Japan Toyama Amaharashi Coast Photo Spot

On the side of the Sea of Japan, the coastline of Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, is a symphony played by nature.
Getting to Himi is not convenient. From Kanazawa, take the private IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze Toyama Railway to Takaoka Station, then transfer to the Himi Line and get off at Amaharashi Station.
The train service is infrequent, and good weather is needed; arriving here feels like reaching the ends of the earth.
Looking north from the pebble beach of Amaharashi Coast, the snow-capped Tateyama Mountain Range floats above the indigo Toyama Bay. This "mirage"-like "Himi Seiran" phenomenon inspired Katsushika Hokusai’s eternal admiration in his "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji."
The sea here has a philosopher’s temperament: when the Sea of Japan’s winter waves crash against the shore, fishermen point to the wave crests and say, "That is the breath of the dragon god."
If you have time, be sure to visit the fish market near the final station of the Himi Line and try a shabu-shabu hot pot made with yellowtail cooked in snowmelt water. When the fresh sweetness of the seafood spreads over your tongue, you will understand why haiku poets wrote: "The sea breeze of Himi blows the soul of the snowy mountains into the fishing fires."
✅ Photo Spot 1
Walk 2 km east from Himi Station to a hillside called Keta no Mori, where there is an observation deck: Takashi no Miharashi Observatory.
You can also get off at "Etchu Kokubun" Station for a shorter walk.
This is the best place to photograph the city, sea, and Tateyama Mountain Range together. The prerequisite for great shots is having a large telephoto camera.
Our expectations were dashed by cloudy weather, and on the lonely observation deck, a Japanese man appeared and showed us sunny photos on his phone.
Later we realized those were photos from a scenic advertisement at the foot of the mountain. Perhaps he was also someone whose hopes were disappointed.
✅ Photo Spot 2
Next to Himi Station, there is a three-story commercial complex with an observation deck on the top floor. It is a photo spot for capturing the Himi Line train and the Tateyama Mountain Range together.
✅ Photo Spot 3
This cannot be called a photo spot, but here you can enjoy hot springs and rest. Ganbanyoku Koshinotei.
Mostly locals visit; the large windows in the second-floor resting area face directly toward the sea.

Post by Carter!Mitchell35 | Oct 26, 2025