Japan has some beautiful beaches, but they are mostly located in Hokkaido or Okinawa. Are there any other places where you can enjoy a relaxing beach vacation? If you’re currently asking yourself this question, you’re in the right place.
Beach vacations are great ways to relax and unwind after a long day at work. There are plenty of beaches in Japan, but only a handful of them offer a true beach experience – and we’re going to be talking you through them below.
Check out our guide to the best Japanese beaches!
Are There Any Beaches In Japan?
Now that you know that there are many beaches in Japan, you might currently be wondering which ones you should include in your itinerary. This is where we come in to lend a helping hand!
Check out our list of the best beaches you should consider visiting below:
Jodogahama Beach
Jodogahama is a small beach town located on the northern coast of Miyagi Prefecture, approximately 30 minutes from Sendai by car or train.
Alongside the stunning beach, this area has many hiking trails and beautiful views of Mount Iwate and even has a selection of several restaurants and hotels in this area.
If you’d like to visit, there are two main roads that lead to Jodogahama: one is called “Yamagata” road (which goes through the city of Yamagata) and the other is called “Sendai” road (which goes directly to Sendai).
Both roads will take you there, but you can also get there by public transport. Once you get there, you’ll be able to enjoy the stunning views of Jodogahama Beach, just make sure you remember to bring your beach towel!
Odaiba Beach
If you’re looking for a golden beach surrounded by turquoise waters – then Odaiba Beach might be just what you’re looking for.
At the time of writing, Odaiba Beach is the only beach in Japan that is listed as being an official beach, which might go some way to explain why it’s one of the most visited beaches in Japan.
Keep in mind, it’s not necessarily the best beach to visit if you’re looking to go for a dip – but it is a great beach to visit if you want to relax, soak up the sun or simply have a picnic.
It also just so happens to be located near a variety of shopping malls – so if you do visit the Odaiba Beach, you can shop until you drop, too!
Iwanuma Beach
Next up, we have selected Iwanuma Beach. This beach is a popular tourist destination with its white-sand beaches and clear blue waters. This is a very picturesque area and you’ll find lots of people taking photos – so don’t forget to bring along yours.
There are many restaurants and shops along the seaside as well as plenty of accommodation options.
As a side note, if you do want to stop by and spend the day at this beautiful beach – try to get there early! As this beach is great for swimming and has plenty of golden sand, this beach can get pretty busy, especially during the summer.
Miyako-Jima Beaches
Are you seeking a tropical paradise? If so, then you might want to consider visiting this the pictereqque island of Miyako-Jima during your stay in Japan. This beautiful island is home to a vast array of beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear water.
It’s home to a variety of hotels, tourist activities and restaurants – and is also a popular spot for swimming and surfing.
Keep in mind that, if you would like to visit this paradise island, you’ll need to take a flight from the main island of Okinawa. It will take you around 45 minutes to get there, but trust s when we say that you won’t regret it.
If you’re on the search for beautiful sandy beaches that won’t attract too much of a crowd – this island is the place to be.
Ishigaki Beach
Here’s another beautiful beach that you won’t want to miss during your stay in Japan! Located right in the middle of Okinawa, this beautiful beach is surrounded by a variety of resorts, hotels and restaurants – which makes it an ideal place to spend the duration of your holiday in Japan.
While swimming, snorkeling and diving is not permitted in this beach, you do have the option of enjoying a 30 minute glass bottom boat ride that will allow you to take a peak into Japan’s underwater world.
Tsukihama Beach
Tsukihama is another popular beach for tourists visiting Miyagi prefecture. This beach is about 20 minutes away from Sendai by car and is very close to the city of Tomari, so it’s a great option if you plan on staying in this area of Japan. It’s also a popular fishing spot!
Not only that but there are many shops and restaurants available to enjoy in the areai, too. If you’re in the mood to get active and check out some of the stunning views of the breathtaking scenery, there are also many hiking trails around the area that you can enjoy after sunbathing.
Okinawa Beaches
For thrill-seekers in search of a beach that’s going to be perfect for getting up some waves, Okinawa is the place to be. Okinawa is a group of islands off the southern coast of mainland Japan (see also, ‘How Many Islands Does Japan Have?‘). They are famous for their beaches and surfing spots.
However, they have much more to offer than just that. In fact, some people even consider Okinawa to be the most natural paradise in all of Japan! So if you ever find yourself in Okinawa, make sure to explore everything the island has to offer!
Shikoku Beach
Shikoku Beach is a small beach town in Ehime Prefecture. It’s one of the most picturesque locations in Ehime Prefecture and was made into a movie starring Japanese actor Masataka Kubota!
Shikari attracts tourists because of the scenic beauty of the location but is less visited than other tourist attractions in Ehime such as Takashima Island.
For this reason, if you’d like to visit a beach that isn’t going to feel too crowded and busy, Shikari Beach is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Zushi Beach
Last but certainly not least, Zushi Beach is located in Fukuoka Prefecture. This beach is home to coral reefs that attract divers from all over the world. Alongside diving, snorkeling is possible and is a fun activity for those who don’t dive.
On the flip side, if you’re simply in search of a sandy beach that’s going to allow you to kick back and relax, then Zushi beach is perfect for you, too. This beach consists of a long stretch of golden sand, so it’s just perfect for sunbathing!
Wrapping Up
Japan has an amazing variety of beaches to choose from! Whether you like long stretches of sand that you can chill out and relax on or you’re the type that likes to hit the waves and get their surf on – there’s sure to be a Japanese beach suited to your preferences.
Thank you for reading!
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
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