tourist info bibione

• 1.2 By plane
• 1.3 By train
• 1.5 By boat
• 1.6 By bicycle
• 2.2 By bicycle
• 8.2 Mid-range
• 9 Stay safe
• 10 Stay healthy

Bibione is a seaside town in Veneto , Italy . It's the fourth seaside town in Italy by number of tourists.

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

From Venice : Take the A4 / E55 east from Venezia and exit at Portogruaro. Take the SS14 and follow the signs to Bibione via SR74 for around 25km.

From Trieste / Udine : Take the A4 / E70 west from Trieste and exit at Latisana. Take the SR 354 and follow the signs to Bibione via SP74 for around 20km or so.

Local roads are relatively well maintained and signposted.

By plane [ edit ]

The nearest airports with regular international connections are the Venice Marco Polo Airport ( VCE  IATA ) [1] , the Treviso Antonio Canova Airport, and the Ronchi dei Legionari-Trieste airport, all around 100 km from Bibione . It's preferrable to pick up your car at the airport, as, although local transport is available, it's not frequent and direct.

By train [ edit ]

The nearest train station, called Latisana-Lignano-Bibione is located in Latisana, around 20 km from Bibione. It's located along Venice-Trieste railway line. Regional trains from Venice and Trieste and long distance trains (Frecciarossa, InterCity, and Italo) from Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples stop there.

There are regular bus connections between Latisana railway station and Bibione. Taxis are also available, although expensive.

By bus [ edit ]

There are regular bus connections with other towns in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. They are managed by ATVO:

• Venice - Mestre - Marco Polo airport - San Donà di Piave - Portogruaro - Latisana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
• Portogruaro - Villanova - Vado - Giussago - Lugugnana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
• Sacile - Fontanafredda - Pordenone - Corva - Azzano Decimo - Villotta - Cinto Caomaggiore - La Sega - Portogruaro - Bibione
• Udine - Pozzuolo del Friuli - Mortegliano - Castions di Strada . Muzzana del Turgnano - Palazzolo dello Stella - Latisana - San Michele al Tagliamento - San Filippo - Cesarolo - Marinella - Bevazzana - Bibione
• Pordenone - Bibione direct bus

All intercity buses depart from the bus station located in Via Maja.

By boat [ edit ]

From May to September (every day) and during weekends of April and October there are regular ferry connections with Lignano Sabbiadoro ("X River" service, across Tagliamento river mouth) and Caorle and Vallevecchia ("X Lagoon" service, across Caorle lagoon). It's allowed to take your bicycle on those ferries.

Private boats can dock at Marina Porto Baseleghe, in the western part of the town.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cyclo-tourists can easily reach Bibione via one of the following cycleways:

• "GiraLagune": it runs along Venetian coast from Punta Sabbioni to Bibione
• "GiraTagliamento": it runs along the west bank of Tagliamento river from San Michele al Tagliamento to Bibione
• FVG 6: it runs along the east bank of Tagliamento river from Latisana to Lignano; from there you can go to Bibione via the bridge or the X River ferry
• FVG 2: it runs along Stella river and Marano lagoon from Precenicco to Lignano

Get around [ edit ]

Being a modern town, it's fairly easy to get around by car. However, during high season, expecially on weekends, parking spaces are scarcer. Many parking spaces require payment between late April and late September.

It's very easy and pleasant to get around by bicycle, as there are many cycleways around, including a 10-km scenic cycleway along the entire lenght of Bibione beach from the lighthouse at Tagliamento river mouth to Bibione Pineda.

There are many business that rent bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and ricksaws.

