Nearly 20 million years ago, deep sea volcanic activity created a precipice of green volcanic tuff around the current village of Sai in the Shimokita peninsula. Over many years, the rough waves of Tsugaru Channel eroded the precipice turning it into a fantastically shaped rock formation that goes on for 2 km (1.2 miles) along the coast.
The rocks have been named after Buddha, thus the name Hotokegaura (Buddha’s Cove).
In 1934, a stretch along the coast of Hotokegaura was designated as an Aomori Natural Monument, and additionally as a national place of scenic beauty and a National Natural Monument in 1941.
A Jizodo (a hall dedicated to Jizo Bosatsu) is built on the Hotokegaura beach, where the Hotokegaura Festival is held for worship on July 24th every year.

Tsugaru Channel Cultural Center “Arusasu”

Arusasu is a tourist, cultural and industrial spot in Sai village. The regular ships and tourist boats to Hotoge-ga-ura depart from here, from Arusasu.