Sea Cliffs and Caves on the West Coast of Amakusa
The Myokenura (妙見浦) is a coast of cliffs, islets and sea caves on the western shore of Amakusa, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, designated in 1935 as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists it under natural monument criteria for coasts and islands, crustal movement such as faults, rock texture, and weathering and erosion.
The designation text calls it the representative scenery of the west coast of Amakusa.
Landforms and Geology
According to the designation text, apart from graphite schist near Jusanbutsu in the south, the coast is made of Eocene sandstone and conglomerate. Cliffs 20 to 80 metres high run along the shore, islets cluster near Myokenzaki and Horai Island, old pines crown the islets and cliffs, and a raised sea floor forms a low terrace about 3 metres high below the cliffs.
At Myokenzaki are the Myoken sea arch and Myoken cave. The arch is 20 metres high, 8.5 to 20 metres wide and 50 metres long, large enough for small boats, eroded by waves along two crossing faults. The cave is formed of three narrow wave-cut caves along three crossing faults that join inside into one, a strange form.
What to Look For
The designation text regards both as rare in showing clearly how faults and wave erosion interact. Though formed in thick sandstone, the cave has stalactites large and small hanging inside, a remarkable sight.
The dark graphite schist stands out especially vividly.
Visiting the Myokenura
Myokenura is a coastal beauty spot that can be viewed from nearby lookouts. No official visitor information could be found.
As a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, rocks and plants must not be damaged or taken.
Q&A
- When was Myokenura designated?
- On 27 August 1935, as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument.
- What is it made of?
- Mainly Eocene sandstone and conglomerate, with graphite schist in the south.
- What is the Myoken sea arch?
- A wave-cut arch 20 m high and 50 m long along two crossing faults.
- What is special about the Myoken cave?
- Three wave-cut caves join inside into one, with stalactites.
- How high are the cliffs?
- 20 to 80 metres.
Basic Information
| Name | Myokenura (妙見浦) |
|---|---|
| Location | Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument |
| Year Designated | Designated 1935/8/27 (Showa 10) |
| Quantity | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Dimensions | Cliffs 20 to 80 metres high (at designation) |
| Owner | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Public Access | Viewable from the surroundings |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Myokenura (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/2817
- Cultural Heritage Online: Myokenura (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/139674
Last verified: 2026.09.28