Top beaches in Japan — 11 Japan best beaches & most beautiful beaches in Japan

October 23, 2023

Japan, while not especially large, is surprisingly varied regarding weather. In the fall, radiant foliage covers everywhere. Blankets of white snow cover the landscape and hot springs in winter. The stunning sights in spring are the blooming cherry blossom trees. How about summer? Summer in Japan (June to August) can be hot and humid but don’t worry because of stunning beaches here. So, which are the most beautiful and beaches to visit in Japan? Let’s check out our suggested 11 top beaches in Japan including Japan best beaches and most beautiful beaches in Japan as follows!

So, when planning a trip to Japan, beaches are your ideal trip. Do not miss the famous beaches hereunder!

Emerald Beach (# most beautiful beaches in japan)

Location: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-Gun, Okinawa

Emerald Beach has beautiful white sand and a spectacular view of the cobalt-blue ocean. It is a beach in the lagoon, which is rare in Okinawa, for maintenance in consideration for safety and comfort. While the kids entertain themselves with endless beach activities, parents can head to the sunbathing section to relax.

Emerald is always highly appreciated for its natural beauty and the quality of tourism services. Looking at the entire sea from sitting on the shore, you will see a romantic scene. Not only that, but this beach also has other attractions that are very suitable for taking photos. Therefore, do not miss this beach on your journey to Japan.

In addition, this is a tourist place to has been exploited for a long time, hence the quality of service is very good. Water activities such as swimming and scuba diving always attract visitors. Near the beach area, there is also a Churaumi Aquarium. Visitors will have the opportunity to see marine species typical of this sea area with a true feeling like they are walking on the ocean floor.

Shirahama Beach (# japan best beaches)

Location: Shimoda-Shi, Shizuoka-ken

Shirahama Beach is an 800-meter-long beach and one of Izu’s most famous and popular attractions. It can be said that people who love water sports should come here. Shirahama is considered a paradise for swimming or surfing.

The naturally heated outdoor rock pools, known as Rotenburo, face the big blue of the Pacific and bathers can feel the salty spray of the ocean as waves crash onto the rocks | top beaches in japan

Splendid natural beauty, hot spring onsen resorts, and a white beach are some attractions at Shirahama. In addition, visitors can visit the Shirahama Jinja area with many hot springs. The official swimming season begins in mid-July and lasts through August. However, with good weather conditions, the swimming season can start as early as late May and remain pleasant through September.

Ozuna Beach (# top beaches in japan)

Location: Ozuna, Asakawa, Kaiyo-cho, Kaifu-gun

This beach is located along the east coast of Shikoku Island. Among the interesting activities on the beach, the Awa Odori festival, a traditional Japanese festival with a history of more than 400 years, is mentioned initially. You can participate in an extremely vibrant and passionate atmosphere for dancing. This is a highlight activity for visiting Ozuna Kaisui Yokujo Beach.

Awa Odori festival | top beaches in japan

In addition, surfing is very popular, then when you come here you will see its origin. You can learn how to surf and buy specialized surfing outfits at the beach.

Another interesting thing is the Sea Turtle Museum “Caretta”. In addition, right on the beach, you can also see turtles coming ashore to lay eggs from May to August.

Kikugahama Beach

Location: Yamaguchi, Hagi, Horiuchi

Located just a short bike ride from the center of Hagi, Kikugahama Beach is lined with gnarled pine trees, its clean sands extending into calm waters. Many tourists come here to sunbathe and relax on this sandy beach.

The ideal time to travel to explore Kikugahama Beach is July and August. Currently, the weather here is quite hot, so a trip to the beach to relax and get away from the real summer sun is great. At the west of Kikugahama Beach, there is a ruined Hagi castle.

A station with such a dream-like location is Tainohama Station in Tokushima Prefecture | most beautiful beaches in japan

Kikugahama beach is also famous for its fabulous sunsets, where in the late evening the setting sun turns the sky a stunning shade of red.

Beaches on Amami Oshima Island

Location: Kagoshima-ken

Amami Oshima is in the East China Sea between Kyushu and Okinawa. Its climate is like balmy Okinawa’s, and its white beaches, beautiful coral reefs, and crystal-clear sea make it one of Japan’s most popular snorkeling and scuba-diving retreats and has beaches in the subtropical region of Japan.

Discover the Underwater Wonders of Amami Oshima through Snorkelling | most beautiful beaches in japan

Therefore, the diverse ecosystem is also an attractive point of the beach. White sand and calm waters are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and kayaking activities are ready for visitors.

Jodogahama Beach

Location: Hitachihamacho, Iwate

Jodogahama Beach, a center of Sanriku Reconstruction (Fukko) National Park, is a scenic spot representing Miyako City. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery here by sightseeing boat. Jodogahama Beach is a popular swimming spot in the summer but can be enjoyed throughout the year. There, visitors can admire the beautiful sunrise that changes with each season.

Jodogahama Beach means “Pure Land Beach” is a beautiful beach just outside of central Miyako City in Iwate Prefecture. It is one of the more famous tourist sites along the Sanriku Coast and part of the Sanriku Recovery National Park.

