Sanriku Coast and Goishi Beach — Dramatic Cliffs and Strange Rocks of Iwate

The Sanriku Coast of eastern Iwate is roughly 200 kilometers of shoreline where the complex terrain of a rias coast produces one dramatic view after another. Among its highlights, Goishi Coast near Ofunato is known for wave-carved rocks and cliffs and ranks as a signature spot of Sanriku Fukkou (Recovery) National Park. This article focuses on Goishi Coast, a representative sight of the southern Sanriku Coast.

Terrain and Nature of the Sanriku Coast

The Sanriku Coast divides into a northern section of rias coastline, formed as mountains sank into the sea, and a southern section of well-developed coastal terraces. The intricate bays hold calm water and have long supported rich fisheries. On the headlands facing the open ocean, by contrast, wind and heavy waves have carved the rock over ages into dynamic cliffs and strange formations. Goishi Coast lies on the Massaki Peninsula in the southern section, in Ofunato.

Highlights of Goishi Coast

The name Goishi ("go stones") comes from the beach of black, flat pebbles (rounded mudstone) that lie scattered like the stones of the board game Go. Along about 3 kilometers, natural sculpture is dotted throughout: Anatooshi-iso, a run of sea caves; Kaminari-iwa (Thunder Rock), where waves crash with a thunder-like roar; and the distinctively shaped Kinchaku-iwa. A walking path through a red pine grove links the scattered scenic points, and there are eateries serving fresh seafood.

Seasonal Notes

Early summer through autumn, when sea and greenery are at their finest, is especially recommended, ideal for walking the path and watching black-tailed gulls. From autumn into winter, waves smashing against the rocks make a powerful sight, but winds are strong and the cold sharp, so dress warmly. Clear summer days show off the transparent water and greenery at their best.

Getting There

Take the JR Ofunato Line BRT to Goishi-kaigan-guchi Station, then continue to Goishi Coast by bus or car. From central Morioka it is about 2 hours by car. Walking the path is free, and there is parking nearby. BRT service is infrequent, so check the timetable in advance.

Practical Travel Notes

Walking the path past the main sights takes about an hour one way. There are slopes and rocky stretches, so wear comfortable shoes. The many black-tailed gulls are a highlight in themselves. The Sanriku coast is a treasure house of sea urchin, abalone, wakame, and other seafood, best enjoyed at harbor eateries and roadside stations. Combining Goishi with Rikuzentakata to the south or Miyako and Jodogahama to the north makes for a fine coast-spanning trip. The walk itself is free; even with a seafood meal, a few thousand yen is a good guide.

One Piece of Advice

Goishi Coast is a place to savor natural forms slowly rather than seek spectacle. Walk the beach paved with wave-polished black go stones and listen to the surf breaking against the rocks, and you will feel the raw power of Sanriku's nature firsthand. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll the path at an easy pace.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: about 1 hour one way to tour the main sights along the walking trail
• What to bring and prepare: the trail has ups and downs and rocky areas, so wear comfortable shoes. In autumn and winter the wind is strong and it grows cold, so prepare warm clothing
• Suggested route: take a bus or car from Goishikaiganguchi Station to the Goishi Coast, tour the unusual rocks such as Anatooshi-iso, Kaminari-iwa, and Kinchaku-iwa along the trail, and visit the beach paved with black pebbles
• A note on getting around: the BRT does not run frequently, so it is reassuring to check the timetable in advance
• Local flavor: the Sanriku coast is a treasure trove of seafood such as sea urchin, abalone, and wakame, savored at harbor eateries and roadside stations

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Address: Ohama, Massaki-cho, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture
• Fees: Walking the trail is free of charge
• Parking: 79 spaces for ordinary cars and 13 for large vehicles. The large car park at the start of the trail is listed as having 160 spaces for ordinary cars
• Goishi Coast Information Center: 8:30 to 17:15. Closed over the New Year period (December 29 to January 1). It has full toilet facilities, so it is a safe bet to use them here before you set off
• Meals: The Goishi Coast Rest House has a dining hall with about 100 seats, open 9:00 to 16:00. It serves dishes made with abalone and scallops, and sells local souvenirs
• Drinks: There are no vending machines on the stretch between the car park and Anatooshi-iso Rock. Get something to drink before you set off
• Approximate time needed: About 1 hour 30 minutes for the full circuit of the trail. Just under an hour if you go counterclockwise there and back to see Kaminari-iwa Rock and Ranbokuya Gorge. Allow half a day to have time to spare while enjoying the views
• Footing and clothing: The path follows the natural terrain along sea cliffs. Please walk in comfortable shoes. From autumn into winter the sea wind is strong and it gets cold, so bring an extra layer of warm clothing
• Strollers and wheelchairs: No barrier-free information is given for the trail. There is no problem getting to the Information Center with its toilets or around the car park, but if you are going onto the trail it is safest to check the day's path conditions with the Goishi Coast Information Center
• In wet weather: The trail is an outdoor course with no shelter. On rainy days the Information Center and the Rest House serve as places to take refuge. In stormy weather, however, the waves crash violently against the cliffs, so do not go near the clifftop viewpoints
• Access (by car): About 15 minutes by car from the Ofunato Goishi Kaigan Interchange on the Sanriku Expressway
• Access (by public transport): By bus or car from Goishi-Kaiganguchi Station on the JR Ofunato Line BRT. BRT services are not frequent, so it is reassuring to check the times for both directions first
• Approximate budget: Walking the trail is free of charge. Even including a meal at the Rest House it comes to only a few thousand yen

The Sanriku coast is a treasure house of seafood such as sea urchin, abalone and wakame seaweed, and you can enjoy the flavors of the season at fishing port eateries and roadside stations too. A trip running the length of the Sanriku coast, combining this with Rikuzentakata to the south or Miyako and Jodogahama to the north, is also recommended.

📚 Sources

This article was compiled by our editorial team based on public information from the city of Ofunato and the Ofunato Tourism and Products Association, on-site information boards at the Goishi Coast, general information about the Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park, and public information about the JR Ofunato Line BRT. BRT times and frequency, the condition of the walking trail, and the operation of nearby facilities may change. Before you set out, please check the latest details on the tourist information of the city of Ofunato and the official information of the BRT.

The origin of the name Goishi Coast, the contents of the Eight Views of Goishi (Anatooshi-iso Rock, Kaminari-iwa Rock, Ranbokuya Gorge and Goishizaki Lighthouse), the address, the number of parking spaces, and the opening hours, closing days and toilets of the Goishi Coast Information Center, as well as the travel time from the Ofunato Goishi Kaigan Interchange on the Sanriku Expressway, are based on the tourism guide to the Goishi Coast published by Ofunato City. The distance of about 7.5 kilometers for the full circuit of the trail, the section times to each highlight, and the absence of vending machines on the stretch to Anatooshi-iso Rock come from the same city's guide to the Goishi Coast trail. The number of seats, opening hours and menu of the Goishi Coast Rest House were confirmed with the facility itself and with Iwate Prefecture's tourism guide. Opening hours, BRT timetables and the condition of the trail are subject to change, so please check official information before you set out.