Beautiful Sunsets Selected Among Japan’s Best
Taki Town is known as a “Town of 100 Best Sunsets”, and the sunset viewed from Kirara Taki is particularly impressive. The location has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunset Spots.
During the day, the cobalt-blue sea and wide open sky create a refreshing coastal atmosphere. As evening approaches, the scenery gradually changes. The setting sun sinks toward the horizon, bathing the sky and sea in shades of deep orange and crimson.
Watching the sun slowly disappear over the Sea of Japan creates a peaceful sense that time has temporarily slowed down. The sunset is also popular with photographers, and many visitors come specifically to enjoy this beautiful coastal view.
Kirara Beach and Its Cobalt-Blue Waters
Stairs from the roadside station lead directly toward Kirara Beach, a beautiful sandy beach where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the Sea of Japan up close.
The beach has relatively shallow and calm waters, making it a popular destination for swimming during summer. Families and other visitors gather here to enjoy the sea, sand, and open coastal landscape.
During the swimming season, lifeguards are stationed at the beach, while facilities such as showers, changing rooms, and shops make it convenient for visitors to spend time by the sea.
From spring through autumn, lucky visitors may even spot wild dolphins playing offshore. Seeing them swim with their dorsal fins above the water or leap from the sea can be a memorable and unexpected highlight of a visit.
Taki Figs – A Local Specialty
One of the highlights of Kirara Taki is Taki figs, a famous local specialty. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, Taki Town has a favorable natural environment for growing figs. The sea breeze from the Sea of Japan helps create fruit known for its rich sweetness and fragrant flavor.
The main variety grown here is Horaishi, a relatively rare traditional Japanese fig variety. It has thin skin, high sugar content, a pleasantly grainy texture, and a rich sweetness.
Taki figs have also been selected as one of Shimane Prefecture’s important regional brand products and are regarded as one of the prefecture’s representative agricultural specialties.
At the roadside station, visitors can purchase a variety of products made with Taki figs, including jam, dried figs, sweets, and other treats. Fresh figs are also sold during their main season, generally from late July through around the end of October. Because they are popular, freshly harvested figs may sell out quickly.
Enjoy Local Food at the Food Court and Restaurants
Kirara Taki offers several places where visitors can enjoy a casual meal. The food court and restaurants serve dishes featuring fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan as well as ingredients produced in the local area.
Izumo Seafood Takoyaki
One of the station’s popular specialties is Izumo Seafood Takoyaki. Unlike ordinary takoyaki, these savory octopus dumplings contain not only octopus but also other seafood such as shrimp and scallops.
The outside is lightly crisp and fragrant, while the inside remains soft and creamy, with generous pieces of seafood throughout. It has become a popular local-style snack among visitors exploring the Izumo area.
Fresh Seafood Dishes
Restaurants at the facility also serve dishes prepared with fresh seafood landed along the Sea of Japan coast. One popular choice is a seafood rice bowl, generously topped with locally caught fish and other seafood.
Other options include squid rice bowls and seafood-and-salmon-roe rice bowls, offering travelers a chance to enjoy the flavors of the San’in coast. Eating a seafood meal while looking out toward the sea makes the experience even more memorable.
Freshly Baked Bread at Kirara Bakery
The roadside station is also home to Kirara Bakery, a popular bakery known for its freshly baked bread and products made with locally grown Taki figs.
One of its specialties is Fig and Walnut Bread. The bread combines a fragrant walnut-filled dough with plenty of dried figs, creating a gentle sweetness and pleasant nutty flavor.
An eat-in area is available inside the bakery, allowing visitors to enjoy freshly baked bread while taking in views of the Sea of Japan.
Outdoor Adventures at Kirara Cottage
Just a few minutes by car from the roadside station is Kirara Cottage, an accommodation and outdoor recreation facility located on elevated ground beside the sea.
The facility offers cottages, log cabins, and an auto-camping area, making it a convenient choice for families and groups of friends who want to spend more time surrounded by nature.
The cottages are equipped with facilities such as kitchens and showers, making them accessible even for travelers who are new to outdoor stays. Barbecue facilities and an athletic play area are also available, providing activities for both children and adults.
From the hilltop, visitors can enjoy expansive views across the Sea of Japan. On clear days, the horizon seems to stretch endlessly into the distance.
Marine Thalasso Izumo – Wellness by the Sea
Near Kirara Taki is Marine Thalasso Izumo, a wellness facility that incorporates thalassotherapy, a form of marine therapy using seawater and other resources from the ocean.
The facility features heated seawater pools and jet baths where visitors can combine gentle exercise with relaxation. With the Sea of Japan spreading out before you, it offers a peaceful opportunity to refresh both body and mind.
Relax at Taki Fig Hot Spring
Nearby, Taki Fig Hot Spring is a convenient day-use hot-spring facility where visitors can relax after sightseeing.
The hot-spring water has been stored underground for more than 500 years and rises naturally to the surface. Two types of hot-spring water with different qualities can be enjoyed at the facility.
The sodium chloride and sulfate springs are said to warm the body thoroughly and help keep the skin moisturized. There is also a herbal bath using fig leaves, adding a distinctive local touch to the bathing experience.
A Scenic Coastal Drive
The area around Kirara Taki is ideal for a scenic drive along the Sea of Japan. The Kirara Beach Line follows the coastline and continues toward the Izumo Taisha area, offering beautiful views of the sea along the way.
Driving this coastal route around sunset is particularly memorable, as the changing colors of the sky and sea create a spectacular backdrop. Located about 30 minutes by car from Izumo Taisha, Kirara Taki is also an easy addition to an Izumo sightseeing itinerary.
A Roadside Station Where Izumo and the Sea of Japan Meet
Kirara Taki Roadside Station is much more than a place to stop during a drive. It is a sightseeing destination where visitors can experience the natural beauty, food, outdoor activities, and relaxing atmosphere of the Sea of Japan coast.
Enjoy the panoramic ocean views, taste local specialties such as Taki figs and seafood, explore the beach, or relax at a nearby hot spring. Travelers can also stay overnight and enjoy outdoor activities surrounded by the coastal landscape.
Combining Kirara Taki with a visit to Izumo Taisha is an excellent way to experience a different side of Izumo. Here, the beauty of the Sea of Japan and the distinctive flavors of the local region come together to create a memorable stop on your journey through Shimane.