One spot I would highly recommend is the Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Hamamatsu City.
When it comes to sand dunes, the Tottori Sand Dunes are the most famous, but the Nakatajima Sand Dunes are just as attractive as the famous Tottori Sand Dunes.
Nakadajima Sand Dunes, one of the three largest sand dunes in Japan
Nakatajima Sand Dunes are located in the southern part of Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and are free to enter.
There are no large, high mountains like the horse backs of the Tottori Sand Dunes, as one might imagine from the word "dunes," but rather an impression of sandy beaches spreading out all around.
However, the dunes have a unique charm that is different from the sandy beaches on the coast.
My visit to Nakatajima Sand Dunes was the last of our Hamamatsu dates.
The main part of our date in Hamamatsu was to have lunch at Sawayaka, another famous hamburger restaurant in Shizuoka Prefecture, and then go to Nukumi-no-Mori (Warm Forest), which I had wanted to visit.
We were impressed by the juicy hamburger steak and had a great time in the warm forest like the world of Ghibli, and were about to head home when he said he had one more place he wanted to take me.
That was the Nakadajima Sand Dunes, which I would like to recommend. Although I live nearby, I was surprised that I did not know there were dunes in Shizuoka Prefecture, and at the same time, I was impressed by the value for money of such an easy access to the dunes.
I want to visit there again and again, and I hope you will stop by when you visit Hamamatsu.
Here are some recommendations for Nakatajima Dunes, based on our own experience.
Recommendations for Nakatajima Dunes
There are three points I would like to recommend Nakatajima Dunes. They are access, the size of the dunes, and sunset.
Access
First, let's talk about access.
I went there by car at the time, but I did not have the impression that I had gone out of my way to visit the dunes, but rather, I had a sense of proximity, as if to say, "I didn't know there were dunes in the city.
It was approximately 20-30 minutes from the Hamamatsu interchange.
I had the impression that it was just the right distance to stop by at the end of a date in Hamamatsu.
Another recommendation is that free parking is available at Nakatajima Seaside Park, which is adjacent to Nakatajima Dunes and does not charge for parking.
After returning home, I was so impressed that I wondered if it was possible to go there by train, so I looked it up and found out that it was possible by taking the JR train to Hamamatsu Station and then taking the Entei bus bound for Nakadajima.
It takes 20 minutes from Hamamatsu Station to Nakatajima Sand Dunes Station, which is not as far as by car.
Now I would like to go there by train alone.
Dune size
As I mentioned at the beginning of this report, Nakatajima Sand Dunes are not as large as the Tottori Sand Dunes.
However, its easily enjoyable scale is what makes Nakatajima Sand Dunes unique and attractive.
I have been to the Tottori Sand Dunes, and when I stood at the entrance to the dunes and saw the backs of horses towering far in the distance, I was overwhelmed by the scale of the dunes.
However, it is quite a distance to the horse's back, which is one of the most famous sights in the area.
I remember walking incessantly to reach my goal.
Finally, with the horse's back in front of you, you will now begin to climb toward the summit.
It takes a lot of energy to reach the top, which is quite steep.
I was young at the time, and my friends and I competed to see who could reach the top first.
Compared to such large-scale Tottori Sand Dunes, Nakatajima Sand Dunes are much lighter and more enjoyable.
It is a place where one does not have to be enthusiastic or confident in one's physical strength to enjoy this place.
It is also recommended for those who are short on time, as it can be fully enjoyed in a short period of time.
It is just right for a leisurely stroll while chatting with friends and lovers.
And because the ocean is just a short walk away, you can enjoy a walk on the dunes and the ocean at the same time.
I like the scale of Nakadajima Dunes, which can be enjoyed in such an easy way.
Romantic Sunset
Finally, let's talk about sunsets.
I arrived in the evening, just before sunset.
It was romantic to see the sand spread out all over the place, slightly tinted orange-red by the setting sun.
I was also impressed by the artistic wind ripples created by the wind.
Above all, I was thrilled to see the sunset on the horizon because there was nothing to block the view.
Colored sand, wind ripples, sunset, and all the romantic elements make it perfect for a date.
We took pictures of our shadows on the sand.
It was the best shot of the day, better than the hamburgers and gibberish of the day.
This is the moment when I felt again that the scenery created by natural things is the most beautiful of all.
Afterwards, we sat on the dune watching the sun set and talked about many things as we reflected on today's date.
It was a great day.
Thus, if you are planning to visit Nakatajima Dunes on a date, I definitely recommend the evening.
Ending your date with a view of the sunset on the horizon will surely make your day a perfect one.
After that, I visited Nakadajima Sand Dunes several times on each of my subsequent trips to Shizuoka.
Because the dunes are natural, they look different every time depending on the season, weather, and time of day.
There is a charm that keeps me coming back again and again.
I would recommend this place for that reason as well.
