This is the view! 8 Recommended Sunset Spots in Japan

1. Ogonmisaki (Hokkaido)

The first spot on this list is Ogonmisaki (Cape Ogon) in Rumoi, Hokkaido. Facing the Sea of Japan, this cape is a spot where you can marvel at the beautiful sun as it sets into the ocean. The view of the shore, which is characterized by oddly-shaped rocks that are hit by rough waves, being painted orange by the setting sun is considered one of the best sunsets in all of Japan. Rumoi is a town that originally thrived as a spot for catching herring, so there is a lookout for herring on this cape. The name Ogonzaki (“ogon” means gold and “saki/zaki” means cape in Japanese) came from the honey-gold color that schools of herring emanate when they are hit by the light of the setting sun.

2. Gyobumisaki (Chiba)

Gyobumisaki (Cape Gyobu) is a cape that is located at the northern end of Kujukuri where you can enjoy an unbroken view of the Pacific Ocean. If you come here for the sunset, then it would be best to go to the Iioka Gyobumisaki Tenbokan Hikari to Kaze (Iioka Gyobumisaki Viewing Platform Light and Wind) at the tip of this cape. The view from the observatory, where you can get a panoramic view from Inubozaki on the easternmost part of Kanto region up to the Boso Peninsula on the south, is truly stunning! You can fully enjoy the scene of the setting sun and the sea that is sparkling in golden colors from the light of the sunset. This place is also famous for its gorgeous nightscape. If it’s a clear day and the visibility is good, you can even see Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree.

3. Nanaura Kaigan (Niigata)

There is a place in Sado Island, an island on the western part of Niigata that floats on the Sea of Japan, that is famous for its sunset: Nanaura Kaigan (Nanaura Coastline). Stretching over a distance of 10km, this shoreline is found on the west of Sado Island. Within this spot, the area near the center of the coastline is particularly recommended. Here, there are two large rocks called “meoto-iwa” (husband-and-wife rocks) that are related to a legend about gods, and you will definitely enjoy the mystical sight of the sun setting on these rocks. Apart from that, you can also see a picture-perfect evening scene at Kasugazaki, a northerly plateau that has stone lanterns, and Nagatemisaki (Cape Nagate), a spot that is symbolized by a lighthouse.

4. Yuhigaura Kaigan (Kyoto)

Yuhigaura Kaigan (Yuhigaura Shoreline), which is located in Kyotango on the Sea of Japan side of Kyoto, is also a wonderful spot for sunsets. Here, you can admire the setting sun that shines upon the silhouette of rocks during summer, and the sun that sets on the western mountains in spring and winter. Visitors are also urged to go for a stroll on the walking path “Yuhi no Michi” (Sunset Road) along the sandy beach while being embraced by the pleasant sea breeze. There is also a line of benches where you can sit and marvel at the magical sunset.

5. Tottori Sakyu (Tottori)

The Tottori Sakyu (Tottori Sand Dunes) that is found in Tottori on the side of the Sea of Japan, is the largest sand dune system in Japan. It is a spot with a natural landscape that was created by the accumulation of the sand that has been carried by the river and the wind over 100,000 years. These sand dunes measure 2.4km north to south, and 16km east to west, commanding an overwhelming presence with a maximum height difference of 90m. If you want to check out this spot for its famed sunset, then it would be best to come in the summer to see the sun setting over the Sea of Japan. The sight of the massive sand dunes interwoven with the constantly changing evening sky will captivate anybody.

6. Shimane Art Museum (Shimane)

Located in Matsue, the Shimane Art Museum is a museum that is famous for its gorgeous sunset. It is a spot filled with a tranquil atmosphere that stands on the banks of Shinjiko (Lake Shinji). Its lobby has a gentle curve design that faces the lake, creating a beautiful space that looks like it is one with the scene. At dusk, you can marvel at the beauty of the sunset and the reddish sky and lake from the large glass windows. You’ll be glad to know that this museum remains open for 30 minutes after the sunset from March through September, so you can leisurely admire the sunset.

7. Shiudeyama (Kagawa)

Shiudeyama (Mt. Shiude) is located in the heart of Shonai Peninsula that faces the sea in three directions, on the western tip of Kagawa. The view of the sunset from its summit is also recommended. There is an observation deck on the 352m-high summit, and from there, you can get an unbroken view of the islands floating in Setonaikai (Inland Sea of Japan), the sparkling sea, and Seto Ohashi (Great Seto Bridge) during the day. And when the weather is nice, you can see as far as the Chugoku region and Shodo Island. At dusk, you can catch an even more beautiful scene, that of the sunset whose colors vary depending on the season and time. You will get to encounter a picturesque scene that will refresh your soul.

8. Sakurai Futamigaura (Fukuoka)

Sakurai Futamigaura in Itoshima has been designated by the prefectural government as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Here, the so-called married couple rocks, symbols of marriage and matrimonial happiness, stand in the middle of the sea about 150m from the shore. If you want to see the sunset here, then the best time to catch it would have to be during the summer solstice (around June 21st). You will be able to see the sun setting right in the middle of those two rocks! Given this divine beauty, this spot draws a lot of spectators.

This list features a wide array of spots in Japan from north to south. The views at these places considerably change depending on the weather condition and other elements, so there are no guarantees that you will always get to see a breathtaking sunset. But still, these are all spots that are worth checking out for a chance to get a glimpse of a beautiful sunset.