Nusuttogari

Fred Cherrygarden (Atlas Obscura User)

The southern coastline of Miura is known for its rocky beaches, often showing traces of littoral erosion. While it has plenty of tide pools and sea caves within easy reach, its most scenic, storied sight requires a bit of wild trekking.

Overlooking the uproarious waters of Bishamon Bay, Nusuttogari is a hundred-foot-tall cliff chiseled by centuries of erosion. Its unusual name, meaning “thief-hunt,” derives from the local story of a thief who turned himself in after his flight led him to the cliff, where he was daunted by the height and the waves raging on below.

Today, the site is a popular fishing location, but not quite as a tourist destination since it is somewhat off the beaten path. It is well worth the trek, however, as it offers a scenery out of the ordinary, almost even otherworldly, oftentimes likened to the landscape of the lunar surface.

Know Before You Go

When visiting, DO NOT ask Google Maps for directions as the actual path along the beach is not registered as such, causing the app to guide you to a complete dead end.

Instead, first head to the Bishamon Fishing Port, where there are a few signs indicating the directions for Nusuttogari (盗人狩). Following them, you’ll find a slope leading down to the beach. From there, it’s about a fifteen-minute walk.

Note that the “path” is merely minimally maintained, meaning that it can be craggy, slippery, covered with weeds or infested with sea roaches (there are many in Miura), and you might have to jump from rock to rock at certain points.

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