The Secret to Capturing the Sea Fog at Amahare Beach

To capture the moment when Onna-iwa glows with Mount Tsurugi behind it

The morning mist rising over Amahare Beach is truly a natural wonder. When I first witnessed this scene, I felt a heart-stirring emotion. It undoubtedly ranks among the top three most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. That’s precisely why I wanted to share this feeling with more people, so I’ve compiled some photography tips. The actual photos are displayed in the Gallery.

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Know the conditions for a dust storm to occur

Sea fog occurs from October to February, typically on mornings when the difference between sea and air temperatures is significant. It’s like seeing steam rising from the sea. However, it doesn’t appear every time, and there are often days when it doesn’t show up no matter how many times you visit.The strength of the wind, sea temperature, humidity, and other factors all intertwine in complex ways, making it truly subject to the whims of nature. That’s precisely why the joy of encountering it is so special.

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Best Scenes for Filming

The ultimate moment to capture is when the morning sun rises over the ridgeline of Mount Tsurugi, illuminating Onna-iwa Rock as it emerges from the mist. The recommended time is when the sun appears from the ridgeline near the “O-mado to Ko-mado” area of Mount Tsurugi (around late October to early November). The mist appears more vividly when the sun is slightly offset to the left or right of Onna-iwa. However, as the sun climbs higher, it moves rapidly to the right. The appearance changes significantly depending on your shooting position.

・A whirlwind occurs

・The absence of clouds along the ridge line of Mount Tsurugi

・The alignment of the sunrise position and the female rock

・Possession of photography techniques and equipment capable of handling backlighting

Only when these elements come together does a breathtaking sight unfold before your eyes.

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Estimated shooting time

Sunrise around this time of year is around 6:30 a.m., but the surroundings are already quite bright. If you want to capture that dramatic light, you absolutely must be on location about an hour earlier, around 5:30 a.m. It’s bitterly cold, so don’t forget your warm clothes.⸻

Most tourists aim for Onna-iwa Rock from near Roadside Station Amahare. From here, Onna-iwa Rock looks incredibly impressive, but Mount Tsurugi does not appear in the background (see Figure 1, Figure 2, ①).

To frame Mount Tsurugi (note the summit is offset to the right) in the background, you must move down to the coast near JR Amahare Station (refer to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and ②). Only then, by using a telephoto lens to pull in Onna-iwa Rock, can you achieve the “Mount Tsurugi + Onna-iwa Rock” composition. A telephoto lens around 200-300mm is ideal, and a tripod is essential for a stable composition.

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Prediction of Sunrise Position

The timing of sunrise over the ridge line of Mount Tsurugi varies by season. I use a website called SunCalc. For example, around November 10th is precisely when sunrise over the ridge line of Mount Tsurugi can be seen (see Figure 3). Also, the weather is often unstable around this time, so the actual chance to capture “that moment” is limited.

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Tips for Camera Settings

In backlit scenes, exposure control is crucial. Since using the sun as a reference often leads to overexposure, adjust your exposure to the misty area marked with the ⚪︎ symbol in Figure 4. Bringing out the texture of the mist infuses the photo with a sense of life. It’s acceptable if the sun is slightly overexposed. While digital photos can be corrected in post-processing, overexposure is irreversible, so be careful.

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Summary

The sight of the “mist, Mount Tsurugi, the Female Rock, and sunrise” all coming together at Amahare Beach is truly a miracle woven by nature. While visitors from afar rely on luck, if you make several trips from autumn through winter, you are sure to encounter a scene that will stay with you forever. We encourage you to stay at a nearby inn, brave the early morning chill, and experience this miraculous moment for yourself.