Itoigawa is the only place in Japan where jadeite is found in significant quantities along the shoreline.
The jade found here originates from the Omi-Kotaki River area, transported to the sea by the Himekawa River over millennia.
The coastline is part of a Geopark that recognizes the region as the site where the Japanese archipelago was split millions of years ago.
Visitors are legally permitted to collect stones, but large jade boulders are protected by the local Geopark regulations.
The jadeite found here is often white, green, or lavender, though it is frequently covered by a weathered outer layer called a rind.
Jade Coast, known locally as Hisui Kaigan, is a shoreline in Itoigawa, Niigata, famous for the natural occurrence of jade pebbles washed up by the waves. The beach is situated within the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, which highlights the area's significant geological history involving the collision of tectonic plates. Visitors can find translucent green jade stones among the ordinary river stones carried down to the coast by the Himekawa River. Unlike many beaches, the ground is primarily composed of smooth stones rather than sand. It serves as a major focal point for rockhounding enthusiasts and geology researchers. The region is historically linked to ancient jade manufacturing dating back to the Jomon period.
At the water's edge where the contrast between the dark stones and the green hue of wet jade is most visible.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear, as the shore is covered in loose, uneven stones rather than sand.
Visit immediately after a storm or strong winds, as high waves turn over the seabed and bring more stones to the surface.
Bring a small spray bottle of water to wet the stones; wet jade is significantly easier to identify by its characteristic glow and texture.
Do not attempt to swim in rough conditions; the steep stone shoreline creates dangerous undertows and sudden drop-offs.
Do not remove large rocks or boulders to preserve the geological integrity of the beach; only collect small loose pebbles.
