Engetsuto

Where and when to see it

Engetsuto sits just off Rinkai, the northern part of Shirahama's resort area, facing the Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium across the water and a short walk from the north end of Shirarahama Beach. The viewing area is right on the coast road beside the Shirahama Rinkai car park (paid), with steps leading down to the rocks at the water's edge.

The alignment only works around the equinoxes, when the sun sets close to due west. For about five days either side of 20 March and 23 September the sun, seen from the rocks below the car park, drops into the hole; outside those windows it simply sets to one side of the island. That gives you roughly 20 chances a year, and clouds on the horizon take some of those away. The Shirahama town office gives about 18:30 in summer and 16:30 in winter as the time the sunset is at its best, and for the September 2026 equinox sunset was at about 17:55.

Even without the alignment, the silhouette of Engetsuto at dusk is the reason most people stop here. The sunset is listed among Japan's "100 Best Sunsets" and Wakayama Prefecture's own 100 sunset spots, and on a clear evening in any season the island turns black against an orange sky.

Engetsuto is also more fragile than it looks. It is made of sedimentary rock, and surveys in 2010 found that the bridge of rock above the hole could collapse in a strong earthquake. Shirahama Town reinforced the arch in a roughly six-month project completed in October 2014, and since 2009 the town has asked people not to approach the island.

Takashima is still the island's official name. The nickname Engetsuto, from the round, moon-like shape of the hole, spread through Meiji-era poetry and tourist guidebooks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it is now the only name most people use.

Zairon · CC BY 4.0

Before you go

The classic sunset-in-the-hole photo is taken from the rocks below the Engetsuto viewing car park. The rocks are wet and slippery, so wear shoes with grip and watch the waves, especially with a tripod. During the equinox windows photographers arrive well before sunset to claim a spot.

Engetsuto is a 15-to-30-minute stop, not a half-day destination. Most visitors combine it with a walk along Shirarahama Beach or an evening soak at one of Shirahama's onsen hotels.

Across the water, the Kyoto University Shirahama Aquarium is a good daytime pairing: a small research aquarium focused on local marine life, open 9:00–17:00 daily (last entry 16:30), ¥600 for adults, cash only.

Plan the evening in order. Shirahama's seaside Sakinoyu bath closes at 18:00 in September and 17:00 from October to March, before or around sunset, so bathe first and walk or ride to Engetsuto afterwards. Evening buses back from the Rinkai stop are not frequent, so check the last departure or plan to walk back to the hotels along Shirarahama.

Engetsuto was designated a National Scenic Spot in 2010, and Senjojiki and Sandanbeki, further south in Shirahama, were later added to the same designation. All three are free to look at, though the Sandanbeki sea cave charges admission.

Guldeen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting there

From JR Shirahama Station, take a Meiko Bus to the Rinkai (Engetsuto) stop, about 16 minutes, then walk about 5 minutes to the viewpoint. A taxi from the station takes about 15 minutes.

By car, Engetsuto is about 15 minutes from Nanki-Shirahama IC on the Kisei Expressway. Park at the paid Shirahama Rinkai car park beside the viewpoint.

If you are staying in Shirahama, it is walkable from the northern end of Shirarahama Beach and the hotels around it.