SAND DUNES IN JAPAN

Chiba , Tateyama, Sunayama ( Sand Mountain )

This is the biggest known sand dune in the Kanto area. It has huge, wide, steep runs. It is not easily accessible but is without a doubt the best known dune in Japan .

To get there take the expressway to Kisarazu in Chiba . The Aqualine out of Tokyo is quick but costs a few thousand yen in road toll. The long way goes right around the water and is not recommended, especially for those on a day trip. The sand dune is right beside the Tateyama Grand Hotel (Ph: 0470291111). Heading there is best done by car navigation or by going south at the Kisarazu interchange and taking highway 127, which is actually a winding country road. While on your way to Tateyama there is another recently built expressway that cuts off a lot of travel time for a few hundred yen. When you eventually find the Tateyama Grand Hotel you can see the dune from the road or car park. This is actually the back of the main dune. Make sure you go around to the other side. You can get there by heading East away from the hotel and taking a left. Turn left into a sand road just after a mini bridge as shown on the hand drawn map provided. You will see the small stream and huge dune face on your left about 100m down.

If you are going to go by train you can get the super express straight there. The train is called the "View Sazanami" and leaves from Platform 1 of Tokyo JR station. From Tateyama station take the bus to Tateyama Grand Hotel and get off at " Tateyama Grand Hotel mae ". The last return bus to Tateyama station is at 4pm so be sure not to miss it if you are only there for the day.

Shizuoka , Shimoda, Touji Sand Skiing Area

This dune is steep, making nice fast runs easy. The car park here has free parking on the off season months of September to June. This dune is right on the beach so those who are not interested in boarding can go for swim swims.

If your going by car put it in your car navigation or go from Atsugi interchange to Odawara, Atami. Go along the 135 Highway which is parallel to the Shirahama coastline. There is a sign for Touji ( ?? ) just after the Seawater onsen on the left. Then further down the road is a sign for the sand skiing area ( ??????? ) just after the 4 th tunnel. The trip takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. There is free parking outside of summertime.

You can go by direct train from Tokyo JR station. Get on the Odoriko Super Express and get off at Izu. The journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes. Then get the bus from stand number 2 and get off as soon as you hit the beach. This takes about 15 minutes.

Onjuku Sand Skiing Area

The 'Charm Point' of this dune bowl is that it is near the famous clean Onjuku surfing beach. There are several medium hills here, all with different riding experiences to offer. The angles of the slopes are different so both beginners and pros can have a great time. One slope also provides some natural jumps.

From Tokyo by car

Take the Azumazeki East expressway to Omiya interchange and then take highway 128.

Head into Onjuku central and use the map provided from there as it is a doozy. The dune is marked as a red square on the map.

Tottori Dune

Fukuoka Prefecture

Comment from customer - "I went to numerous areas along the beach in search of good runs but found that the amount of pine being planted had increased. Anyway, I will try my best in the usable areas."

• You can enjoy sandboarding in various areas along the Fukuoka Coast .
• There are slopes with a range of 15 to 30 degrees tilt.
• The run lengths are approximately 100m maximum.
• There are run widths of up to 200m.
• There are hard-sand natural jumps.
• You can slide straight into the water at the bottom.

Houjou Dune

Yamagata Prefecture

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Sendai

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Remember you can contact Sand Sports Japan at any time if you need help getting to any of these locations or require more information or a sandboard. We also appreciate any input regarding these locations.