During summer there are 2 regular urban bus routes connecting different parts of Bibione. They are managed by ATVO:

• Line 1 : Bibione bus station (Via Maja) - Piazza Fontana - Terme - Via delle Colonie - Lido del Sole - Via Baseleghe - Bibione Pineda Viale dei Ginepri - Marina - Porto Baseleghe
• Line 2 : Bibione bus station (Via Maja) - Piazzale Keplero - Via Venere - Via Rigel - Via Procione-Lino delle Fate - Via Procione-Faro - Corso Europa-Piazza Orione - Corso Europa-Piazza Copernico - Corso Europa-Piazza Fontana - Corso Europa-Piazza Treviso - Terme - Piazzale Po - Via Orsa Maggiore (amusement park) - Bibione bus station (Via Maja)

See [ edit ]

Punta Tagliamento lighthouse : active lighthouse near Tagliamento river mouth. Built in 1913, it now hosts a little museum about the history of the lighthouse itself. It's open to public everyday between May and September, during April and October weekends and some days around Christmas. It can only be accessed by foot or bicycle (2 km from the eastern part of Bibione).

Do [ edit ]

Being a beachside town, Bibione's main attractions are its beach and its sea. Most hotels are along the waterfront and the entire beach is sectioned off with each hotel having hundreds of umbrella/chair/deckchair units neatly arranged along the beach. Other umbrella/chair/deckchair units are available to rent to anyone, even without a hotel reservation. There are also free spaces where you can put your own umbrella and chairs.

The very wide sand beach and shallow water are very suitable for families with children.

On the beach there are many playgrounds for children, volleyball pitches, animation events, pedal boats rentals and windsurf schools.

Along the main pedestrian street of the town (Viale Aurora and Viale delle Costellazioni) you will find many restaurants, bars, and shops, that during summer are open until late at night. That street is very lively in summer evenings, and is packed with Italian and foreign (mainly Austrians and Germans) tourists on their holidays. Street concerts and shows are often held there during summer evenings.

If you're looking for a spa, go to Bibione Thermae. It offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, and other wellness treatments. It's open year-round except in November.

Despite the urbanization, Bibione has still several natural areas that offer opportunities to walk and cycle also outisde summer season: the area near Tagliamento mouth, the botanical garden near Bibione Thermae spa, Baseleghe forest in Lido del Sole and the Mediterranean garden in Bibione Pineda near Capalonga camping.

Bibione every year hosts several big sport events, especially in spring and fall, when the beach and the town aren't packed with tourists and the weather is nor too hot and neither too cold for outdoor activities.

Kids can have a good time in the "Luna Park Adriatico" amusement park, open every evening between June and September.

Buy [ edit ]

Most tourist-oriented shops are along the main pedestrian street of the centre (Viale delle Costellazioni and Viale Aurora) and along Viale dei Ginepri in Bibione Pineda district. Large supermarkets are located outside the town.

Eat [ edit ]

• Pizzeria da Paolo , Via Lemene, 51 , ☏ +39 0431 43 08 47 . Popular pizzeria with average prices. Sometimes all the tables are occupied in the evening and you may have to wait a few minutes before you get a seat.  

Drink [ edit ]

There are bars all over the town, but most of them are along the main pedestrian street of the centre (Viale delle Costellazioni and Viale Aurora), that is the hearth of Bibione nighlife.

Sleep [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ], mid-range [ edit ].

• Hotel Garni Renania , ☏ +39 0431 43391 , fax : +39 0431 439321 . Via Acquario 41, 30020 Bibione (San Michele Al Tagliamento), Venezia. Hotel Garni Renania offers a good compromise between price and quality of accommodation, also in high season period. Reference prices: BB: €33-43 per person for night.  
• Princess ApartHotel , Via Del Sagittario 28, 30020 Bibione, Venezia. Ph. +39 3431 438905 Fax. +39 0431 438907. Four star hotel in Bibione, near the Adriatic sea.
• Zecchinel Hotels Group .  

