As we know, Japan is an archipelago with thousands of islands, and like all islands, it has beaches. But some places are more popular than others, so with that in mind, we are going to make a guide to the best beaches in Japan.
In case you think beach episode clichés are boring, I have to warn you that they fit perfectly with Japanese customs. They love the beach (or in the case of men, girls in bikinis) and it counts as a good fanservice, but they don't usually spend the whole year on the beaches.
Well, it's not just because of the cold there are other factors that influence this japanese fun, and at the end of the Post I will comment more on this. That is, why the Japanese only go to the beach in the summer.
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Basic information about beaches in Japan
Being an island, it is bathed by the ocean on all sides, thus resulting in an extensive coastline, so the amount of sand strip is equally extensive. But there is the fact that it is a long archipelago, which results in different climates in the regions, for example the northern winter is colder than the southern one, but the differences are small.
And just as it has to be, the beaches provide many basic facilities like toilets and showers, and the hazards are also normal, as are strong currents and marine life like jellyfish. In addition to having strict rules about cleaning the beaches, where bathers must dispose of rubbish in the appropriate place or take it with them.
In addition, nudity is generally not allowed on public beaches, which is no surprise as they are very fond of modesty. Something ironic since there are onsens, and even mixed onsens, in some hidden parts of Japan.
Anyway, these warnings must be followed to the letter. And it's always good to have travel insurance when traveling. I indicate access travel insurance for japan, which is a good site for that.
The best beaches in Japan
If you are thinking of traveling to Japan or taking a vacation there, you can mark these beaches in your calendar, but remember not to go exactly in winter, or rather go in winter, because winter here is at the same time as summer there, so you have to go when it's winter here in Brazil (June-September).
I hope you understand, so let's continue, remembering that as I said at the beginning, the best beaches and the best climates for beaches can be found further south in the country. And even in the south of the country, opinion is unanimous when it comes to the best, as everyone will say the same thing, Okinawa.
We can say that it's like a Copacabana there, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones. So calm down, I'm not just going to talk about Okinawa and other similar ones, but I'm not going to comment on all the beaches on the archipelago either. But let's go in parts, starting with the cliché beaches.
Okinawa's beaches
Famous for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters and warm weather, but with temperatures dropping below 15 degrees in winter. Its beaches are open all year, but the best time to swim is between the end of May and October, that is, the summer there.
main island
The main island has many white sandy beaches, some of which are owned by the large resort hotels located along the beach. Resort beaches are open to all, though some charge for beach access. However, the beaches are a spectacle on their own, and for a good beach lover, this is just an irrelevant tribute to pay.
Kerama Islands
The Kerama Islands are 40 kilometers west of the main island of Okinawa, ironic but true, and offer white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and diving, that is, everything you can do on the beach and a little more.
In addition, its natural beauties are also a spectacle on its own, as corals and coral reef fish can be seen close to the coast, and sea turtles can even be seen near some beaches, so don't forget to take a small excursion in the water, as the beaches also offer services like these.
Kume Island
There are three main beaches on the island of Kume that offer swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Not far away is a seven kilometer long sea of white sand known as Hatenohama Beach, which can only be accessed by boat.
I particularly like beaches of this type, after all it has a touch of refuge and gives a feeling of security. But it's my opinion, you may not like it and prefer something more affordable.
Miyako Island
Miyako Island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture and is known for having some of the best beaches in Japan and being a great destination for snorkeling and diving. There are picturesque sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing and coral reefs for snorkeling.
That is, it cannot be left out of your travel list under any circumstances, just for the coral reefs it would be worth a visit, but bathers are very happy for being one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Ishigaki Island
This island offers several nice beaches and snorkeling in the coral reefs that surround almost every beach on the island. Kabira Bay, considered to be the most picturesque sight on Ishigaki Island, does not allow swimming or snorkeling, but glass-bottom boat tours are available for those wishing to explore the bay.
And this closes the list that corresponds to the islands of Okinawa prefecture, soon we will talk about other prefectures and their shores, which can certainly be a good attraction for those who are not willing to go to the south of the country.
Kagoshima Prefecture
Bordering Okinawa Prefecture, this prefecture is just north of Okinawa, and has over 2000 km of coastline including 28 islands in its archipelago. The prefecture is also home to a chain of volcanoes, including the famous Sakurajima.
Amami Oshima
Amami Oshima offers many large and beautiful white sand beaches along its coast. Some offer good diving opportunities. Amami's beaches tend to be less crowded than Okinawa's. Particularly, there is not much difference on the beaches, but it can be a good destination for those who do not follow the trend.
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Tokyo's beaches
Yes, even the biggest metropolis in the world has its beaches. For, despite the image of Tokyo as a bustling metropolis, there are beaches not far from the city. In summer, the beaches along the Shonan coast and the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture are very popular.
The Izu Peninsula is often considered to have the best beaches and diving near Tokyo, while the Boso Peninsula is particularly popular with surfers. The Izu Island chain south of Tokyo, including Izu Oshima, offers more options.
The official swimming season around Tokyo usually lasts from mid-July to August, but air and water temperatures are often warm enough before July and September.
Odaiba
Odaiba has an 800 meter long artificial beach near the Decks shopping mall, with public facilities such as showers and toilets. Swimming is not allowed on the beach, and most people go there to enjoy the sun and sand, as well as participate in activities such as beach volleyball.
I would say it's just for those who want to get a tan and admire the scenery. In addition to practicing some beach sport like volleyball. And to complement, the Rainbow Bridge and the skyscrapers of Tokyo can be seen from the beach, and the place is also advisable to see the sunset.