The Miyako Jodogahama Boat Cruise uses a larger sightseeing ship that offers a 40-minute-long cruise. The ship visits interesting rock formations such as the towering Candle Rock and a large blowhole.

Visitors can also feed the seagulls flying behind the boat. A visit to Miyako City has become convenient thanks to the opening of the regular Miyako-Muroran ferry service on June 22, 2018, and train service on the Sanriku Railway Rias Line will also depart as scheduled on March 23, 2019. The Sanriku Railway runs along the Sanriku coastline, famous for its unique, seasonal services, such as the Kotatsu Train, which features kotatsu heated seats with built-in under-table heaters, and the Zashiki Train, which has carriages with tatami seats.

Besides large sightseeing boats, visitors can also visit the caves in Jodogahama Bay on a small boat called Sappa. Because it extends to Hachinohe city in Aomori Prefecture, this cave is called Hachinohe-ana. Inside the cave is a mysterious and beautiful scene like a fairyland.

Zushi Beach

Location: Jisaki 2, Shinjuku, Zushi City, Kanagawa

Zushi Beach is around 45 km from Tokyo and takes from Tokyo Station more than one hour with easy access. This is a beach with a unique attraction for tourists. The waters at the beach are relatively shallow and the waves are small and gentle, so the beach is a great place for kids and beginner swimmers.

For those of you who want to experience a Japanese beach that is easy to reach from Tokyo, Zushi is the beach | most beautiful beaches in japan

On nice days, you can gaze at beach and mountain views with Enoshima or Mount Fuji. Zushi Beach is a stunning destination with beautiful natural scenery.

You can also consider visiting Ofuna Kanagawa Prefectural Botanical Garden and Tateishi Park, two beloved tourist destinations. Many visitors choose Zushi Beach as a place to experience the pure natural beauty of Mount Takao and Oedo Onsen Monogatari Hot Spring Park. These amazing locations are only about 40 km from Zushi Beach.

Nishikinohama Beach

Location: Sawa, Kaizuka, Osaka

Nishiki in the phrase Nishikinohama Beach refers to the green color of the pine forest along the beach and the white color of the sandy beach stretching about 1km. The picturesque beach and green park were selected as one of the top 100 sandy beaches with green pines in Japan.

You can also enjoy a BBQ at the rental facilities along the coastal green area, which is also an attractive point of this beach.

Jinoshima Beach

Location: Wakayama Arida-shi Hatsushimacho Chisaki

This swimming beach is located on an uninhabited island in the Kii Channel. The island can be reached via a ferry which leaves from Hatsushima Fishing Port. The beach is 500 meters long and its waters are pure. From Wakayama Station to Hatsushima Station is about 30 minutes so traveling is quite easy.

This is a shallow and large sea with a wide sandy beach, therefore you will feel as if you are going to the South Sea. You can experience snorkeling in the transparent and blue sea.

Nishibama Beach on Aka Island

Location: Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa-ken

Head to the northeast coast of Aka Island, where you will find the one-kilometer stretch of sand that is Nishibama Beach. With great snorkeling for novices and experienced divers alike, it is the perfect way to spend a few hours in paradise. The long stretch of pure white sand leads into a clear blue sea that is gentle and shallow, making it suitable for young children. For the dedicated diver, there is plenty to explore farther from the coast, including wonderful coral and undersea life.

The ocean stretches as far as the eye can see, from your spot on pristine, white sands backed by dense foliage | most beautiful beaches in japan

Explore an underwater world with fun marine activities | most beautiful beaches in japan

However, suppose you travel to Okinawa Japan to Nishibama during the peak summer season (according to the Japanese calendar from June to September). In that case, you swim in a cramped situation to move to the other side of Aka Island. This is a great one for a peaceful getaway as it’s often empty and is exceptional for snorkeling and hiking for epic views.

Isshiki Beach

Location: 1083 Horiuchi, Hayama, Miura District, Kanagawa

The torii gate on the rocky edge of the grassy isthmus

Isshiki Beach in Hayama offers a sense of calmness, and serenity and has pure blue water to be selected as one of the “88 most beautiful beaches in Japan”. Sangaokayama Mountain and the royal villa area surround this place. This is an ideal place for those who intend to rest after tiring working days or long trips. This is a very beautiful place for tourists to take photos.

Children love to build sand castles at Isshiki Beach

The beach here is quite quiet, and the sunset scenery is very beautiful, giving visitors a very peaceful feeling. Near the beach, there is also the modern art museum of Kanagawa Prefecture, which visitors can visit to learn more about the history and culture of the country and its people. This location is only far from 1.5 hours away from Tokyo Station.

These are the best beautiful beaches in Japan. The dreamy beaches, the seas, and the ocean surrounding the Japanese archipelago are never far away. Endless blue sea and white sand beaches glitter in the sunlight. You go out for a beach day with friends, sunbathing all day, enjoying the beach. Sum up, let’s discover breathtaking landscapes, unique fauna and flora, and stretches of white sand lost in clear turquoise water, do not miss the Japanese beaches!

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