Kehi no Matsubara, Tsuruga

Kehi no Matsubara is one of Japan's Three Great Pine Groves, alongside Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka and Niji no Matsubara in Saga. Located in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, this coastal pine grove has been celebrated for over a millennium for its spectacular natural beauty.

The park's origins can be traced back to ancient times, with poems about Kehi no Matsubara appearing in the Man'yoshu and the Nihon Shoki. Legend has it that the pine grove appeared overnight at the time of the Mongol invasion. During the 8th century, the area served as the site of the Matsubara Guesthouse, where Japan's central government received delegations from the Balhae kingdom across the Sea of Japan.

This nationally-designated Site of Scenic Beauty spans roughly 1.5 kilometers in length and covers approximately 400,000 square meters. The park features about 17,000 pine trees, including both red akamatsu and black kuromatsu varieties. The grove creates a magnificent contrast between the white sand of the beach and the deep green of the pines.

Visitors can stroll along maintained walking paths that wind through the pine forest, offering scenic views of Tsuruga Bay and photo opportunities with the sea as a backdrop. The area transforms into a popular swimming destination during summer months, with a fireworks show held each August. The park attracts many visitors from the Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas, particularly during the summer swimming season.

The pine grove is accessible by car, located approximately 13 minutes from Tsuruga IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. From JR Tsuruga Station, visitors can take the Matsubara-sen Community Bus to Kehi no Matsubara Bus Stop (12-18 minutes) or the Tsuruga Excursion Line Bus to Matsubara Coast Bus Stop. Tsuruga Station is easily reached by express rail services from major cities, with connections to Osaka and Kyoto in about an hour, and access from Tokyo via Hikari Shinkansen to Maibara then JR Shirasagi limited express. The park offers free admission and includes facilities such as restrooms and parking areas.