Hotel Montecarlo, Via Veneto, 27 - 30020 Bibione lido del Sole, VE Ph. +39 0431 43541 Hotel Victoria, Via Venere, 14 30020 Bibione, Ph. +39 0431 43497

• 45.6355 13.0448 1 Costa Rica Bibione Aparthotel ( Costa Rica Aparthotel ), Via Dei Gemelli, 59 - 30028 Bibione (VE) , ☏ +39 0431 439344 , [email protected] . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 11:30 . Environmentally friendly and energy-efficient aparthotel with bright and modern suites ( updated Mar 2017 )

Stay safe [ edit ]

Being a family-oriented seaside town, Bibione it's very safe regarding crime. Just follow common sense precautions you would follow anywhere.

The sea is very safe for bathing, even for children, elderly, or people who can't swim, as you need to go very far away from the beach to find deep water. Just don't swim at both extremities of the beach (where Tagliamento river on the east and Lovi canal on the west flow into the sea), as there may be strong currents, and it's forbidden anyway.

Don't walk over rocky or wooden breakwaters, as they may become very slippery due to water and algae.

Carabinieri police station: Via Maja 20 - tel. + 39 0431 438888

Local police station: Via Maja 84 (same building of the tourist office) - tel. + 39 0431 444800

Stay healthy [ edit ]

During summer season an emergency room is active in Via Maja 22 (tel. + 0431 439803). Closest hospitals are in Latisana and Portogruaro. There are several pharmacies open during summer.

Sea water is very clean and safe for swimming. Bibione has been awarded of several "Blue Flags" for environmental quality. The sea may not look like very transparent because of fine sand in the bottom and algae brought by currents, but it doesn't mean that it's dirty.

Don't touch jellyfish: even if those living in the Adriatic sea aren't dangerous to your life, they may still hurt your skin.

Tap water is of a good quality and very safe to drink.

Respect [ edit ]

Along the entire beach of Bibione it's forbidden to smoke, except in designated and signposted areas scattered along the beach and equipped with ashtrays.

If hiking or cycling in natural areas, don't wander outside existing trails, in order to not disturb local flora and fauna. In particular, the vegetation that grows on sandy areas along the beach is very fragile and should never be walked over.

Pets aren't allowed on the beach during summer season, except that in the designated area in Lido dei Pini ("Spiaggia di Pluto" resort and the free area east of it).

Sort your waste correctly, you'll find different colored bins on the beach.

Don't shower with soap or shampoo on the beach, as there is no sewage and chemicals will pollute the sand.

Don't buy anything from illegal sellers on the beach or on the streets, as you will finance the illegal economy and damage the legal one.

Walking bare-chested is acceptable on the beach and in bars inside the beach, but not on the streets.

Cope [ edit ]

Tourist information office : Via Maja 84 - tel. +39 0431 444846 - [email protected]

Taxi : https://www.taxiservicebibione.com/ and https://www.taxibibione.com/

Bibione tourism website : https://www.bibione.com/it/

Go next [ edit ]

• Portogruaro
• Concordia Sagittaria
• Lignano Sabbiadoro
• Marano Lagunare
• Cividale del Friuli

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Top Things to Do in Bibione, Italy - Bibione Must-See Attractions

Things to do in bibione, tours near bibione.

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Essential Bibione

Bibione Is Great For

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• Villaggio Turistico Internazionale
• Savoy Beach Hotel & Thermal Spa
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Bibione travel guide with information on hotels and restaurants!

Short History of Bibione

One might state that the identity of nowadays Bibione has started to delineate only as from the 1960s, and they would be right. Historically speaking, Bibione did not stand out in sharp relief by great political or economical significance, given that it was one of those places which underwent the history made by others. The historic trajectory of Bibione was dictated, alternately, by the greater powers of Rome, Venice, France, Austria and, finally, Italy, Bibione standing out all this time as a mere fishing village of no particular interest. Yet, in less than half a century, Bibione has become what it represents at present, namely, a top holiday destination the popularity of which seems to constantly increase.

