Japanese map symbol for sand

An evenly stippled area.

Also known as: Sunachi mark, Dune mark

In Japanese:: 砂地
In Japanese (Latin):: sunachi

Maps & navigationStandard profile

Meanings

Denotes sand, dune or beach on a Japanese topographic map.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Marks sand, dune or beach on a GSI topographic sheet.
Contexts: Maps
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Is distinguished from the perennial snow stipple by regularity of spacing rather than by dot size, so the two must be read against each other rather than in isolation.
Contexts: Maps

Visual description

An area filled with fine dots spaced evenly, denser and more regular than the stipple used for snow.

Symmetry: none
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Map symbols used on Japanese topographic maps
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) · retrieved 2026-08-23
Japan's national mapping agency's own published legend. Cited for the form and meaning of a symbol on Japanese topographic maps; the historical origin of individual symbols is cited separately where claimed.

Last reviewed 2026-08-26

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Japanese topographic map symbols

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Meanings

Denotes sand, dune or beach on a Japanese topographic map.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Marks sand, dune or beach on a GSI topographic sheet.

Contexts: Maps

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Is distinguished from the perennial snow stipple by regularity of spacing rather than by dot size, so the two must be read against each other rather than in isolation.

Contexts: Maps

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Map symbols used on Japanese topographic maps
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) · retrieved 2026-08-23
Japan's national mapping agency's own published legend. Cited for the form and meaning of a symbol on Japanese topographic maps; the historical origin of individual symbols is cited separately where claimed.

Last reviewed 2026-08-26