Skip to main content

This pine forest, the peninsula of Miho and the beach of Matsubara have become a World Cultural Heritage in the company of Mount Fuji in recent times. With all its pine trees (as it’s name indicates) is also the home of a very ancient and famous legend all over Japan: The Legend of Hagoromo!

Some of our articles contain affiliate links. Whenever you use these links to buy something, we earn a commission to help support our work at Voyapon. Please read our disclosure for more info.

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

If you are not one of the visitors coming in one local bus or a crowded tourist coach take the time to enter the forest past the big shinto torii gate and walk along a wooden path

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The monument marking the entrance of the “Path of the Gods”

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Take your time and take a rest if need be

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The whole path is lined with venerable pine trees

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

This park of pines and its legend was already mentioned in the “Wagasode Journal” written in 1899

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Naturally the Legend of Hagoromo is also explained on the same type of traditional Japanese announcement board but I will be able to explain in detail with pictures soon

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

An incredibly shaped pine tree

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The Legend of Hagoromo, “Hagoromo (羽衣)” means veil or garment. One day a local fisherman discovered a veil hanging on a low branch of a pine tree.

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Just as the fisherman was going away with the veil a lady deity appeared and told him it was her veil and to give it back to her.

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The fisherman asked for a dance in exchange for her treasure without which she wouldn’t be able to go back to heaven.

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Playing on her lute she performed the “Dance of the Moon”

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

But after the fisherman returned her veil she disappeared in the sky

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

You will find a Hagoromo Hotel by the entrance of the pine Forest

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Naturally the hotel has a statue commemorating the legend

SN3O0312

There are also bilingual boards at the entrance of the pine tree forest

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Every year a Traditional Noh Theater play is performed inside the forest to relate Hagoromo’s legend of the Celestial maiden and her veil.

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Very good English explanations

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The legend says that the pine tree is 650 years old

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The very pine tree and its low branch

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

More information but only in Japanese

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The Matsubara Pine Tree Forest

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The Noh play takes place there

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Don’t worry, the park has plenty of shops for food and refreshments – and facilities

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Visitors come from all over Japan

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The pine forest has it own minuscule shrine called “Haguruma”

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Many people of course visit the beach

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

The beach overlooking Suruga Bay

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

From the beach and during the colder part of the year you can enjoy an incredible view of Mount Fuji

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

But it is still too early for the bathing season

beach,fisherman,forest,Hagoromo,legend,matsu,noh,park,pine,play,Mount Fuji

Of course you may play on the beach as much as you want

[cft format=0]
Robert-Gilles Martineau

Robert-Gilles Martineau

Robert-Gilles Martineau, a 40-year French resident in Shizuoka and japan has been blogging and writing about his love for Japanese gastronomy and tourism in three languages since 1998. His motto: "There is always a new place to visit and a new food to taste out there!"

Leave a Reply