An overview of the beautiful nature and outdoor activities of Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan

Experience the outdoors

Hirado is blessed with beautiful nature. Mountains, forests, beaches, spectacular cliffs and large open grass fields can all be found here. Those that prefer physical activities can climb one the mountains that provide excellent views over the surrounding islands. For those that prefer a more relaxing approach to good day out; there are some top-class beaches to be found in Hirado. Charters or excursions out onto the sea can be arranged too and provide a different view of the islands. Whatever you like, don't let a visit to Hirado go by without experiencing the beautiful outdoors!

Beaches
Neshiko Beach Hirado’s sea is beautiful and going to Neshiko Beach will almost certainly convince anyone. The beach was listed as one of Japan’s best 88 beaches, partially because of the extreme clarity of the water and the beautiful white sand of the beach. It is located in a shallow bay which allows many people to walk and swim in the water. It is thought to be the most popular beach in summertime. Click here for more information
Hitotsuku Beach This is another one of Hirado’s beautiful beaches. Located only a very short drive from famous Neshiko beach it is arguably just as beautiful. Many people come here in summer as an alternative for Neshiko beach. Click here for more information
Arasaki Beach This is a beautiful municipal beach with white sand. Especially families come to this beach in high season. Access is easy, there are plenty of free parking spaces and it also has facilities like toilets and showers. Therefore it has gained considerable popularity by word of mouth. The wave breakers provide a calm sea at all times, making it particularly suitable for children. Click here for more information
Nishihama Beach The sea is very quiet at this beach since it is located in a small inlet. A little rocky island with a little shrine on it sits right in front of the beach. It is connected to the road by a little walkway and one can use a robe for the short steep climb up the rock. Behind this, the beach looks out over Tsubute Rock, a protected part of Saikai National Park. Click here for more information
Ichiroku Beach This beach is very shallow and has a calm sea. Many families come here in summertime. The concrete steps next to this beach are very convenient to sit on and take a rest. Click here for more information
Senrigahama Beach This is Hirado’s largest sandy beach in the northern area of the island. It faces the Strait of Hirado, and stretches from the rest area all the way south towards Kawachi village. At the southern end of the beach one can find the birthstone of Zheng Chenggong which is marked with a memorial stone. Click here for more information

Mountains
	Mount Shijiki-san Located at the southernmost tip of Hirado island, mount Shijiki-san rises 347 metres above sea level. It is an old mountain made of a volcanic rock called andesite. It is well known for its easily recognisable pointy top from which one has a fantastic view over Hirado and the surrounding islands. It is registered as an important part of Saikai National Park. Click here for more information
	Mount Yasuman-dake With a height of 535 metres, Yasuman-dake is the highest mountain in Hirado. The whole mountain is covered with thick forest from which many clear mountain streams spring that eventually form the small Kouzone river. At the west side of the mountain there’s a cliff from which you have a great view of the surroundings though caution is advised. Click here for more information
	Tsubute-iwa Rock Tsubute-iwa Rock is located on the west coast of the southern part of Hirado island and dominates the area. The top of the mountain consists of sedimentary rock and with its ragged rock shapes looks like a pile of thrown stones from which it got its name. The whole Tsubute Rock region has been registered as a special protected area of Saikai National Park for its rare plants. Click here for more information
	Mount Shiratake Mount Shiratake is located in the very north of Hirado Island. It is 250 metres high and its name means `white mountain`. The top is a great spot for viewing the islands around the northern part of Hirado Island plus further away islands such as Iki and Tsushima. It is approximately only a three minute walk from the parking lot to the top of the mountain. Click here for more information

Meadows and Views
Kawachi-tôge Pass From the top of Kawachi-tôge Pass one has a unique panoramic view. To the west are the Northern Ninety-nine Islands, to the north the beginning of the Genkai Sea and further away one can spot Iki Island and Tsushima Island. It is close to Hirado City and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Click here for more information
Nakaze Meadow This large meadow overlooks the southern parts of the Genkai Sea. On the coast there are interlocking, mainly hexagonal, basalt columns of up to 20 metres high, so from the elevated field at the top of these colums one can see as far as Iki Island. Click here for more information
Tainohana Park From the highest mountain in Hirado, Mount Yasuman-dake, a ridge stretches to the south. Tainohana Park is located at the end of the ridge. There are toilet facilities, parking spaces, spacious grassy areas with picnic tables and a viewing platform available Click here for more information

Cliffs
	Obae Lighthouse Located at the northern tip of Ikitsuki Island, this white lighthouse is built at the top of steep cliffs that rise almost 100 metres straight out of the sea. Standing at the top of the cliffs, the sweeping views over the sea are impressive. Click here for more information
	Oga Precipice The Oga precipice is located on Oshima Island where nature is still abound. On the north east coast of the island are these steep cliffs, not too far away from the harbour of Onezaka. Above the cliffs is the Oga Campsite where one can camp all year round.. Click here for more information
	Ikitsuki Basalt Columns The west coast of Ikitsuki Island consists almost entirely of cliffs but halfway up the coast there are rock formations that stand out These are the Ikitsuki Basalt Columns called `shiodawara` in Japanese which means `salt bag` since they resemble the shape of traditional Japanese straw bags used to pack salt. Click here for more information