Summer in Japan Series 3: Best Beaches in Japan | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan
Sea, sand and leaves

Summer in Japan Series 3: Best Beaches in Japan

By Chanankarn Jun 15, 2022

This post is also available in: Thai

One of the interesting and ordinary activities during the summer is going to the beach. Swimming in the clear sea water, lying back to sunbathe, or eating seafood are activities that make us happy in the summer! But where are the best beaches in Japan to enjoy these activities?

Guidable’s Recommendations! The Best Beaches in Japan

In this article, we introduce a list of 15 fascinating islands and beaches from north to south of Japan. Where are they? What activities can you do there? Let’s explore together!

1. Otaru Dream Beach – Hokkaido

Otaru Dream Beach is located in Otaru, Hokkaido. It’s a trendy beach in summer with a party, fun atmosphere! There are also interesting bars and shops along the coast. The main highlight of this beach is the lovely and warm people who enjoy interacting with non-Japanese residents. They may approach you to chat in a friendly way! 

2. Shimamu Beach – Hokkaido

Shimamu Beach is located on the Shakotan Peninsula, Hokkaido area. The beach and cliffs face the rough, rocky waters of the Sea of Japan. You can experience gorgeous coastal scenery, swim in the clear blue sea, and sample local seafood specialties. 

There are no services and small shops on the beach, so you need to bring everything, such as sunblock, food, water, and other refreshments. However, restrooms and public drinking fountains are available near the beach. 

3. Jodogahama Beach – Iwate

Jodogahama Beach is located in Miyako city, Iwate Prefecture. It is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Sanriku Coast and is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park.

Jodogahama Beach means Pure Land Beach. According to its scenery, Jodogahama Beach is always listed in Japan’s 100 Best Beaches, 100 Best Beaches for Swimming, and 100 Scents of Japan because of its breathtaking view.

Going to Jodogahama Beach is very convenient. You can go there by Iwate Kenpoku bus, which operates one or two buses per hour between Miyako Station and Jodogahama. Other facilities such as marine houses, rent houses, and boat rental services are also provided to welcome tourists. 

4. Oarai Beach – Ibaraki

Ibaraki Prefecture is northeast of Tokyo, around 2 hours away. The prefecture has a vast coastline that faces the Pacific Ocean. Oarai beach is one of the largest beaches in Ibaraki. 

It is open for swimming and water sports from mid-July to mid-August. They also have free public showers and bathrooms, including a barbeque area. It is also known as a universal beach because it is equipped with barrier-free amenities so that persons with disabilities and the elderly may enjoy the beach without difficulty.

Additionally, you can join a net fishing tour if you visit Oarai beach between April and October. Ask for details from the fishing shop in that area.

5. Moriya Beach – Chiba

Moriya Beach is located at Minami Boso Quasi-National Park in Katsuura City, Chiba prefecture. This beach was one of Japan’s Top 100 Beaches by the Ministry of the Environment in 2006. 

You can go on foot to Watashima Island, an island with a shrine gate over the sea, connected at low tide.

A sea during a sunset

Credit: Canva.com

6. Shichirigahama Beach – Kanagawa

Shichirigahama Beach is a beach not far from Tokyo, located in Sagami Bay in the southeast of Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. In 1996, this beach was chosen as one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful beaches because of the beautiful scenery. In addition, this beach was featured in Hokusai’s painting ‘Shichiri Beach in Sagami Province‘!

7. Enoshima Island – Kanagawa

Many tourists may be familiar with Enoshima island in Kanagawa prefecture because it is a famous tourist destination in Japan and not far from Tokyo. Also, it is a paradise for cat lovers because there are cute, fat, round stray cats that welcome tourists everywhere on the island.

Katase Higashihama and Koshigoe beaches are swimming beaches you can enjoy on Enoshima island. For two months, in July and August, every year tourists visit these beaches to cool down in the sea.

There are many restaurants, shops, beach tarps for rent, and lifeguards for safety reasons. Moreover, those beaches are popular surfing spots in Japan!

Read about how you can spend a perfect day at Enoshima in this article.

8. Futatsugame Beach – Niigata

Futatsugame Beach is located on Sado Island, Niigata prefecture. It is the most popular family beach on Sado Island, full of people during summer! You can enjoy swimming in clear sea water, or lie down on the beach.

There also provides a lifeguard for safety reasons in the daytime and other facilities such as public toilets and shower rooms. For more information, click here.

9. Shirahama Beach – Shizuoka

Shirahama Beach is located in the south of the Izu Peninsula. It is one of the most famous and popular sand beaches for sunbathing and surfing which has the swimming season begins in mid-July to August. Also, there are shops and local restaurants, and beach rental equipment stores along the main road. 

10. Shirahama Beach – Wakayama

Another Shirahama Beach, which is located in the Kansai Area. This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Wakayama prefecture. Shirahama means white beach that you can walk on. Also, there are fireworks held on selected evenings during summer.

Tsunoshima Island, one of the best beaches in Japan

Credit: Canva.com

11. Tsunoshima Island – Yamaguchi

Tsunoshima Island is located on the west side of Yamaguchi Prefecture. An attractive, fantastic bridge, ‘Tsunoshima Bridge‘ is the second-longest bridge in the country that connects the island to mainland Japan. The bridge is 1,780 meters long with flawlessly straight and sloping curves.

However, it’s not only the bridge that draws tourists to Tsunoshima but there is also Shiokaze Cobalt Blue Beach. A soft white sand beach for relaxing, where you can find local vegetables and seafood shops to look for souvenirs.

12. Naoshima Island – Kagawa

Naoshima Island is an island in the Seto Inland Sea, part of Kagawa Prefecture. It is famous for its contemporary art museums, architecture, and sculptures. 

Naoshima Island has been selected as a venue for the 2022 Setouchi Triennale; a contemporary art festival held every three years. 

Moreover, there is a designated sandy beach and swimming beach area where you can lay back and relax. For more information, check this out here.

13. Irino Beach – Kochi

Irino Beach is located in Kuroshio city, Kochi prefecture. It is one of Japan’s best and most beautiful beaches for surfing. Tourists can enjoy the sea air, clean sand, and continuous waves during summer, but water sports in the beach area should be handled with extreme caution because of the risk of shark attacks. 

14. Amami Oshima Island – Kagoshima 

Amami Oshima Island is the largest island in the southwest the Kyushu region and belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture. It is a beautiful island with extraordinary and plentiful nature, such as climate forests and the richness of Okinawa cultures.

Amami Oshima island has attractive beautiful beaches and warm waters ideal for swimming during the summer months. You also can snorkel to see corals and aquatic life. The best time for experiencing Amami Oshima is from late June through August.

Sunayama Beach in Okinawa, one of the best beaches in Japan

Credit: Canva.com

15. Sunayama Beach – Okinawa

Sunayama Beach is located on Okinawa island. “Sunayama” means “sandy hill.”

It is a beach that opens all year round for swimming, which everyone can enjoy! It is also famous for scenery with blue sea, white sand, and arc-shaped rocks, creating a play of light and shadow that can be called the art of nature.

Which of Our Best Beaches in Japan Is Your Favorite?

This list of beaches in this article shows only some beaches in Japan that are famous among tourists. However, there still are more beaches in Japan that you can enjoy!  

If you have some in mind, send a message and let us know at @guidablejapan on Instagram.

 

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