# Jodogahama Beach

> Named for its resemblance to a Buddhist paradise, Jodogahama is a white pebble beach backed by sharp white rock formations and crystal-clear emerald waters.

- Prefecture: Iwate
- Type: Attraction
- Address: Miyako, Iwate, Japan
- Admission: Free
- Official site: https://www.city.miyako.iwate.jp/kanko/jyoudogahama.html

Jodogahama Beach is one of the Sanriku Coast's most striking natural landscapes, located just outside Miyako City in Iwate Prefecture. The beach gets its name from a monk who is said to have remarked that this was truly the Pure Land of Buddha upon seeing its otherworldly beauty. Sharp white rhyolite rock spires rise from the turquoise waters, creating a dramatic backdrop to the white pebble beach. The area is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park, and visitors can take sightseeing boat tours to explore the caves and rock formations from the water, often accompanied by flocks of black-tailed gulls. The Jodogahama Visitor Center provides exhibits on the area's geological history and the ecology of the Rias coastline.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Jodogahama Beach?

From JR or Sanriku Railway Miyako Station, a bus takes about 20 minutes (around ¥220), or it is a 40-minute walk from the Jodogahama Visitor Center. Miyako is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Morioka by the JR Yamada Line or by bus.

### What is Jodogahama Beach known for?

This "Pure Land" beach on the Sanriku coast has sawtooth white rhyolite rock spires rising over clear water. A 17th-century monk named it after the Buddhist paradise. The Blue Cave (Hachinohe-ana) can be visited by small sappa-boat tours.

### Are there fees and when can I swim there?

The beach is free and open year-round, with swimming from mid-July to mid-August. The small sappa-boat tour to the Blue Cave costs around ¥1,500, and the larger sightseeing boats cost around ¥1,600.

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Source: Jodogahama Beach — Japan Voyage