Accommodation in Bibione

The one 5-star luxury hotel in Bibione (the Savoy Beach Hotel ) is the most inspired choice one can make if in search of maximum splurging and comfort opportunities. Yet, Bibione is far from being an exclusive destination. The five camping sites it hosts substantiate the fact that this resort knows how to welcome all its tourists, regardless of their financial limitations. Other accommodation solutions are yielded by the apartments or residences for rent which always comply better with the objectives of those who have a penchant for untroubled privacy and who, at the same time, are willing to self cater. Given the success Bibione has to a tremendous tourist flow, visitors might want to book or to rent a room in a timely manner.

Eating out in Bibione

Given the attention authorities pay to all details related to tourism, one might always expect to find the same sharpness when it comes to eating and drinking. There is a plethora of restaurants which service the gastronomic pursuits of all clients, but once in Bibione visitors should focus on sampling dishes the main ingredients of which refer either to fish, white asparagus, Arborio rice or, why not, to all of them, since Bibione excels in the catching and production, respectively, of such foodstuffs. Furthermore, the production of wine is carefully supervised by the competent authorities, which is why sampling some of the local offer will always crown a rich meal. People with a penchant for wine drinking should get to Bibione in September when the famous Septemberfest takes place.

Leisure Opportunities in Bibione

Bibione is so well fitted with leisure opportunities that one can hardly make time to tick them all off. Starting from the 8 kilometers long and 400 meters wide blue flagged beach and ending with the nearby attractions, tourists will always find something to catch their attention. Thus, beach sports – such as beach volley, beach soccer and beach tennis – and water sports – like windsurfing, sailing, paragliding or mere surfing and swimming – are complemented by water gym and open air dancing only to turn sunbathing into a more dynamic experience. Shopping is rich and alluring enough in Bibione to make tourists forget, even for a short moment, about the beach, whereas nightlife overwhelms by variety: clubbers and tourists with a penchant for dancing, romantics who get a thrill out of fine conversations accompanied by a glass of wine, as well as music enthusiasts are all taken into consideration when it comes to nighttime activities. Aquasplash and Gulliverlandia must also be ticked off if Bibione proves not to be as big as expected in terms of fun-enabling facilities or if one simply wants to explore the surroundings of this resort. The Zoo of the nearby resort of Lignano pertains to the same category of attractions.

Thermae and Spa in Bibione

A very precious asset of Bibione refers to its spa center, Bibione Thermae , which is, in fact, an autonomous establishment regardless of the tourist profile of the resort. Thus, holidaymakers might also want to resort to the services and facilities provided by this spa center, of which the most notable are the prevention treatments, the mud baths, the inhalation treatments and chromo-therapy, not to mention hydro-massage. Besides the spa center as such, tourists will be surprised to find out that, in fact, Bibione enables by all its sports activities facilities the wellness of its tourists, more than 10 sports events being programmed for 2010, encouraging visitors to stay as fit as possible.

Nature in Bibione

Last, but definitely not the least, nature is, in fact, the one which yields the charming background of Bibione , being the one to underlie the tourist performances of this resort. Besides the beach as such – which is partly the gift of nature and partly the work of man – Bibione takes pride in featuring a most enchanting pine forest replete with rich fauna and flora, the highlight of the later being represented by the wild orchids still growing in this area. What is truly poignant about this forest is it had, somehow, managed to stay unadulterated by the touch of the tourist boom and that certain human establishments – such as the towering lighthouse of Bibione and the typical casoni – blend perfectly in the natural scenery of the place.

Hotels in Bibione

Hotel bibione palace.

It’s elegant, it’s right next to the beach, it’s the perfect choice if you feel in the mood for being pampered. And Hotel Bibione Palace means business when they say they’re…

Hotel Ashanti

The Ashanti enjoys a privileged location, in central Bibione, right next to its private beach. It overtops its outdoor pool, sun terrace and garden. An inspired choice if you look…

Within a stone’s throw away from it private beach (some 50 meters) and a short walk from Bibione Thermae, Hotel Golf could be your next 3-star accommodation for a rewarding vacation…

