Umi no Nakamichi, Tombolo in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
Umi no Nakamichi is an 8-kilometer sand formation connecting Kyushu Island to Shikanoshima Island, with the Genkai Sea to the north and Hakata Bay to the south. The landmass creates a natural barrier between two distinct water bodies while serving as a bridge between the two islands.
Records from the Nara period refer to this location as Uchiage no Hama, documenting its ancient significance. Archaeological finds from the 8th century show that fishing and salt production were practiced here for centuries.
The Nata Pine Grove with its Japanese black pines shelters the Shishiki Shrine, a place where visitors can sense the connection between nature and spiritual life in the region. The site reflects how landscape and belief are woven together in this part of Fukuoka.
The area is easily reached from Fukuoka City via four stations on the JR Kashii Line and the Umi no Nakamichi Bridge. Visitors should expect different conditions depending on the season and tides.
The sand spits at Nishidozaki and Karasu no Su extend over 2 kilometers into Hakata Bay in certain sections. These unusual widths reveal how constantly shifting tides and currents have shaped the sand formation over time.
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