Itanki Beach
Itanki Beach was once referred to as "Hawanota (Sandy Beach with a Voice)" by the Ainu people.
An investigation in 1986 (Showa 61) confirmed that it was the first "singing sand beach" in Hokkaido to produce sound.
Singing sand is sand that makes noise due to friction between the sand grains, and it is only confirmed to be in about 30 locations nationwide.
Singing sand contains a lot of quartz, and its grains have an appropriate roundness and luster, which causes it to produce sound when it is clean.
The citizens protect the singing sand of Itanki Beach, and its beautiful scenery was selected as one of the "100 best beaches in Japan" in 1996 (Heisei 8).
