The northernmost town of Hyogo Prefecture, Takeno. This area is home to the stunningly beautiful "Takenohama Beach," known as one of the best in the Kansai region, with its fine, white sand beach stretching for about 1 km. The waters of Takeno are famous for their high transparency and excellent water quality, which led them to earn the highest rank in the Ministry of the Environment's beach water quality survey. Takeno has also been selected for prestigious lists such as the "100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan" (a list of clean beaches with excellent water quality) and the "100 Best Beaches in Japan" (a list of beautiful coastlines and beaches across the country).

Takeno is located about 15 minutes by car or 10 minutes by train from Kinosaki Onsen. It is also within a 50-minute drive, or about an hour and a half by bus and train, from Yumura Onsen, a retro, compact, and tranquil hot spring town. Additionally, the historic castle town of Izushi, introduced in this article, is accessible in about 45 minutes by car or an hour and a half by train and bus, where you can enjoy the nostalgic streets lined with history.

A Recommended Experience in Takeo: Geo Canoe Tours

One of the top activities to enjoy in the waters of Takeo is the "Geo Canoe Tour," which involves exploring the sea and nearby rocks and caves by canoe. What exactly is a Geo Canoe, and what experiences can you expect? Let’s take a look!

Tickets can be purchased at JR Takeo Station between 6:30 AM and 3:30 PM. After that, the station is unmanned. When using a paper ticket, simply board the train and get a "boarding ticket" at the entrance, and then pay the fare at the station where you get off. If using an IC card, you can board directly at Takeo, and the fare will be settled with the station staff at your next stop.

Feel the Mysteries of Nature! The Charm of Geo Canoe Tours

Takeno's coastline is part of the "San'in Kaigan Geopark," a natural park designated for its rich geological heritage. The Geo Canoe Tour lets you explore this part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark by sea kayak, embarking on an adventure across the Takeo coastline. The tour runs from mid-April to October.

The main attractions of the tour include enjoying the crystal-clear waters of Takeno's sea, and getting up close to the coastline’s unique rock formations, caves, and stunning landscapes.

The Geo Canoe Tour is offered by MERI Adventure Tours, located about 10 minutes by car from Takeo Station. The beautiful Takeo coastline stretches right in front of the shop.

The Tour Flow

• Registration: Register for the tour, receive an explanation, change clothes, leave your belongings, and get a drink (30 minutes).
• Tour: The Geo Canoe Tour takes you by canoe to explore "Yodo Cave" and the surrounding area. Note: Depending on weather conditions, the course or duration may be adjusted (1 hour).
• Shower and Return: After the tour, shower, return rental items, and prepare to leave.

English-speaking guides are available for the tours. The minimum age for the tours varies, but for kid-friendly tours, children aged 3 and up can participate with a guardian. Tours are also open to families, and children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. For canoes, children are generally guided in pairs with an adult.

Rental Gear: Hats, shoes, rash guards, surf shorts, short pants, marine gloves, etc., are available for rent.

Once you're ready, take your drink, hat, towel, and head to the beach. You’ll begin with some warm-up exercises and an introduction to how to get on and off the canoe and how to paddle. The tour guide will carefully explain everything, so even beginners can feel comfortable. After learning the basics of canoeing, you’ll hit the water!

As you paddle out into the vast sea of Takeo, you’ll be greeted by the sparkling surface of the water. The clarity of the water is so high that even in deeper parts, you can see the seabed's terrain clearly.

Caves Carved by the Sea

"This cave is made of granite, and the Yodo Cave is made of tuff breccia," explains the guide. "It's rare to see such different rock types so close together. If you look closely, the granite cave is squared off, while the Yodo Cave is more rounded—this is due to the different properties of granite and tuff breccia." Listening to the guide’s explanation while observing the geological features up close is one of the unique charms of the Geo Canoe Tour.

After visiting the cave, you’ll head from the bay toward the entrance of "Yodo Cave," which faces the open sea. As you exit the bay, the waves start to pick up.

Yodo Cave is a sea cave measuring 18 meters high and 40 meters deep. It was formed by waves eroding cracks in tuff breccia, which was created by volcanic activity. Seeing the size and power of the cave up close is awe-inspiring, and you’ll also feel the raw power and mystery of nature.

If the waves are calm, you may even enter the cave. Follow the guide’s instructions to assess the conditions for the day.

After exploring the cave, you can paddle a little further to get a different perspective of Yodo Cave from a distance. From afar, it appears even more majestic and beautiful.

From the same vantage point, you can also see Nekozaki Peninsula, which is said to resemble a "Q-tip" doll when viewed from the side, giving it the nickname "Q-tip Peninsula."

Once you head into the open sea, the waves get higher, but you’ll soon get accustomed to them.

After enjoying the geological formations around Yodo Cave, you’ll slowly make your way back into the bay, taking in the beauty of Takeo's sea.

During the tour, you’ll definitely want to capture these breathtaking views and moments with your family. Bringing a camera or smartphone is allowed, but because the chances of getting wet are high, it’s recommended to bring a waterproof case for your smartphone instead of using a regular camera!

Create Special Memories in Takeo’s Sea

Experience the rich nature of Japan with a canoe tour in Takeo's sea. As you paddle through the clear waters, you’ll feel the rhythm of the waves and the scent of the sea, making it feel like you're truly one with nature.

In addition to the Geo Canoe Tour, MERI Adventure Tours also offers a variety of other activities, such as the "G-SUP Tour" held from May to September, the "Little Kids Floating Canoe Tour" for children ages 3 and up with their guardians, and a BBQ experience at their partner inn, "Umi no Oto," where you can enjoy a hands-free BBQ. Check them out and make a reservation via their English site.

Takeo is also conveniently located near other popular hot springs such as Kinosaki Onsen and Yumura Onsen. Why not stop by to relax in a hot spring and refresh yourself in nature?

MERI Adventure Tours
Address: 1048 Kirihama, Takeo-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, 669-6216 (Google Map)
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Irregular
Website: MERI Adventure Tours