Tahara, Aichi Prefecture / Cape Irago Lighthouse and the coastal walking path
Cape Irago A bite of clam with the sound of the sea
As I lifted a clam from its shell with my chopsticks, I found myself admiring its size before I even took a bite. A lunch break beside the white lighthouse, with the sound of the sea in my ears. I had one more thing to enjoy after walking all the way out to the cape.
Take a look at a summer lunch by the sea: a walk to the white lighthouse and a taste of Irago's local specialty.
SummerAround 12 p.m. on a sunny day in July
A Bite of Grilled Clam Beside the Lighthouse
I walked along the coastal path toward the lighthouse. When the white tower came into view, I stopped with the tray of grilled large clams I'd brought with me. As I lifted a clam with my chopsticks, I couldn't help admiring its size before taking a bite. I'd been looking forward to enjoying Irago's local specialty by the sea.
The clam had a springy bite, and even after I swallowed, I wanted another. Near Koijigahama, you can also find places that serve large clams grilled over an open flame. Next time, I want to make time for a long meal at a restaurant and really savor this local specialty.
When I paused with my chopsticks, the sound of the sea caught my attention again. The waves broke white beyond the line of stones, and beyond them stretched a wide expanse of water. My attention was on the food as I ate, but one look up was all it took to take in this view. With every bite, I savored both the clam and the sea.
Up close, the curve of the lighthouse's white walls really stood out. I glanced up at the upper gallery, then brought my eyes back to the path underfoot. Cape Irago Lighthouse was installed in 1929 and has watched over the ships passing through these waters ever since. Today, I got to walk up close and see the white tower for myself.
A breeze off the sea pushed my hair toward my cheek. I adjusted the tray and took another bite. Mountain views tend to hold my attention on other days, but here at the cape, I kept noticing the waves close by. I came for the lighthouse, but stopping to eat let me stay here longer, and I was glad I did.
Even after I finished eating, I didn't head back right away. I walked a little longer beside the lighthouse. If you're visiting Cape Irago in summer, take in the white lighthouse and sea, and make time for a bite of grilled large clams too. I didn't want my day at the tip of the peninsula to end with just a look around. I have a feeling I'll be thinking about that bite all the way back.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
A Photo from the Trip1 images
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Tahara, Aichi Prefecture / Cape Irago Lighthouse and the coastal walking path · Summer
Something to Try on This Trip
Grilled Large Clams
Grilled large clams are a local specialty in Irago. Near Koijigahama, you can find places serving them grilled over an open flame. I brought some along and took a break by the sea.
What to See Here
A Walking Path Beside the Lighthouse
A chance to see the lighthouse's rounded walls and upper gallery on foot. I found myself wanting to look out to the sea right beside it.
Irago's Grilled Large Clams
A local specialty you can try near Koijigahama. That bite made my summer visit to the cape even more enjoyable.
Drive to the Cape, Walk to the Lighthouse
Drive from Toyokawa IC to Cape Irago, then park at Koijigahama
- From Toyokawa IC by Car
- About 90 minutes
- Walk from the Car Park to the Lighthouse
- 10 minutes
From Toyokawa IC on the Tomei Expressway, head to Cape Irago. Park at Koijigahama, then follow the coastal path to the lighthouse.
The times here cover the drive to the cape and the walk from the Koijigahama car park to the lighthouse. I'd like to leave time for a stroll by the sea at the end of the drive, too.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
