The Jogasaki Coast is a part of the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark located on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, and is located approximately 140 km (84 mi) south of Tokyo.
Driving to Jogasaki can take anywhere between 2 and 3 hours if you take the expressway from Tokyo, or about 4 or 5 hours if you avoid any toll roads.
Parking lot at the Jogasaki-Kaigan Parking Lot (城ヶ崎海岸駐車場) is available at a flat rate of 500 yen.
Google Maps link:
Address:
842-242 Futo, Itō, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0232
〒413-0232 静岡県伊東市富戸842-242
Access by train and bus is also possible. You can take a JR Line from Shinagawa Station (Ito Line, Ueno-Tokyo Line, Odoriko Line, Shinkansen bullet train) to Atami and transfer to the Izu-Kyuko Line to Jogasaki-Kaigan Station.
Google Maps link:
Address:
Futo, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0231
〒413-0231 静岡県伊東市富戸
User Hyperdia to configure your train route and timetable:
Recommended sites for travel, history, and activity information:
Japan National Tourism Organization: Jogasaki Coast 城ヶ崎海岸 (English and many other languages available)
Japan Visitor: Jogasaki Coast, Ito City, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture 城ヶ崎海岸 伊東市 伊豆半島 静岡県 (English)
Tourist in Japan: Jogasaki Coast Hike (English)
References used in this blog:
Jogasaki Coast (城ヶ崎海岸, Jōgasaki Kaigan)
城ヶ崎海岸
Kadowaki Lighthouse (門脇埼灯台 / kadowaki-zaki todai)
Suspension Bridge
The first time I crossed the Kadowaki Suspension Bridge (門脇吊橋 / Kadowaki-tsuribashi) was back in the 1980s. At that time, the bridge would vibrate and swing quite a bit, especially if people tried jumping up and down on it. The bridge deteriorated and was completely replaced in 1997 and is extremely rigid now. The bridge straddles coastal cliffs with a small picnic area on the northern side of a deep, narrow inlet and a lighthouse on the southern side. The bridge is also part of the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark. (Jogasaki Coast, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan)
Japanese Black-Eared Kite
This raptor can be found throughout most of Japan, and there were many flying gracefully over the cliffs and sea stacks of Jogasaki Coast (Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan). Unlike other raptors, the black kite (鳶 / tonbi or tobi) is a scavenger. So, I wasn’t surprised to see them near the Jogasaki coastline following the many fishing boats sailing up and down the coast hauling in their catch from the deep coastal waters.
Coastal Cliffs
View of the waves crashing against the steep cliffs along the Jogasaki coastline (Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan). The cliffs were formed by a large lava flow that reached the ocean from a nearby volcano, Mt. Omuro. The lava flowed (approx. 4,000 years ago) to the sea and cooled when hitting the sea surface creating columnar joints.
Coastal Cliffs
Morning light bathes the steep cliffs along the Jogasaki coastline (Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan). These cliffs were formed when a lava flow from approx. 4,000 years ago struck the seawater surface and cooled creating columnar joints.
Jogasaki Coast Beach
Following along one of several paths at the Jogasaki Geo Park (Jogasaki Coast, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) revealed this view of a rocky beach far below the coastal cliffs. I was impressed with how clear the water was and both surprised and relieved that there were no visible plastics or other garbage that had washed ashore this beach.
Coastal Cliffs and Sea Stack
The sea stack (left) has varying shades of dark gray and black thus columnar joints indicating magma that flowed directly into the sea and cooled rapidly. Conversely, the red rock (right) appears to be scoria, which indicates magma with dissolved gas that may have cooled and solidified on the surface of an older lava flow.
Japanese Black-Eared Kite
Close-up shot of a Japanese black-eared kite (a kind of raptor) perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking Jogasaki Coast (Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan).
Kadowaki Lighthouse
Built in 1995, the Kadowaki Lighthouse (門脇埼灯台 / kadowaki-zaki todai) helps ships safely navigate the sea routes between Jogasaki Coast and Oshima Island, which lies about 23 km (14 mi) off the coast. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy panoramic views of the cape.
Coastal Cliffs
Cliffs along the Jogasaki coastline (Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) formed over 4,000 years ago when magma from a nearby volcano flowed into the sea and quickly cooled forming columnar joints that can be easily seen near the waterline.
Outcrop of Volcanic Rock
View of Sagami Bay from an outcrop named Mozugane (モズガ根) formed of various types of volcanic rock. This outcrop is also a popular location for fishing if you dare get close enough to the cliff’s edge.
Border Collie on Coastal Trail
Although we arrived early to shoot the coastline, it was already very hot and humid by 6:00 a.m. Here, I am giving Dale-chan a much needed rest as we hiked the Jogasaki Coast trail into the humid woodlands that flourish atop the jagged cliffs of the Jogasaki coastline.
Lone Flower on Volcanic Rock
Shot of a coastal day lily growing among on a barren outcrop of volcanic rock that juts out into the sea. This particular type of lily can be seen in other rocky and inhospitable-looking areas along the Jogasaki Nature Study Course—a trail that extends for almost 10 km along the Jogasaki coastline.
Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.
Camera Gear:
Pentax KP
https://amzn.to/2EbbLRZ
Standard zoom lens: smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL[IF] DC WR
https://amzn.to/2Ysz5lJ
Telephoto zoom lens: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
https://amzn.to/3iNEsDF
Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
https://amzn.to/2Fqpghd
Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
https://amzn.to/3g6WI9j
Video Gear:
Canon EOS Kiss M/M50 Double Zoom Kit
https://amzn.to/2Ef3mNg
SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
https://amzn.to/32c0FFL
RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
https://amzn.to/35lygz1
https://amzn.to/2Ef3mNg
SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
https://amzn.to/32c0FFL
RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
https://amzn.to/35lygz1
Filters & Filter Systems:
PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter - 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
https://amzn.to/37hjkBv
https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
https://amzn.to/37hjkBv
Pack:
F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
https://amzn.to/2XfjDIE
F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
https://amzn.to/3pXW57n
https://amzn.to/2XfjDIE
F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
https://amzn.to/3pXW57n
*Links to Amazon are affiliated links, which means that if you choose to purchase an item that I may get a small commission, which has no effect on your purchase price whatsoever.
Music tracks used in the YouTube video were licensed through Epidemic Sound. Visit this link to subscribe:
“Blue Flares” composed and performed by Trevor Kowalski.
“Secrets of the Earth” composed by Daniel Kadawatha and performed by Lama House.
“Sixteen Hours” composed by Ian Luxton and performed by Lasse Lyx.
“Timeless Clouds” composed and performed by Luwaks.
“Bermuda” composed by Henrik Olsson and performed by Ooyy.
Photos used with permission.
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Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.
