Nakatajima Sand Dunes
Encyclopedia
are located at the southern part of Hamamatsu
, Shizuoka Prefecture
at the Pacific Ocean
coast of Japan. The sand dune area measures approximately 0.6 km from north to south and 4.0 km from east to west. It is considered one of Japan's three largest sand dune areas along with the Tottori Sand Dunes
in Tottori Prefecture
and Kujyūkurihama in Chiba Prefecture
.
The dunes were created by sediment deposits carried from the Southern Japanese Alps
by the Tenryu River
into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hamamatsu. Sea currents and strong wind help bring the sand from the bottom up onto the shore, where the wind constantly rearranges their shape. The dunes have existed for thousands of years, but the area of the dunes has been steadily decreasing due to numerous dam
s built on the Tenryu River for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. Additionally, concrete barriers erected to protect the coast from tsunami
and typhoon tidal surges have disrupted the currents responsible for bringing the sand to shore. The shoreline has receded about 200 meters during the past 40 years.
In recent years, the Shizuoka prefectural government has attempted measures to stop the shrinkage of the dunes by banning the commercial extraction of sand, and (from 2003) by dumping sand offshore near the dunes, as well as employing the manual removal of encroaching grassy areas. The lasting ability for these efforts to protect the dunes is as of yet unknown.
The Nakatajima Sand Dunes are a popular spot for locals to view the New Year's first sun rise. From May 3 till May 5, the dunes are the location for the Hamamatsu Festival, which involves flying of traditional Japanese kite
s.
In the summer the Loggerhead turtles
land onto the beach to lay eggs, which are then collected to a secure area for incubation. When hatchlings hatch, they exit the secure area and head for the Pacific Ocean, where the offshore Kuroshio Current
is a part of the Pacific circulatory system.
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
is a city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. On July 1, 2005, the city merged with 11 surrounding cities and towns. It became a city designated by government ordinance on April 1, 2007.- History :...
, Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
at the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
coast of Japan. The sand dune area measures approximately 0.6 km from north to south and 4.0 km from east to west. It is considered one of Japan's three largest sand dune areas along with the Tottori Sand Dunes
Tottori Sand Dunes
The are unique sand dunes located near Tottori City in Tottori Prefecture, Honshū, Japan. They are the only large dune system in Japan....
in Tottori Prefecture
Tottori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region. The capital is the city of Tottori. It is the least populous prefecture in Japan.- History :Before the Meiji Restoration, Tottori encompassed the old provinces of Hōki and Inaba...
and Kujyūkurihama in Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
.
The dunes were created by sediment deposits carried from the Southern Japanese Alps
Akaishi Mountains
is a mountain range in central Honshū, Japan, bordering Nagano, Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. It is also called the , as it joins with the Hida Mountains and the Kiso Mountains to form the Japanese Alps....
by the Tenryu River
Tenryu River
The is a river arising from Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, grazing Aichi Prefecture and flowing through western Shizuoka Prefecture in central Honshū, Japan. With a length of , it is Japan's ninth longest river.-Geography:...
into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hamamatsu. Sea currents and strong wind help bring the sand from the bottom up onto the shore, where the wind constantly rearranges their shape. The dunes have existed for thousands of years, but the area of the dunes has been steadily decreasing due to numerous dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s built on the Tenryu River for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. Additionally, concrete barriers erected to protect the coast from tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
and typhoon tidal surges have disrupted the currents responsible for bringing the sand to shore. The shoreline has receded about 200 meters during the past 40 years.
In recent years, the Shizuoka prefectural government has attempted measures to stop the shrinkage of the dunes by banning the commercial extraction of sand, and (from 2003) by dumping sand offshore near the dunes, as well as employing the manual removal of encroaching grassy areas. The lasting ability for these efforts to protect the dunes is as of yet unknown.
The Nakatajima Sand Dunes are a popular spot for locals to view the New Year's first sun rise. From May 3 till May 5, the dunes are the location for the Hamamatsu Festival, which involves flying of traditional Japanese kite
Kite
A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...
s.
In the summer the Loggerhead turtles
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
land onto the beach to lay eggs, which are then collected to a secure area for incubation. When hatchlings hatch, they exit the secure area and head for the Pacific Ocean, where the offshore Kuroshio Current
Kuroshio Current
The Kuroshio is a north-flowing ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean. It is similar to the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic and is part of the North Pacific ocean gyre...
is a part of the Pacific circulatory system.