Chita Peninsula sunset drive: an afternoon out to watch the sun go down over Ise Bay

The west side of the Chita Peninsula looks out over Ise Bay, and in the evening the sun goes down over the water. A Chita Peninsula sunset drive works best when the sunset itself is the destination. No early start, no packed itinerary. Just a slow morning, an afternoon on the road and an evening by the sea.

Traffic and weather change from day to day, so this guide focuses on two things: where to watch, and how to time it.

Why a Chita Peninsula sunset drive suits an afternoon start

As the day ends, the light drops towards the bay and the sea and sky shift colour slowly. It is a quiet kind of spectacle.

You don’t need to plan the whole day around it. Decide that sunset is the finish line, then work backwards. Leave after lunch, stop somewhere along the way, and arrive by the water with time to spare. It is a simple shape for a day, and it tends to stay with you.

Where to watch the sunset on the Chita Peninsula

Nomazaki Lighthouse (Noma Lighthouse), Mihama

Noma Lighthouse is officially called Nomazaki Lighthouse. It was built in 1921, stands 18 metres tall and is said to be the oldest lighthouse in Aichi.

There are benches nearby where you can sit and watch the sun sink into Ise Bay behind the white tower. It is free to visit and open every day. By car, Aichi’s official guide gives 20 minutes from Mihama IC on the Minami-Chita Road, and notes paid parking nearby. (Aichi Now: Noma Lighthouse)

Rinku Beach, Tokoname

Rinku Beach is a man-made beach facing Centrair, Chubu Centrair International Airport, across the water. It runs for about 630 metres. Breakwaters keep the sea calm, and the sand is white.

What makes it special is the combination: planes taking off and landing just across the water, the sea, and the setting sun, all in one view. The beach café, SEA AND SKY TERRACE, lets you eat while watching the sand and the sunset.

Parking is paid, and the beach is right by Rinku IC on the Chita Odan Road (Centrair Line). Beach hours can change on event days, so check the Tokoname tourism page for Rinku Beach before you go.

Ono Beach and Takasagoyama Park, Tokoname

Ono Beach is said to be the world’s oldest sea-bathing beach, and it is the closest of Tokoname’s beaches if you are coming from the Nagoya side. It is known for sunsets, with the sun going down behind the Suzuka Mountains.

Takasagoyama Park sits at 87 metres, the highest point in Tokoname. Its observation deck looks out over Ise Bay and the airport. For a harbour-town evening, Tokoname Fishing Port (Kamaike) is worth a stop too. (Tokoname Sunset Navi)

How to time your departure

There is no single right time to leave. It depends on the season, where you are heading and how many stops you make. Here is a simple way to work it out.

Check the sunset time and sunset index on the day

Tokoname Sunset Navi publishes a daily sunset index for Tokoname, along with that day’s sunset time. There is a week-long forecast too, which helps when choosing a day.

The index works roughly like this:

• 100–80: a clear sunset looks likely
• 70–50: you should mostly see the sunset
• 40–30: you may catch it through gaps in the cloud
• 20–0: a sunset looks unlikely

Work back from sunset and arrive early

Once you know the sunset time, add the drive and any stops, and set off with room to spare. Don’t aim to arrive at the exact moment of sunset. The time just before and after sunset, when the colours keep changing, is half the reason to go.

Sunset times move with the seasons, so leaving at the same time as last visit won’t give you the same sky. Check the time each day you go.

An afternoon route with a few stops

Aichi’s official tourism guide suggests a model course for couples called the Koisuru Chita Hanto Drive. It runs from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Koi-no-Mizu Shrine (about 25 minutes by car), then to Noma Lighthouse (about 15 minutes), then on to Cape Hazu (about 20 minutes). (Aichi Now model course)

Koi-no-Mizu Shrine is open all day, but its office and shop are open 10:00–16:00, so visit earlier if you want to use them.

For an afternoon outing, consider reshuffling the order so that Nomazaki Lighthouse comes last. Whether you also head to Cape Hazu depends on the sunset time. Leave yourself time to sit by the lighthouse and wait for the light to change.

How the roads connect

The Chita Peninsula Road runs 20.9 km from Odaka-machi in Nagoya’s Midori Ward to Hikosu-cho in Handa. The Minami-Chita Road continues 19.6 km from Hikosu-cho to Morozaki in Minamichita.

The two roads meet at Handa IC, and the Chita Odan Road joins at Handa Chuo JCT on the Chita Peninsula Road. In short: the Chita Odan Road for Rinku Beach, the Minami-Chita Road for Nomazaki Lighthouse.

One detail: Obu-Nishi IC on the Chita Peninsula Road is a half interchange. You can’t join towards Odaka IC there, and you can’t exit there when coming from the Odaka IC direction. (Chita Peninsula Road, Minami-Chita Road)

A car for the road to the sunset

The car changes the mood of a coastal evening.

The Mazda Roadster is light on its feet. It keeps you close to the scenery, so the coast road becomes part of the pleasure rather than just the way there.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS has a long, flowing coupé silhouette. Its calm cabin suits the slower pace of an evening drive towards the light.

You can see the cars we feature on the line-up.

About TŌNORI

TŌNORI (遠乗り) is a car rental service planned to open in Nagoya in 2027, offering Japanese and imported cars.

Members receive 10% off their first rental, with eligibility details to be announced at launch. Members can also vote on which cars join the line-up in the future. Our drive and trip plans are in preparation, and our guide to Tokai seasonal drives has more ideas through the year.

FAQ

Where are the best places to watch the sunset on the Chita Peninsula?

• Nomazaki Lighthouse: the white lighthouse with the sun setting over Ise Bay.
• Rinku Beach: planes, sea and sunset together.
• Ono Beach: the sun going down behind the Suzuka Mountains.
• Takasagoyama Park: views over Ise Bay and the airport from the observation deck.

What time should I leave to catch the sunset?

There is no fixed time, because sunset moves with the seasons. Check the day’s sunset time on Tokoname Sunset Navi, add your driving time and any stops, and leave with time to spare.

TŌNORI is preparing to open in Nagoya.