

Should you visit during the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, a mere 10-minute walk from the parking lot will lead you to the Kawazu River. There, you can enjoy a 3.4 km (2.11 mi) stretch of Kawazu cherry blossoms adorning both sides of the riverbank.

References:

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP

28 mm ISO 100 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/9.0

From Sea Stacks to Volcanic Glows: Izu Peninsula's Coastal Beauty

Location: Imaihama Beach, Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Timestamp: 06:53 on February 14, 2024

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP

28 mm ISO 100 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/9.0

Visiting Imaihama Beach for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a natural formation at the southernmost tip of the beach blocks the view of the large hotel right on the beach to the north. This formation allows for an unobstructed view of the sunrise, painting the sky with warm hues over the gentle waves and scattered sea stacks on the sandy shoreline.

There were six or seven other people exploring the beach while taking in the beautiful sunrise. Most likely, they were guests staying at the expansive seaside hotel or one of the charming smaller hotels or Japanese-style inns (ryokan) dotting the northern stretch of the beach.

To the left of the sea stack on the distant horizon stands Oshima Island, the largest among the Izu Islands—a cluster of volcanic islands adorning the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula.

Oshima has an active volcano, with major eruptions recorded in 1965, 1986, and the most recent event in 1990. My familiarity with Oshima Island dates back to the 1986 eruptions when I found myself atop Shonan-daira, enjoying the mesmerizing night view of city lights from coastal cities and towns along Sagami Bay. Nestled between the city of Hiratsuka and the town of Oiso in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shonan-daira is a modest hill rising just 181 meters high, crowned with a TV antenna tower and an observation deck offering an expansive, unobstructed 360-degree view of the Shonan area.

On that night, I marveled at the bright flashes and glow emanating from the volcanic eruptions and lava flow on Oshima Island, a distant spectacle at 65.04 km (40.41 mi) due south of Shonan-daira.

Whether leisurely strolling along the shores of Imaihama Beach or venturing into the coastal treasures scattered across the Izu Peninsula, keep an eye out for many of the geological marvels that collectively form the Izu Peninsula Geopark!

References:

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP

58 mm ISO 100 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Imai-So and Yukio Mishima: A Literary Retreat on Imaihama's Beachfront

Location: Imaihama Beach, Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Timestamp: 07:03 on February 14, 2024

As depicted in the photo, the coastline surrounding the Imaihama beachfront is adorned with numerous small buildings, including charming Japanese-style bed and breakfast lodgings known as minshuku and a selection of small Japanese-style inns, or ryokan. Completing the picturesque scene is a quaint fishing port.

For tourists seeking accommodations in this tranquil resort area of Kawazu Town, the Izu Imaihama Tokyu Hotel and the historic ryokan Imai-So stand out as preferred choices. Both options provide guests with stunning, unobstructed views of the white sandy beach below and the expansive Pacific Ocean.

Established in 1934, Imai-So holds a rich history of hosting distinguished guests, including Emperor Showa, members of the imperial family, political and business dignitaries, as well as Japanese celebrities. Notably, Yukio Mishima (三島由紀夫・14 January 1925 – 25 November 1970), an infamous Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor, model, and Nobel Prize in Literature nominee, frequently sought refuge from Tokyo's summer heat at Imai-So. It was at this historic location that he penned his 1951 novel, "Forbidden Colors" (禁色・Kinjiki).

After I finished exploring the southern tip of Imaihama Beach (今井浜海岸), I retraced my steps back up the side of the cliffs toward the parking lot, gearing up for a venture further south to enjoy the cherry blossoms lining the Kawazu River for the Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Festival.

A visit to Imaihama Beach in February offers a unique experience, especially if you make your way to the southern tip of Imaihama beach. Follow the trail leading to a set of stairs that ascend towards the top of nearby cliffs. At the summit, a breathtaking view of the coastline, beach, and sea stacks unfolds, and a welcoming display of kawazu-zakura cherry blossom trees awaits you, providing a tranquil and picturesque scene.

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