Hotel Ca'D'Oro

Looking to spend an active vacation, in a laidback set and yet close to all the fun opportunities in Bibione? Consider the Ca’D’Oro for your next holiday on the Adriatic coastline.…

Are you planning the perfect vacation for your family? Or perhaps your notion of rewarding vacation consists of keeping active and fit, while also enjoying peacefulness and excellent…

Hotel Santa Lucia

It’s close to the beach and it enjoys a central location. Hotel Santa Lucia is a cozy medium size hotel you should consider for your next vacation in Bibione if you look for a balanced…

Hotel Bianchi

Located in Bibione Spiaggia, only some 70 meters from its own private beach, Hotel Bianchi could be your next chosen sleeping venue if you look to book a room for a simple, uncomplicated…

Hotel Amburgo

This small cozy hotel located in Bibione Spiaggia could be your next 3-star accommodation if you look for a laid back, relaxing and simple vacation on the Adriatic coastline. The hotel…

Residences in Bibione

Serenissima.

In the very heart of Bibione, Residence Serenissima welcomes you with the promise of a relaxing and comfortable vacation. They welcome you with a wide range of facilities and complimentary…

Princess Aparthotel

Close to the beach and close to Bibione Thermae, Princess Aparthotel could be your next sleeping venue in Bibione. If you count on the typical amenities of a 4-star hotel and on central…

Ashanti Aparthotel

Attractions in Bibione

Valgrande and vallesina.

Valgrande and Vallesina spread on some 475 hectares. Ancient fishing valleys, they are now recognized as to their environmental importance.

Portogruaro

It is located 32 km from Bibione. Portogruaro makes for an ideal destination if you want to change the beach for a completely different urban set.

Pineda marks the westernmost area of Bibione. This is where Portobaseleghe is located. The beach has a free area you can access without ticket.

Bike and mountain biking routes

Explore the bike and mountain biking routes in and around Bibione. The resort is a hub of cycle tourism in east Italy.

Tourists information Bibione

Sightseeing bibione.

Hotels in Bibione

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Why choose Bibione

for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday

With its expansive sandy beach, Bibione offers unlimited spaces to bask in the sun, indulge in leisurely reads, play sports, entertain kids and make new friends by the sea.

At Bibione, you’ll discover a pristine environment, with a smoke-free beach awarded with the prestigious Blue Flag. Here, you can enjoy high-quality services, ensuring an unforgettable experience within a safe and welcoming environment.

Bibione offers tailor-made holidays for everyone, including families, sports enthusiasts, leisure seekers and the disabled. Accommodation options are thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of every guest, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Choose the type of accommodation

Find the perfect solution for your holiday in Bibione.

A comfortable accommodation facility with impeccable services for a comfortable stay.

The comfort of an apartment combined with the services of a hotel.

Choose your hotel by category

Explore Bibione’s Hotels and discover the perfect accommodation for your needs.

Discover the calendar of events

From concerts and sporting events to food festivals, enjoy an unforgettable experience during your stay

AeQuilibrium Beach Volley Marathon® 05-2024

Bibione beach fitness 2024, bibione half marathon 2024, bibione beach challenge – spring edition 2024, the weather today saturday 27 april, experiences to enjoy.

Discover a world of emotions

Wellness and health

On the beach

Theme parks

A town that never ceases to amaze

The town of Bibione

A magical destination where beauty, relaxation and fun intertwine seamlessly

The history of Bibione

A fascinating history that is intricately woven with the magnificence of the Adriatic Sea

The beach of Bibione

A paradise for sun and sea lovers

Around Bibione

Experience unforgettable emotions immersed in history, culture and local traditions

Eco-sustainable tourism

Experience a genuine holiday with slow and eco-friendly tourism.

Holidaying in Bibione with your dog

Enjoy a relaxing holiday in the company of your dog

Explore the world of Bibione

Find inspiration, advice and information on making the most of your stay in Bibione.

X Lagoon: a dive into the beauty of Bibione, Vallevecchia and Caorle!

