Flowing northward in the Pacific Ocean, the Kuroshio Current (also known as the Japan Current) branches off into the Tsushima Current when it enters the Sea of Japan in the vicinity of Okinawa. Meanwhile, flowing southward alongside the Japanese Islands is the Oyashio Current (also known as the Kurile Current).
Surrounded by these currents, the Japanese coastline is very complex and diversified. From its tranquil white beaches with their green pines, through the ria coasts with their steep cliffs, to reefs lashed by raging waves. Each landscape is unique, giving you a glimpse of a completely different world depending on the time or weather, just like with the surging waves repeatedly crashing against each other. You can lose yourself for hours just staring at this scenery.
Yamanashi Katsuhiro, landscape photographer
