Kannonji Matsubara is a coastal pine forest formed on the Ariake Beach, where sand is carried by the wind and ocean currents to form a sandbar.
The number of pine trees is said to be as many as 50,000, and visitors can enjoy the varied scenery of the pine trees.
The 2,200 old pine trees planted around the Zenigata Sand Paintings are particularly beautiful and complement the sand paintings.
Some of the pine trees are as old as 200 years old, and their various appearances are a delight to the eye.
Visitors may also be able to see the “phantom mushroom,” the shoro. Kannonji Matsubara has been selected as a special area of Setonaikai National Park Type 2 and one of the 100 best places for white sand and green pine trees.
| address | 14 Ariake-cho, Kanonji, Kagawa 768-0062, Japan |
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| map | |
| car | Approximately 14 minutes (7.2 km) by car from the Sanuki Toyonaka IC of Takamatsu Expressway |
| train | 5 minutes by cab from JR Kannonji Station (2 km) |
| pubric bus | There are four Pubric buses a day; take the Pubric Bus Gogo Takamuro Line from JR Kannonji Station and tell the driver to go to “Kotohiki Koen Entrance”. There are no bus stops on the Pubric Bus, and you can get on and off anywhere on the route. (However, you are not allowed to get on and off the bus on Route 11 except at designated spots.) |
| parking lot | available |
- About Matsubara
Plants: Unran, Kawaranadeshiko, Hama-tsubo, Kawarayomogi, Himekefugi, Kasumizakura, Shoro (mushrooms)
Walking time: about 1 hour (about 2 km)
Nearby points of interest：Zenigata Sunae (sand paintings), Jinne-in Kannonji Temple, Kotohiki Hachimangu Shrine, Kosho-ji Temple, Ichiyaan (hermitage), etc.
Summary: From the top of Mt. Kotohiki, a wonderful view of the Zenigata Sunae and pine groves can be seen. The pine groves illuminated by the morning sun and the sunset over the Seto Inland Sea in the background are fascinating.