X-River: a bridge between Bibione and Lignano for a summer full of adventures!

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In Bibione the holiday is inclusive

Where to eat fish in Bibione: 10 restaurants where you can lick one’s lips

Bibione without gluten: many solutions for celiacs

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At about an hour's drive from Venice, directly overlooking and surrounded by the sea, is located Bibione. Bibione in Italy , the ' second Italian beach ' with six million visitors, its Blue Flag beach, the campsites and the hotels, the entertainment, the nightlife, the spa, sports.

The city of Bibione, surrounded by the romantic lagoon , offers its guests the sight of wonderful natural landscapes subtly touched by the Adriatic Sea . It is one of the most prestigious seaside resorts of the Adriatic coast, and is divided into 3 zones: Bibione Beach , Bibione Pineda and more recently Lido del Sole .

The extremely efficient tourist services you will find in Bibione are those that make this city become one of the best summer resorts in the Veneto region. It is a resort designed for families but which is also at the forefront for the fun of last generations. It provides amusement park , nightclubs ( near the beach ), various shops and sports facilities . Throughout the year, the resort organizes many events of different scope, ranging from sport , culture , folklore and gastronomy (Asparagus Festival, Septemberfest, Grape and Wine Feast).

And Bibione offers also many hotel and apartment accommodation facilities (in residence , B&B, camping, holiday house or apartments in Bibione ), providing high quality services and amenities for couples, families and group of friends.

From Bibione, you will be able to easily reach many cities full of history and tradition or go to Lignano beach, a very coveted summer resort of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. A vacation in the Green Adriatic Pearl provides excellent opportunities for recreation and relaxation, thanks to the advantage of the natural marvels kept by the magic coast as much as the fascinating inland, not forgetting the Spa of Bibione and the ability to regenerate body and mind.

The city of Bibione , surrounded by the romantic lagoon, offers its guests the sight of wonderful natural landscapes subtly touched by the Adriatic Sea. The extremely efficient tourist services you will find in Bibione are those that make this city become one of the best summer resorts in the Veneto region. From Bibione, you will be able to easily reach many cities full of history and tradition or go to Lignano beach, a very coveted summer resort of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. A vacation in the Adriatic Pearl Green provides excellent opportunities for recreation and relaxation, thanks to the advantage of the natural marvels kept by the magic coast as much as the fascinating inland, not forgetting the Spa of Bibione and the ability to regenerate body and mind.

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A Japanese Village Wants Tourists to Come for Heat, Soot and Steel

To lure visitors, residents of Yoshida, famed for its high-quality steel, are inviting tourists to help produce it.

The furnace in Yoshida reaches temperatures of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Credit...

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Photographs and Text by Craig Mod

• April 18, 2024

This past October, I found myself in Yoshida Village standing before a tatara, a giant open-top furnace that was filled with charcoal and raging with such controlled ferocity that it could have been a set piece in Lucifer’s bedroom.

Deep within the belly of those orange flames sat a growing and mangled ingot that contained some exceptionally high-quality steel called tamahagane, or jewel steel, from which Japanese swords have been made for much of the country’s history. The presence of a usable ingot seemed unlikely, and if true, downright alchemic. All we had been doing for the last 20 hours was gently shaking iron sand and fresh charcoal onto the flames at timed intervals.

Yoshida is nestled back in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture in central Japan, abutting the ever-turbulent Sea of Japan. For nearly 700 years, workers around Yoshida made jewel steel in places called tatara-ba (literally “furnace spots”) on a grueling schedule — one that reshaped mountains and rivers, that seared the brows of generations of sooty men shoveling charcoal in loincloths. Then, at the start of the 20th century, production all but ceased. Other methods were cheaper and more efficient.

At the height of its steel prowess, Yoshida swelled to nearly 15,000 people. Today, the population hovers around 1,500. As with many towns in the Japanese countryside, a mix of aging population, low birthrates and loss of industry has emptied its streets.

