Sarugamori Sand Dunes, Coastal sand dunes in Higashidori, Japan.
Sarugamori Sand Dunes are coastal dunes in Higashidori that stretch along the Pacific shore for 17 kilometers and reach widths of up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in some sections. The sand formations lie within a restricted site managed by the Defense Equipment Agency of Japan.
The dunes took shape around 6000 years ago when sea levels rose during the Jōmon period and sand from the Pacific gradually built up along the coast. Over the centuries, the dunes continued to shift inland, forming the current landscape.
The name comes from an Ainu term, Saru-ka-morai, which describes a slow-moving river above the wetlands. This designation points to the connection between waterways and the coastal region once inhabited by Ainu-speaking communities.
The dunes sit within a military testing ground that requires prior authorization before any visit. When planning a trip, it helps to contact the authorities directly and allow plenty of lead time.
The shifting sands have created several lakes, including Lake Osawa and Lake Sakyō, where a rare freshwater alga called Himemarimo grows. This alga occurs in only a handful of isolated waters in Japan.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