Kamakura
Kamakura's beaches can be reached within a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station. Even though the sand is not white, the beaches are still very popular during the summer months and are packed with locals and visitors alike. This proves the taste that the Japanese have for sand, sea and sun.
The rental of shops and temporary beach huts are open for business during the swimming season, and public facilities include showers and restrooms. That is, it is a great place to spend a weekend, or to get some summer work, which is a cliché in anime.
Enoshima
The beaches cover the entire east and west coast of Enoshima, and right next to them are two popular swimming beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards and are crowded with restaurants and temporary beach huts that play popular music and rent out lounge chairs and sun umbrellas for bathers during summer holidays.
Remembering that it's not just one or two beaches, so it's good to choose one that certainly matches your needs, for that you use criteria such as your accommodation, distance and travel costs, all to get the best out of it.
Boso Peninsula
Beaches line the coast of the Boso Peninsula and are a popular and relatively easy day out from Tokyo. The east coast faces the Pacific Ocean, making surfing and boogie boarding popular activities, while the west coast offers calmer waters and views of Mount Fuji when visibility is very good.
Ogasawara Islands
The Ogasawara Islands are a chain of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. The subtropical islands lie about 1000 kilometers south of Tokyo, practically in the middle of nowhere, and are only accessible by ferry from Tokyo.
But isolation is a boon for those looking to escape, and the islands offer many secluded beaches with opportunities for snorkeling and swimming. Similar to Okinawa, the best time to go swimming here is around June through October, when temperatures consistently top 25 degrees.
Izu Peninsula
Shirahama Beach is the most famous of the many beaches on the Izu Peninsula – many of which are near the southern tip of the peninsula. The white sandy beach is about 800 meters long with facilities such as showers, changing rooms and toilets and shops nearby. The beach is also known for relatively good surfing conditions.
Other popular beaches in Japan
Inland Sea of Seto
The Seto Inland Sea lies between the main Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The Seto Inland Sea islands have a mild climate and some offer beautiful resorts with beaches and other attractions. The swimming season usually lasts from July to September.
Shirahama Beach
Shirahama Beach is a 500-meter long sandy beach in Shirahama, a well-developed hot spring resort in Wakayama Prefecture. This popular beach sees many visitors during the summer, and beach paraphernalia rental stores open during the swimming season. Public facilities include showers, changing rooms and toilets.
Kikugahama Beach
The beach is located near Hagi Castle Ruins in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and overlooks Mount Shizuki nearby. It's a popular beach for swimming and sunbathing, and public facilities include showers, changing rooms, and restrooms.
Jodoghama Beach
Jodoghama Beach is one of the most famous tourist spots along the coast of Sanriku and features interesting rock formations. Popular in summer, the beach is also ranked as one of the top 100 beaches in Japan, with its clear entrance that is sheltered from the open ocean. Public beach facilities are available.
Miho beach
Miho Beach is best known for its views of Mount Fuji and pine trees. The beach has rocks instead of sand, and areas for swimming can be found on the opposite side of the peninsula. Paid facilities on the beach include showers, toilets and changing rooms.
Tottori sand dunes
The sand dunes at Tottori are situated by the Sea of Japan and create one of the longest beaches in Japan. The area is popular with families and groups who come to enjoy the sun and sea.
Beach huts open during the summer, and public facilities consist of showers, changing rooms, and toilets, while other outdoor attractions on the dunes include camel rides, paragliding, and sandboarding (Read our article on tottori).
momochihama beach
This is an artificial beach along Hakata Bay at the foot of Fukuoka Tower. There is an artificial island in the center of the beach, with restaurants, shops and a ferry port with connections to Hakata Bay. The beach is a popular spot for sports such as volleyball and football/soccer, as well as swimming and sunbathing.
The use of beaches in Japan
An intriguing phenomenon in Japan is the desertification of beaches after summer, a calm that is nothing like the beach disappearing or becoming inhospitable. The fact is that practically no one visits the beaches after the end of the season. It's not something I'm exaggerating, the beaches are really empty, even if it's a relatively high temperature.
For example, above 25 degrees, in several countries the coastlines would be crowded regardless of the season. But in Japan this doesn't happen, even if it's a good temperature, the beaches are still deserted if it's not summer.
Well, it's not because they don't like the beach, on the contrary, they love the beach and if you visit Japan in July or August you will see thousands of people every day leaving their comfort and heading to the beaches in the heat of the season.
Why does it happen? Well, we can blame the Japanese indoctrination of the rules. What does that mean? Basically, the Japanese are trained from an early age to respect the rules and various other customs regarding authorities. It may seem like a kind of rebuke to freedom but it works very well.
And with this introduction we come to the cause of the phenomenon. The government is extremely strict about the beaches, and because of the Japanese culture they tend to interfere with this activity as much as possible so that it is not held out of season.
For this they do things like remove lifeguards from their backs and close all facilities like bars and restaurants, all of which are prevented from working by law. And even the citizens themselves are so submissive to the authorities that they would never think of defying them.
What do you think of beaches in Japan?
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and remember to always respect the rules when visiting Japan, as you saw there, they are extremely concerned about rules, and maybe that's why westerners have bad impressions of this country, as we don't usually think in “mass” we only care about ourselves.
So be careful, maybe you will be warned by some Japanese and think it was just because he thought you were ugly, here's the tip to get rid of an argument. If you have any questions, criticisms, suggestions or anything else, just leave your comment below.
And don't forget to share the page on social networks, and I ask that you give your rating to let us know if you liked the content. And thank you for reading the article so far and until the next one, bye.
