Fukui

Kocho Gate & Guano Rock

Two rocky seaside tourist attractions formed by nature

Takako Sakamoto Dec 11, 2014 - 2 min read

<p>Rocky and beautiful Echizen Beach. Can you see the whitish rock at the edge of the cliff on the right?</p>

<p>The rock surface is somehow white...why?</p>

<p>Yes, this is the famous 'Guano Rock' on Echizen Beach!</p>

<p>Clear blue water of Echizen Beach and beautiful rocks</p>

<p>Dark rocks jutting out from the blue sea</p>

<p>The pathway to 'Kocho Gate'. The tunnel at the far end is called, 'Kocho Gate Tunnel'.</p>

<p>Sign of 'Kocho Gate Park', which is included in the Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park (which stretches on the coast of Fukui and Ishikawa prefectures)</p>

<p>Magnificent view of Japan Sea seen from Kocho Gate Park</p>

<p>This natural rock formation is 'Kocho Gate' ('Kocho' literally means 'inviting birds').</p>

<p>People and cars were able to pass under the gate before, but it's off limits now due to safety considerations (the rock may fall down on your head!)</p>

<p>Kocho Gate in shadow under the blue sky</p>

<p>Rocky shore of Echizen Beach near Kocho Gate</p>

Tojinbo Cliff is not the only tourist attraction on Echizen Beach. There are other, interesting features here, including Kocho Gate and Guano Rock. Guano Rock, in Japanese 'Tori Kuso Iwa', is a 100-meter-high cliff which has been turned white due to guano. Kocho Gate, which literally means 'Inviting Birds Gate', is a natural rock eroded by winds and waves into a shape of a gate. This area is included in Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, and famous for magnificent views of the rocky shore of Echizen Beach.

Echizen Beach Series 1. Echizen Beach in Early Autumn 2. Ebisu Shrine on Echizen Beach 3. Kannon Shrine in a Seaside Cave 4. Kocho Gate & Guano Rock 5. Daffodil Shrine at Echizen Beach 6. Echizen Cape Observation Deck

Echizen Beach

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...