Recently, though, in a Colonial Williamsburg sort of way, 24-hour re-enactments of the old iron-smelting traditions began to be performed in Yoshida. The firings are managed by a man named Yuji Inoue, who works for Tanabe Corp., which owns the furnace. “We consider the tatara a symbol and a pillar of town development,” he told me, standing next to the flickering furnace. Mr. Inoue and Tanabe Corp. were trying to remake Yoshida into a kind of tatara village, which he hoped would create self-sufficiency, expand the population and revitalize the town.

And so with this notion of countryside regrowth in mind, a few times a year they fire up their furnace, invite tourists and birth an ingot weighing about 250 pounds.

The open-top blazing furnace was set on a concrete plinth in the center of a room. Flanking its longer sides were air intakes tubes, feeding the furnace, kicking it up to around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Around it all hung Shinto purification ropes. Just before the fire was lit, a priest had blessed the whole place, for luck and safety.

Safety was paramount because around the flames, at various stations, milled a team of some 20 excited tourists, a mix of both Japanese and a few foreigners, all dressed in very hip dark gray jumpsuits. These were people paying roughly ¥200,000, or about $1,500, for the chance to be a worker in a tatara-ba for a day and night. (They would get to keep the jumpsuits and a small piece of raw steel as souvenirs.) Their faces and hands were streaked by charcoal.

Jewel steel is produced by sprinkling iron sand — alluvial (river-deposited) sand saturated with iron — slowly over a charcoal pit. The tourists spent hours chopping the pine charcoal to precise sizes. They used scoops woven from bamboo to gather heaps of charcoal and dump them atop the furnace.

Off to the side stood a man named Noriaki Yasuda. He was the designated conductor — called a murage — of this slow dance between heat, charcoal and dampened iron sand. Dressed in an electric blue jumpsuit, he stood out in beautiful, almost poetic, contrast to the licking orange flames.

Monitoring the airflow, the color of the fire and the height of the charcoal with paternal concern, Mr. Yasuda scowled and watched, sometimes retreating to sit in his dark alcove, his arms crossed, still scowling and watching. To produce steel using the tatara technique, it turns out, you spend a lot of time watching.

Outside the all-encompassing warmth of the tatara-ba, the October mountain air felt like prickles on the skin. The sky was abundant with shooting stars. Shimane Prefecture truly is in Japan’s hinterlands. You can take trains to Shimane, but from Tokyo it’s a fairly arduous journey. So it’s easier (and cheaper) to fly there. Of course, I rode the trains. The 500-mile trip took about seven hours.

The area is best known for its astounding Izumo Shrine, a foundational place in Japanese cultural mythology. Still, Shimane was one of the least visited prefectures in 2019. Only a sliver of all inbound tourists made their way that year. In contrast to sites like Gion in Kyoto, which is now overwhelmed by visitors, Shimane reminded me of Covid-era Japan when international tourism was effectively banned.

“Steel is just iron with a little bit of carbon,” Mr. Yasuda explained to me. When I finally built up the courage to talk with him, his face lit up in a wide smile from behind his mask. (Everyone was wearing masks, less out of Covid concerns and more because of the charcoal dust.) He casually led me to a blackboard in the back of his resting space and sketched out the basic chemical formulas of what was happening in the furnace, how charcoal serves two purposes. First, it burns much hotter than wood. And second, its carbon atoms are essential to the formation of steel; embedded between iron atoms, they increase the strength of the metal.

As I stood and watched that giant burning thing, I thought back to Akihira Kawasaki, the master Japanese swordsmith I had visited a few days earlier. I explained how I had never before held a Japanese sword, had never carefully looked at one up close. He nodded and removed one of his gleaming works from its scabbard and placed it on a piece of red felt.

I picked it up, and it felt like holding a black hole, as if light were disappearing into the ridge line of the blade, as if light was being flipped and flopped onto and into itself. My eyes couldn’t get a purchase on the thing. It glimmered and reflected like a mirror and simultaneously seemed to inhale the world. Held up to the lights, the blade seemed to glow as if lit from within.

