The beach is one of the few places in Japan where you can legally find and take home raw jade pebbles washed up by the tides.
The stones are sourced from the sediment of the Himigawa River, which carries minerals from the high-altitude mountains of the Northern Alps down to the coast.
The beach is characterized by its significant lack of fine sand, consisting almost entirely of smoothed, rounded stones of varying sizes.
Due to the steep underwater topography, the water deepens rapidly close to the shore, which is a common feature of Toyama Bay's coastal geography.
The local municipality promotes the beach specifically for 'Jade Hunting' (hisuigari) as a recreational activity for tourists.
Miyazaki-Sakai Beach, located in Asahi Town, Toyama, is widely known as the 'Jade Coast' due to the frequent discovery of raw jade stones washed ashore from the nearby Himigawa River. The coastline features a unique mix of smooth, multi-colored pebbles rather than typical fine sand. It stretches along the Sea of Japan, offering a direct view of the Northern Japan Alps. The beach is officially designated as a place where visitors can hunt for jade and other semi-precious stones. The water quality is high, making it a popular destination for summer swimming and coastal exploration. The surrounding area is part of a geological zone where tectonic shifts contribute to the diversity of stones found on the shore.
The water's edge where the contrast between the green-tinted pebbles and the deep blue Sea of Japan is most visible.
Bring a small container or bag to collect the stones you find, as carrying them by hand is difficult.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear as walking on loose, uneven pebbles can be tiring and unstable in sandals.
Look for stones that are opaque, have a waxy luster, or exhibit a specific shade of pale green to identify potential jade.
Do not attempt to swim in rough sea conditions, as the steep drop-off creates strong undertows.
Do not remove large rocks; only collect small pebbles found on the surface of the beach.
