Senjojiki Coast (千畳敷海岸)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A coastline lined with a vast rock shelf, said to have formed when the seabed rose during a great earthquake in the Edo period. The name comes from a legend that a Tsugaru feudal lord once held a banquet here after laying out a thousand tatami mats. The flat slab of rock stretches out toward the open sea, dotted with unusually shaped rocks carved by wave erosion, such as Lion Rock and Kabuto Rock (Helmet Rock). You can actually walk on top of the rock shelf, peering into tide pools and taking commemorative photos against the backdrop of the unusual rocks, an experience that captivates even adults with a spirit of seaside exploration. It's also renowned as a scenic spot visible from the train window of the JR Gono Line running right in front, and the beauty of the sunset sinking into the Sea of Japan is said to be among the best in Aomori Prefecture. In the evening, the sky beginning to turn amber and the silhouette of the rock shelf make for a fitting close to a scenic drive.

Tips

About a 25-minute drive north on National Route 101 from Michi-no-Eki Fukaura, with parking spaces along the coast. The rocks can be slippery when wet, so wear shoes with a firm sole. On days with high waves, avoid getting close to the edge of the rock shelf. Winds off the Sea of Japan are often strong, so having something to layer over is comfortable.

Best time to visit

About 1 to 1.5 hours. Evening, when the setting sun illuminates the water's surface, is the most dramatic time to visit

Access & map

〒038-2504 青森県西津軽郡深浦町北金ケ沢榊原