I was mesmerized. It was a thing of extraordinary beauty: delicate yet strong, and terrifying in sharpness. An atavistic choir in the subcortical corner of my brain was screaming, “Stay away from that edge!” When I placed it back on the felt — warily, delicately, with great focus — I still accidentally sliced off a corner of the mat.

The gap between the smelting process and the end product of the sword was enough to make a thinking person faint. All this charcoal and sand, this heat, this sootiness, this periodic removal of slag — impurities that come out like molten lava, scooped up with shovels and carted away in beaten-up old wheelbarrows to be dumped outside in a smoldering heap — from the bottom of the furnace. That this process of utter rawness could result in a Japanese blade so pregnant with artistry and violence was a miracle of the highest order.

Back inside the tatara-ba, after 20 hours of feeding the furnace, the sand ran out and the process ended. A crowd of some 30 villagers, including several children, squeezed inside the furnace’s building. The concrete outer shell of the furnace was gingerly lifted with the help of a winch. The full force of the heat hit us all immediately. Inside still burned a mass of charcoal. Below the bed of charcoal was a floor of liquid slag. And in the middle of it sat what looked like a mauled rock — the ingot all this work had produced.

The crowd cheered. The ingot was brought onto the dirt floor, and we all gathered around it to take a family portrait.

Can you revitalize a town through steel-making in 2024? I don’t know. But Japan is dotted with this kind of history, culture and craft. The countryside is disappearing, but efforts like this are a worthwhile way to look back and honor what was — and to build something sustainable and future-facing.

There’s a practical element to it all, too: Tamahagane can’t be made any other way. “It seems that modern steel-making cannot produce the same thing,” Mr. Inoue told me when I asked why it was worth all the effort. “The tamahagane is right there, as the highest-quality pieces of the ingot,” he said. Those pieces will be broken off and shipped to a handful of swordsmiths across the country, and also to the museum shop in Yoshida. It turns out that tamahagane also makes amazing golf putters.

Craig Mod is a writer and photographer based in Kamakura and Tokyo. You can follow his work on Instagram: @craigmod . His previous book, “Kissa by Kissa,” chronicles a 435-mile walk along the Nakasendo Highway from Tokyo to Kyoto. His forthcoming book, “Things Become Other Things,” will be published by Random House in the spring of 2025.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Maine State Police investigate fatal crash on Maine Turnpike in Wells

A 53-year-old woman from Albion was killed in the 4-vehicle pileup that brought southbound traffic to a standstill Friday morning.

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Maine State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened on the southbound Maine Turnpike near mile marker 20 in Wells Friday morning.

Police said four cars were involved in the crash just before 9 a.m. The pileup began when a Toyota Prius driven by Oguzhan Cildir, a 23-year-old from Brighton, Massachusetts, struck a Toyota pickup operated by Gloria Cascio, 53, of Albion, police said. Her car rolled several times and Cascio was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vincent Cascio, 60, of Albion, was a passenger in the pickup and was transported to Maine Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Another driver involved in the crash, Troy Perrault, 51, of Old Orchard Beach, sustained minor injuries.

The crash brought southbound traffic to a standstill Friday morning. The lanes were reopened early Friday afternoon.

State police said in a post around 10 a.m. on X, formerly known as Twitter, that there was a significant multivehicle crash at mile marker 20, just above Exit 19. Traffic was diverted to Exit 25 in Kennebunk.

The Maine Turnpike Authority also issued an alert Friday morning just before 9 a.m., notifying people of the crash and saying to expect delays and use caution in the area.

Police say they are continuing to investigate the crash.

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Opinion: Portland Museum of Art appears to have lost its way

Amtrak planners identify 3 possible sites for new train station in portland, casco bay lines oks first rate hike in 15 years, and it’s a big one – for tourists, portland coffee company becomes first in maine to ratify contract with labor union, daily headlines.

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