Fukura: Rock Art, Coast and Festivals

Fukura appeals to travelers who want to combine coastal scenery with traditional culture. Twenty-two Buddhist figures, including a Buddha, are carved into the coastal rocks at Juroku-rakan iwa. The figures were completed in 1868 after five years of work. In clear weather, Tobishima can be seen on the horizon from the area around Juroku-rakan iwa. The island lies 40 kilometers off the coast; whether it is visible depends on the weather. Here, rock art meets sweeping views across the sea.

Rock Art and Coastal Scenery

The Fukura coast is in Nishinohama, Fukura. Juroku-rakan iwa is a five-minute drive from Fukura Station. Road conditions can change, so take them into account when planning your drive. Kamaiso Beach is a five-minute drive from the rock figures. There, a small freshwater spring emerges beneath the sand. In summer, standing in the cool spring water is especially pleasant; natural water conditions may vary. This means there are two distinct highlights nearby: the Buddhist figures carved into the coastal rock at Juroku-rakan iwa, and the spring and water experience at Kamaiso Beach. This overview can help you prioritize the two places according to your interests when planning your day.

Dengaku and Traditional Culture

At Fukura Kuchinomiya of Chokaisan Omonoimi Shrine, the traditional Hanagasa dance is a Dengaku dance performed as a prayer for good health and a bountiful harvest. Fukura Dengaku was selected in 1991 for measures to document intangible folk cultural properties and designated an intangible folk cultural property of Yamagata Prefecture in 1993. The two dates mark distinct steps: first, selection in connection with documentation measures, followed by designation by the prefecture.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The annual main festival of Fukura Kuchinomiya of Chokaisan Omonoimi Shrine takes place on May 4 and 5. The Juroku-rakan Festival is held every year in late July; a ceremony praying for safety at sea is held in front of Juroku-rakan iwa. The dates mark different cultural highlights: a main festival at the shrine in early May, and a prayer for safety at sea by the rock figures in late July. If you want to plan your visit around a festival, check the event dates for the year you plan to travel.

Noodle Restaurant in Fukura

Sunset Juroku Rakan is a noodle restaurant at 7-30 Nishidate, Fukura. Check the latest operating information before your visit.

Choose the Right Focus

When looking for a holiday rental in Fukura, consider whether your trip will focus mainly on coastal scenery, a summer spring-water experience, or Dengaku culture and festival dates. Juroku-rakan iwa, Kamaiso Beach and Fukura Kuchinomiya cater to these different interests. The annual festivals may also help you choose when to travel.

Discover More Destinations

Sakata, Takahata, Nishimurayama District, Tendo, Higashine, Nan'yō, Shinjō, Yonezawa

For the broader travel overview: Yamagata Prefecture.