Things to Do

Things to Do

Moroyose Course
諸寄（もろよせ）コース

Moroyose has been a prosperous port of call for cargo ships since ancient times with a great number of cultural people coming through. Currently it is a lively fishing town specializing in matsuba crab (snow crab) and firefly squid. The old houses surrounding the fishing port create a nostalgic atmosphere, and in the coastal area you can enjoy nature's divine structures such as magma dikes and sea caves. From the slightly elevated Shiroyama Park you can see a magnificent panoramic view. While here try one of the area's specialty goodies, grilled chikuwa (tube-shaped fish-paste cake).
Route map
Route directions and land marks
 
1) Muzen Shinohara monument
Opposite the old station building at JR Moroyose Station, there is a signboard for San'in Kaigan Geopark walk model course "Hamasaka and Moroyose courses". First, check the course with this signboard before setting off. Moroyose is well known for being a flourishing fishing village with a port where boats would wait out storms, it has also produced many great men of culture (the poet Sumitaka Maeda, social educator Muzen Shinohara, artist Hisaharu Tanikado), and their stone monuments are a point of interest.
As soon as you begin your walk you will see a monument on the left to Muzen Shinohara, who was called the saint of Hida.
2) Monument for Shinohara's birthplace
Go straight through JR's small iron bridge, turn left at the second small intersection and you will see a simple post office on the left. Before that there is a monument for Shinohara's birthplace.
3) Iyonaga shrine office
If you continue to the left you will find the shrine office of Iyonaga shrine, the shrine has votive pictures of ships dedicated to the port.
4) Moroyose Public Center
Exit the office and turn right, at the end of the road turn right and continue to the far side of the grounds where the Moroyose Public Center (前田純孝資料室 - Sumitaka Maeda information room) is located. There are monuments engraved with a poem to Sumitaka Maeda and Tekkan Yosano who were called "Takuboku of the East, Sumitaka of the West" by Akiko Yosano.
5) Ootochi River
Leave the information room and turn right, climb up the narrow road, turn left at the end and go straight to the Ootochi River.
6) Iyonaga Shrine
Turn right before the bridge and cross the large road (National Highway No. 178) and turn right before the tunnel, you will arrive at Moroyose fishing Port. Near by you will see rows of houses from when the port was one of the more prosperous ones on the Sea of Japan. Climb the stone stairs on your left. On the hill that overlooks the town, there is the "Iyonaga Shrine" dedicated to the gods of the sea. On the shrine grounds there is a fence engraved with the former country name and the names of donors.
7) Hiyoriyama view point
Go down the stone stairs and along the harbor, you will arrive at the western end of the harbor where boats are lined up. There is a lighthouse above the small mountain (also called Hiyoriyama, meaning small mountain in Japanese), and below there are many rocks spread out with many holes left from the stakes used for the mooring of ancient fishing boats. If you have time, try searching for some of these holes.
8) Yuki no Shirahama
Make a U-turn and head for Shiodani Beach on the other side. Following the National Highway No. 178 eastwards, following the fishing port where a large-scale trawling fishing boat is moored, a sandy beach called Shirahama can be seen. Just before the sandy beach, on the east bank of the port there are the fishing port public restrooms. There are no restrooms until this course's end point so it is best to use these before going on. Also, there are specialty shops selling grilled chikuwa, give them a try if you are hungry and want a snack. (The short course will continue to the end point, Moroyose Station, from here.) Another fun thing to do here is walking on the sandy beach and look for seashells that have washed up on shore. There is also a monument with an engraved poem for Sumitaka Maeda in a small park at the intersection with the traffic light.
9) Shiodani Beach
Turn right at the traffic light and continue to the left along the road, there will be a path going under the national highway. If you follow the meandering path along the coast where waves hit the coast you will find Shiodani Beach.
10) Sea cave in Shiodani
If you continue down the promenade in front of the B&G Ocean Center, you will come upon a small cave or sea cave on your right. The cave was gouged out by the power of the waves, past the entrance is a larger space inside the cave where several full sized adults can fit. When venturing in it is best to use bring a light and be careful of falling rocks.
11) Shiroyama Gardens
Once you return to the traffic light at the National Highway No.178, head further up the slope to the entrance of Shiroyama Park. If you continue on the paved road you will come to see the Shiroyama Park observation deck that offers a magnificent view of Moroyose and Umikongo to the west. There is also a gazebo and bench here, a great place to take photos.
12) Intersection
Go back the way you came, turn left before the chikuwa factory, and continue straight. You should arrive at the station and this course's end point.
Route
JR Moroyose Station > Moroyose Public center > Hiyoriyama (Sumitaka Maeda Tanka inscription > Sea Cave in Shiodani > Shiroyama Park) > JR Moroyose Station
Difficulty
★☆☆
Route Category
In town and seaside
Type of Activity
★☆☆　Flat course（Elevation gain less than 100m）or less than 5km.
★★☆　Slightly undulating course（Elevation gain less than 500m）or less than 10ｋｍ.
★★★　Rugged course（Elevation gain more than 500m）or 11ｋｍ.
Distance About 6km (the short course is about 3km)
Required Time Walking time of about 2 hours, 1 hour for the short course (times do not include time needed to view the facilities,)
Starting Point JR Moroyose Station
Getting Here By Train: Get off at JR Moroyose Station
By Car: From JR Moroyose Station parking lot
Road Conditions Asphalt
Resting Place Restroom: JR Moroyose Station, Moroyose fishing port public restrooms, Moroyose Public center (during regular business hours).
Rest Areas: Shiroyama Park gazebo, Morijin shop (grilled chikuwa), Uraki shop (grocers)
Signpost Presence None
Guide Availability Available
Send guide request to: Shinonsen Town Office Commerce and Industry Tourism Division
Phone: 0796-82-5625
Fee/charge : From JPY3,000 (depends on times and number of people)
Notes A flashlight is required to enter Shioya sea cave and can be dangerous due to waves and currents.
Contact Contact: Shinonsen Town Office Commerce and Industry Tourism Division
Phone: 0796-82-5625
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