From the Kumihama Merchant Town to the Sunsets of Yuhigaura (By Car)

This driving course takes you through the town of Kumihama in Kyotango City to visit the residence of a wealthy merchant that flourished during the Edo period, view Kumihama Bay separated from the Sea of Japan by the Shotenkyo sandbar, and then head by car to the Yuhigaura Coast. The journey concludes by relaxing on the beach, famous for its sunsets, as you await the day's end.

History and Regional Charm

The town of Kumihama took shape as the castle town of Matsui Yasuyuki, a vassal of the Hosokawa clan, and a magistrate's office (daikansho) of the Tokugawa shogunate was established here during the Edo period. In the early Meiji period, the administrative office of Kumihama Prefecture was also placed here, briefly making the town the administrative center of northern Kinki. During the Edo period, wealthy merchants like the Inaba family emerged in this town, running shipping businesses funded by wealth gained from koji production and building great fortunes through coastal trade along the Sea of Japan.

To the north of the town lies Kumihama Bay, a lagoon with a circumference of approximately 28 kilometers, separated from the Sea of Japan by the sandbar known as Shotenkyo. Because its appearance resembles Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, it is called Shotenkyo (meaning "Little Amanohashidate"). From Shotenkyo eastward to the Hamazume coast, a stretch of white sand and green pine trees extends for about 8 kilometers, considered the longest sandy beach in northern Kinki. This Hamazume coast is the Yuhigaura Coast, renowned as a sunset-viewing spot. On this one-day route, you can trace the history of the castle town alongside the distinctive terrain of the bay and beach.

Key Highlights

• ​Inaba Honke Merchant Residence​​: A cultural facility utilizing the estate of the Inaba family. The remaining main house was begun in 1885 by the 12th-generation head, Inaba Ichiroemon, took five years to complete, and is designated as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Visitors can enjoy a cafe and hands-on craft experiences, making it a popular base for exploring the town.
• ​Kumihama Bay​​: Sheltered by the sandbar, the waters within the bay are calm and dotted with oyster racks used to cultivate the local specialty, Kumihama oysters. This scenery is recognized as a Kyoto Prefecture Selected Cultural Landscape under the title "Oyster Racks of Kumihama Bay." Outside Shotenkyo, a long white sand beach stretches out, presenting a completely different character inside and outside the bay.
• ​Yuhigaura Coast​​: A scenic coastline selected among Japan's Top 100 Sunsets. The eastern side features intricate rocky shores, while the western side opens into a sandy beach. In summer, the sun sinks into the horizon, and the pairing of waves with the silhouettes of rocks illuminated by the evening glow is a prime highlight.

Recommended Route and Travel Time

The estimated time required is around 5 hours. Plan your departure by counting backward from sunset so that you arrive at Yuhigaura in time for sundown. The Inaba Honke Merchant Residence is about a 7-minute walk from Kumihama Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. After viewing the residence, take a walk through the townscape, which preserves merchant houses from the Edo to Taisho periods, stone bridges, and boathouses (funaya). From Kumihama Park, about a 5-minute walk from the Inaba Honke Merchant Residence, you can look out over Kumihama Bay and the surrounding mountains.

From the town, proceed by car to Shotenkyo on the north side of the bay. The area around the bay is dotted with parks, campsites, shrines, temples, and hot springs, making it well-suited for a scenic drive. Shotenkyo sits at the western end of the roughly 8-kilometer beach; a walking trail runs along the shore, so take a stroll to compare the contrasting views inside and outside the bay. If time permits, climbing Mt. Kabuto to the southeast of the bay is also recommended. The observation deck at the summit is considered the best vantage point for viewing Shotenkyo. The mountain trail takes about 30 minutes and is somewhat steep. In winter, aquaculture rafts for cultivating the famous oysters line the bay, forming an iconic seasonal scene of Kumihama Bay.

From the Inaba Honke Merchant Residence to the Yuhigaura Coast is about 9 kilometers in a straight line to the northeast. At Yuhigaura, the sun setting into the horizon from spring to summer is spectacular. Arrive at the beach a little before sundown and enjoy the changing colors of the sky and sea from the benches along the "Yūhi no Michi" (Sunset Path) walking trail that stretches along the shore. Inns of the Yuhigaura Onsen hot spring resort line the area near the coast, and soaking in a hot spring after watching the sunset is also recommended.

Summary of the Experience

A castle town retaining a wealthy merchant's residence, a tranquil lagoon protected by a sandbar, and the sun sinking into the Sea of Japan. Follow the long shoreline from Shotenkyo to Yuhigaura and savor a leisurely coastal day in Kyotango by car.