People visit the best beaches in Japan to take part in one-of-a-kind beachgoing experiences, including taking natural hot sand baths, scuba diving with never seen oceanic wildlife, and viewing some of the most spectacular sunsets we can find on earth.
Japan houses some of the world’s most famed and pristine beaches that attract a wide variety of tourists from around the globe.
Below is a guide to ten of Japan’s best beaches and an overview of each waterfront locale.
Contents
- Exciting Adventures Await You at Japan’s Best Beaches!
- 10 Best Beaches in Japan
- #1. – Shirahama Beach, Wakayama
- #2. Nishihama Beach, Okinawa
- #3. – Yonaha Maehama Beach, Miyako Island, Okinawa
- #4. – Kondoi Beach, Taketomi Island, Okinawa
- #5. – Kamakura Beach, Kanagawa
- #6. – Zushi Beach, Kanagawa
- #7. – Ibusuki Beach, Kagoshima
- #8. – Shichirigahama Beach, Kanagawa
- #9. – Akajima Beach, Okinawa
- #10. – Sunset Beach, Okinawa
- Japan Safety Overview
Exciting Adventures Await You at Japan’s Best Beaches!
Tourists and residents visiting Japan’s world-class beaches are provided with an immersive experience reminiscent of being on a movie set.
People who visit the best beaches in Japan can participate in the following land and sea-based activities for an exciting beach adventure!
- Swimming – When most of us think about going to the beach, swimming in the water is usually the first option we consider. The same is true of Japan’s best beaches, which offer visitors unique swimming experiences during their opening season.
- Snorkeling – The waters of some of Japan’s best beaches are surprisingly clear and pristine. Clear water conditions make snorkeling and sea-watching aquatic wildlife a favorite pastime for families and frolickers who spend time at Japanese beaches.
- Paddleboarding – Gliding across the clear waters at Japan’s most popular beaches is another favorite activity of beachgoers in the region. Beachgoers at locations near popular cities like Tokyo and Okinawa can get a unique view of nature while getting some exercise when engaging in this peaceful and serene activity that involves standing up and gliding across the water using a paddleboard and an oar.
Preparing to spend your next or first beach day in Japan doesn’t have to be complicated when you follow a few basic steps.
Step #1. – Check Local Weather Reports
Nothing can ruin your beach day faster than inclement weather like severe thunderstorms or even stronger storms like hurricanes that occur in this region.
Check local weather reports for the beaches you plan to visit to avoid making a wasted trip.
Step #2. – Pack the Essentials
Find or purchase a waterproof beach bag to pack food, toiletries, emergency kits, and other items you feel are essential to avoid getting caught without them once you’ve settled on the beach.
Step #3. – Choose the Best Transportation
Traffic congestion getting to and from Japanese beaches can be hectic.
So you and your beachgoing party should decide what mode of transport you’ll be using to get to the beach.
Many of Japan’s beaches are close to transit stations, car ferries, and high-speed ferries, making it easy for people to access the beaches via public transportation.
10 Must-Have Items for Visiting Beaches in Japan
Make sure you have packed the following must-have items packed in your waterproof beach bag when you’re ready to go to the beach in Japan.
- Ferry or Train Schedule
- Maps
- Cash
- Personal Identification
- Coolers or Insulated Bags
- Beach Chairs
- Beach Towels
- Beach Umbrellas
- Beach Toys
- Beach Blanket
10 Best Beaches in Japan
The ten best beaches in Japan are found in every part of the country.
Some of the most famous beaches in this country attract millions of visitors each year.
People visit Japan’s favorite beaches to cool off from the summer heat, soak up the natural health benefits of bathing in the sun, and for physical fitness.
Following is a list of 10 popular beaches frequented by beachgoers in Japan.
#1. – Shirahama Beach, Wakayama
About the Beach
People visit Shirahama Beach in South Central Japan to take advantage of the crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches that offer the ideal diving conditions for amateur and expert scuba divers in the area.
This famous local beach attracts visitors who want to swim, wade, and frolic in the waves of the Pacific Ocean and take advantage of one-of-a-kind views that include gorgeous underwater coral reefs and towering natural rock formations that form a breathtaking sight at sunset and sunrise.
Contact Information
Address: Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211 – Japan
Website: https://en.visitwakayama.jp/destinations/shirahama-kushimoto/
#2. Nishihama Beach, Okinawa
About the Beach
Nishihama Beach in Okinawa, Japan, is a local hotspot for visitors and residents alike.
Beachgoers at this location, featuring turquoise blue waters, enjoy engaging in water-based activities like swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters of the Pacific.
This location offers limited access to food vendors.
In addition, they have public restrooms and showers where beach visitors can change clothes and shower before and after visiting the beach.
