Kehi no Matsubara, Pine forest and Place of Scenic Beauty in Tsuruga, Japan

Kehi no Matsubara is a pine forest lining a sandy beach along Tsuruga Bay, with thousands of mature trees creating a natural barrier between the shore and inland areas. The forest stretches across a substantial expanse, forming a layered landscape where sand gradually transitions to tree-covered ground.

The forest appears in classical Japanese texts dating to the 8th century and held strong connections to the imperial court. Its status as a historically valued site has endured for over a thousand years.

The forest is also called "Ichiya no Matsubara" (One Night Pine Grove), after a legend recorded on a stone near the car park: in Emperor Shōmu's reign a foreign fleet attacked, a pine grove appeared overnight, and white herons sent by Kehi Shrine's deity perched on the treetops, which the attackers took for an army's banners and fled. Monuments inside the grove include a 1891 stele where Katsu Kaishū recalled Emperor Meiji's 1878 visit, and a 1980-rebuilt haiku stone by Takahama Kyoshi.

Kehi no Matsubara lies in Matsushima-chō, Tsuruga, about 3 minutes on foot from the Kehi no Matsubara stop on the community bus, or 1 minute from the Matsubara Kaigan stop on the sightseeing loop bus; taxis take about 10 minutes from Tsuruga Station. Paths wind through the pines. The forest is closed on 2–3 days a year for spraying against pine wilt disease, so check before setting out.

The forest is also called "Ichiya no Matsubara" (One Night Pine Grove). A legend holds that during Emperor Shōmu's reign a foreign fleet attacked, and a pine grove appeared overnight; white herons, messengers of Kehi Shrine, perched on the treetops and were taken for an army's banners, so the attackers fled. A stone monument near the car park records the story.