About 1 million years ago, submarine volcanic activity formed strangely shaped rock towers such as Benten'iwa and Tottokoiwa as well as a fishing reef, making the area an ideal harbor and a popular stop for the 'Kitamaebune,' cargo ships that sailed the Sea of Japan during the Edo period. In nearby Hakusan Shrine (a nationally designated cultural property), you can view 'Hagase-bune,' wooden votive picture tablets of boats (nationally designated folk culture properties), and the shrine's forest, a nationally designated natural monument. The forest is home to a mix of both warm- and cold-climate flora, making a perfect home for the beautiful Himeharuzemi Cicada. This insect is also a nationally designated natural monument. In spring this shrine holds a beautiful and ancient court dance that has been nationally designated as a folk cultural property. This festival always draws a large crowd of visitors enjoying both the dance and the shrine's cherry blossoms.
A cycling and walking path has been built on the former Hokuriku railway line, showcasing old train tunnels built from brick toward the end of the Meiji period. In 1,963, the Kodomari Landslide struck one of the steam locomotives on this old rail line, pushing it out to sea. As a result, a new line was built inside the mountains so such a disaster would not happen again.