Contact Information
Address: Hateruma, Taketomi, Yaeyama District, Okinawa 907-1751, Japan
Website: https://www.worldbeachguide.com/japan/nishihama-beach.htm
#3. – Yonaha Maehama Beach, Miyako Island, Okinawa
About the Beach
Yonaha Beach is one of Japan’s out-of-the-way beaches that offers a feeling of seclusion while soaking up the sun and enjoying the waters of the Pacific Coast of Asia in Japan.
Tourists and residents rate Yonaha Beach as one of the top, sandy beaches in the region.
In addition, beachgoers take advantage of swimming and snorkeling in the waters off Miyako Island.
People who want to visit this beach can access Yonaha Beach by car once they have reached the island of Miyako by plane.
Contact Information
Address: Yonah-1199 Shimoji, Miyakokima 906-0000 – Japan
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/562/
#4. – Kondoi Beach, Taketomi Island, Okinawa
About the Beach
Kondoi Beach is located on one of Japan’s Pacific islands.
It regularly receives rave reviews from local beachgoers and other visitors worldwide.
The beach has public facilities like toilets and showers, making it easy for beachgoers to begin and end their beach day with a fresh swimsuit and clean, dry clothing.
People enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and observing the natural wildlife while bathing in the marble-blue waters of Japan’s Kondoi Beach.
Contact Information
Address: Kondoi Beach – Yaeyama District, Okinawa 907-1101, Japan
Website: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g14119906-d1310367-Reviews-Kondoi_Beach-Taketomi_cho_Yaeyama_gun_Okinawa_Prefecture.html
#5. – Kamakura Beach, Kanagawa
About the Beach
Kamakura is one of Tokyo, Japan’s most visited beaches.
This beach is just about an hour’s drive outside of Tokyo and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the region.
People visit Kamakura Beach to swim, paddleboard, sunbathe, and take in the natural formations like Mt. Fuji which is visible from the beach.
This beach operates on a limited annual schedule.
It is within walking distance of a train station, making it easier for urban beachgoers in the Tokyo area to access it.
Contact Information
Address: Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0014, Japan
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1589/
#6. – Zushi Beach, Kanagawa
About the Beach
Residents enjoy the family-friendly environment and beach activities at Zushi Beach in Kanagawa, Japan.
This beach is the closest natural beach easily accessible by Tokyo residents and visitors.
Like many of the best beaches in Japan, Zushi Beach offers magnificent views of the nearby historical Japanese landmark, Mount Fuji, an active volcano that sits atop one of the region’s tallest mountains.
Contact Information
Address: 2-chōme-3 Shinjuku, Zushi, Kanagawa 249-0007, Japan
Website: https://trip.pref.kanagawa.jp/destination/zushi-beach/307
#7. – Ibusuki Beach, Kagoshima
About the Beach
Ibusuki Beach is one of Japan’s mysterious beaches, believed to be a spot where many lovers naturally meet and come together.
This mythological beach is Kagoshima and sits on top of a natural hot spring where beachgoers are said to reap the benefits of naturally heated sand baths.
People visit Ibusuki Beach for swimming, relaxation, hot sand baths, and the nature-boosting benefits of the in-ground hot springs.
Contact Information
Address: Junicho, Ibusuki 891-0403 Kagoshima
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/606/
#8. – Shichirigahama Beach, Kanagawa
About the Beach
People visit Shichirigahama Beach for its stunning bay, shore, and coastal shoreline views.
Its wide vista makes it an ideal viewing location for beachgoers who want to enjoy natural and manufactured sights while basking in the Japanese sun.
There are limited opportunities for swimming at Shichirigahama Beach, as most people visit this part of the beach for sightseeing or sunbathing.
Contact Information
Address: Shichirigahama Beach, Japan – Kanagawa Kamakura, 1
Website: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303156-d3751619-Reviews-Shichirigahama_Beach-Kamakura_Kanagawa_Prefecture_Kanto.html
#9. – Akajima Beach, Okinawa
About the Beach
Akajima Beach also goes by the name of “Aka Islands.”
People enjoy visiting the islands to take advantage of diving and snorkeling in the pristine waters found in this region.
The beach has a wide variety of observable marine life that attracts thousands of amateur and expert scuba divers and snorkelers for an up-close experience.
Beachgoers can access Akajima Beaches by taking a traditional car ferry or high-speed ferry to access the beach from the mainland.
Contact Information
Address: Japan, 〒901-3311 Okinawa, Shimajiri District, Zamami, Aka,
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/561/
#10. – Sunset Beach, Okinawa
About the Beach
Sunset Beach in Okinawa, Japan, attracts residents and global tourists who swim in its immaculate beaches and end their beach days with unspoiled views of the Okinawa sunset.
There are plenty of options for people interested in swimming, sunbathing, and viewing the natural oceanic wildlife that inhabits the Pacific waters off the coast of Okinawa.
The beach is near the American Village and draws local and global visitors who want to take advantage of spectacular views and have easy access to nearby amenities and popular eateries.
Contact Information
Address: 234-323 Hirakubo, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0331, Japan
Website: https://okinawatravelinfo.com/beach/sunset/
Japan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Japan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
