Two live cameras installed on the Amaharashi coast in northern Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, allow you to check the current conditions of Onna-iwa Rock, the Tateyama mountain range, and Toyama Bay in real time. The live feed is provided by the Amaharashi Tourism Association and the Amaharashi Roadside Station.
The Amaharashi coast is located within the Noto Peninsula National Park and is a scenic spot selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Beaches” and “Japan’s Top 100 White Sand and Green Pine Beaches.” The view of the 3,000-meter-high Tateyama mountain range across Toyama Bay is rare worldwide, making it a popular spot that attracts photographers from all over Japan.
The best time to see the Tateyama mountain range clearly is on a clear winter afternoon. Also, in the early winter mornings (late October to late February, around 5-8 AM before and after sunrise), the fantastical natural phenomenon of “sea fog” (ke-arashi), created by the temperature difference between the seawater and the atmosphere, can occur, attracting many visitors from afar seeking this spectacular view. It is recommended to check the current conditions via the live cameras before visiting.
Weather forecasts, rain radar, and Google Maps are also included at the bottom.
- watch live camera
- Live camera information
- When is the best time of year to see the Tateyama mountain range?
- What is “Kearashi” (sea fog)? Conditions for Occurrence and Best Viewing Time
- Highlights and Photo Spots at Amaharashi Coast
- Access to Amaharashi Coast & Parking
- Weather in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
- Rain cloud radar in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
- Toyama Prefecture weather forecast
- Map of Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture (Google Maps)
- Related videos of Amaharashi Coast
- Nearby Live Cameras
watch live camera
Live camera information
- Distribution type – video
- Distribution/Management – 1. Amaharu Tourism Association 2. Roadside Station Amaharashi
- Installation location – 1. Amaharashi Coast, Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, 933-0133 2. Roadside Station Amaharashi, 24-74 Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, 933-0133
When is the best time of year to see the Tateyama mountain range?
The Tateyama mountain range can be clearly seen from Amaharashi Coast on clear winter days. Snow typically covers the Tateyama range from early October to early June. The sight of the snow-covered peaks reflected in the waters of Toyama Bay is truly one of Toyama’s most iconic views.
For photography, the afternoon is the best time to visit due to the direction of the light, as this provides the most favorable lighting and brings out the most beautiful features of the mountains. Since visibility is poor on cloudy or hazy days, it’s recommended to check the current conditions on this page’s live camera before visiting.
In summer, you can enjoy the refreshing scenery created by the snow-free Tateyama mountain range, the blue sea, and the JR Himi Line trains. It has a completely different atmosphere from winter, making it a spot that attracts photographers throughout the year.
What is “Kearashi” (sea fog)? Conditions for Occurrence and Best Viewing Time
Kearashi (sea fog) is a natural phenomenon where a mist-like vapor rises from the sea surface due to the temperature difference between the cold air and the seawater. It is also written as “毛嵐” (kearashi).
At Amaharashi Coast, it can be seen from late October to late February, on cold early mornings, around sunrise (approximately 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM). The sight of the fantastical sea fog overlapping with the snow-covered Tateyama mountain range is called a “miraculous spectacle,” and photographers from all over Japan gather during the season.
The conditions most conducive to sea fog formation are mainly the following three:
There is a strong drop in temperature due to radiative cooling.
The temperature difference between the daytime and early morning of the previous day is approximately 10°C or more.
The wind is light.
The morning when these three conditions are met is the best time to photograph sea fog. Since you need to wait at the location before sunrise, it is ideal to stay overnight to prepare for the early morning. The winter coast is windy and the perceived temperature is low, so please be sure to bring proper cold-weather gear such as down jackets and hand warmers when you visit.
Highlights and Photo Spots at Amaharashi Coast
Meiwa (Woman Rock)
This rock is a symbol of Amaharashi Coast and is located offshore. It is a large rock with an area of approximately 400m² and a circumference of approximately 80m². It is said to have been named “Woman Rock” because the small rocks scattered around it resemble a mother and child. A photograph of Woman Rock with the Tateyama mountain range in the background is a classic and representative shot of Amaharashi Coast.
Otokoiwa (Man Rock)
This rock is quietly located behind Woman Rock. It is less conspicuous than Woman Rock and is often overlooked, but please try to find it when you visit.
Yoshitsune Rock and Yoshitsune Shrine
This rock is associated with a legend that Minamoto no Yoshitsune waited in its shelter for a sudden rain shower to clear while fleeing to Oshu. The story of “the rain clearing” is the origin of the place name “Amaharashi.” A shrine dedicated to Yoshitsune is located near the rock, allowing visitors to enjoy a historical atmosphere.
Amaharashi Roadside Station Observation Deck (2nd & 3rd Floors)
Opened in 2018, the Amaharashi Roadside Station features observation decks on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The 3rd-floor deck is a rapidly growing popular spot among photographers, offering the opportunity to capture both the JR Himi Line running along the coast and the Tateyama mountain range simultaneously in their railway photographs. The deck is open 24 hours a day and can also be used for photographing sea fog in the early morning.
Access to Amaharashi Coast & Parking
Access by Train
Get off at JR Himi Line “Amaharashi Station” and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the coast. From October to March, you can also access the coast using the “Toyama Burikani Bus.”
Access by Car
Approximately 15 minutes by car from the Nōetsu Expressway “Takaoka Kita IC.” Approximately 25 minutes from Takaoka Station. If using a car navigation system, setting “Michi-no-Eki Amaharashi” as your destination is convenient.
Parking Information
There are a total of four parking lots (free of charge): two on the east and west sides of Michi-no-Eki Amaharashi, plus a second parking lot and a temporary parking lot. On clear days when the Tateyama mountain range is clearly visible, congestion and traffic jams may occur, so please try to arrive early. You can check the real-time congestion status in advance using the parking lot’s live camera.
Weather in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
Rain cloud radar in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture weather forecast
Map of Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture (Google Maps)
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