Shirahama: Lake Tazawa’s White Sand Beach
Shirahama beach stretches along Lake Tazawa’s eastern shore, located in the Haruyama district of Semboku City. Literally meaning “white beach,” it is a clean swathe of white sand along the deep blue waters of the lake. The sand’s color comes from the high concentration of quartz particles.
For many years, the beach was famous for its nakisuna, or “singing sand,” which would make a high-pitched sound when walked upon. While not everyone will hear the sand’s songs, the pristine beach can be enjoyed by all visitors.
Lake Tazawa is fed by the area’s many river systems and boasts some of the purest waters in all of Japan. In summer, the beach is a popular place to swim and participate in other water sports, like pedal boating and paddle-boarding.
The lake’s clear blue water, combined with the surrounding forests and mountains in the distance, make for a stunning setting in which to enjoy a day of leisure, whether by lounging on the beach or cycling around the lake.
A one-kilometer long footpath runs between the pleasure boat dock and Horai-no-matsu, a roughly 300-year-old pine tree with one of the best vantage points to view the lake.