Nariishi Beach (Beach of Sound Stones)

Nariishi Beach, whose name translates roughly as 'sounding stones,' is a distinctive stretch of the Kotoura Town coastline covered not in sand but in smooth, oval cobblestones known locally as goroita. As waves roll in and recede, the stones shift and click against one another, producing a characteristic 'karakoro' sound that gives the beach its name and its reputation as one of the more unusual natural soundscapes along the San'in coast. Because the shoreline is stone rather than sand, Nariishi is not set up for swimming or sunbathing; visitors come instead for the sound itself, for photography, and for a quiet coastal walk away from the crowds at Tottori's larger sand beaches. The stones are rounded and can be slick when wet, so sturdy, closed-toe footwear is more practical than sandals for walking the shoreline. Facilities are minimal, limited to a small parking area near the access point, with no shops, restrooms, or bathing infrastructure. The beach sits along the Kotoura coastline roughly 8 km northeast of JR Kotoura Station; there is no direct bus service, so a taxi or rental car is the practical way to reach it, a roughly 15-minute drive. Visitors often pair a stop at Nariishi with other Kotoura-area sights, treating it as a short, atmospheric detour rather than a full-day destination, best experienced by sitting quietly near the shoreline and listening as the tide moves the stones.