Kyoto’s “Laughing Beach” Kotohiki-hama: Delicate White Sand That Chirps When Touched

▲ Kotohiki-hama, known as the “laughing beach.”

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Japan

Can you imagine a beach that makes laughing sounds? Located in Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, “Kotohiki-hama,” where you can enjoy boundless ocean views, has become a popular attraction thanks to its unique singing sand. When visitors step on the sand or clap their hands on the fine grains, the singing sand emits a ticklish “chirp-chirp” sound—earning it the nicknames “the laughing beach” or “the singing beach.”

▲ Kotohiki-hama offers a completely different view of the sea in Kyoto.

▲ To hear Kotohiki-hama’s sand laugh, crouch down and gently pat the fine grains.

Locals say the reason Kotohiki-hama’s singing sand makes sounds is because the sand is pure and clean, containing about 75% quartz. When people walk across the beach with a slight rubbing motion or gently clap their hands, they can hear the sand emit childlike, ticklish laughter.

But hearing the sand laugh also requires some luck. For example, after rain, the singing sand is less likely to make sounds. Human-caused pollution, such as cigarette ash or barbecues on the beach, can damage the singing sand, making it lose its voice forever. To protect this beach that emits such innocent laughter, Kotohiki-hama has strict environmental protection regulations.

▲ Taikohama within Kotohiki-hama, where you can experience “beating a taiko drum.”

▲ The rock bed covered in white sand holds the secret to the beach’s drum-like sounds.

Kotohiki-hama’s beach stretches approximately 1.8 kilometers. In addition to listening to the chirping of the singing sand, you can also experience “beating a taiko drum” on the other side. After walking for about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the deeper part of the beach called “Taikohama.” At the boundary between the beach and the sea, you’ll see many protruding black rock slabs. This is because there is a thick layer of rock plate about 20 centimeters deep under the sand. By choosing the right spot and patting the beach, you can hear a resonant “thump-thump” sound echoing upwards, like beating a taiko drum—it’s quite fun.

▲ Taikohama also has an open-air hot spring where you can soak while enjoying the seascape of Kyoto.

If you want to hear the loud chirps of the singing sand, the management office at Kotohiki-hama also keeps some of the cleanest singing sand. Just tap it gently with a stick, and a loud, hearty laugh will immediately ring out from the bowl—surprising you and bringing a smile to your face. Come to Kyoto to see the sea and listen to the laughter of the beach.

▲ %Record? The management office preserves the cleanest singing sand, allowing visitors to experience it.