32 Stunning Beaches Across Japan

This is a scenic spot representative of Sanriku Fukko National Park. It is said that the name comes from the monk Reikyo, who exclaimed during the Tenpo era (1830-1844) that this place was "just like paradise."

The appearance of the jagged, saw-toothed rhyolite rocks—eroded by waves and weathering—extending into the sea, combined with the contrast of the green pine trees, white rocks, and blue ocean, is truly a magnificent sight. The calm bay is one of Japan's leading swimming beaches and has been selected as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches by the Ministry of the Environment.

Kamayahama Beach is popular as one of the cleanest swimming beaches in Akita Prefecture. It has been selected as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment and is also known as "Sunset Beach Kamayahama" due to its magnificent sunsets.
Its beautiful scenery, with the World Heritage site of Shirakami-Sanchi to the north and the Oga Peninsula National Park to the south, is also a major attraction.

Kodanohama Beach is located on the eastern shore of Oshima Island in Kesennuma Bay. It features a beautiful semi-circular-shaped sandy beach and is a shallow swimming beach with calm waves.
A park is located directly in front of the beach, and beach shacks and showers are fully equipped. It has also been specially selected as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches by the Ministry of the Environment, ranking second nationwide.

Oarai Sun Beach in Ibaraki is a beautiful coast with shallow, clear waters and a wide, expansive beach. As Japan's first accessible beach, it offers free rental of amphibious wheelchairs, dedicated parking, and changing rooms. This makes it a popular spot for families with children, as everyone can safely enjoy swimming. The wide sandy beach also provides ample space for beach volleyball and playing in the sand, which is another appealing feature!

In recent years, it has also gained attention as a reflection beach. Because the beach is so shallow, during the transition from high tide to low tide, the water surface reflects people and the sky, allowing you to take magical, dreamlike photographs.

Located in the northern part of Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ishihama Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline known for the stunning contrast between its green pine groves and the white sand. It has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 White Sand and Green Pine Beaches. The area is also famous as a long-standing nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles.

In addition to free public showers, changing rooms, and restrooms, there is also a natural hot spring facility nearby for day trips. These amenities make it a well-equipped beach.

Moriya Beach in Chiba Prefecture is a stunning beach, renowned for its exceptionally clear waters. It has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches and one of Japan's 100 Beaches and Coasts. Approximately 170 meters (558 feet) offshore from the coast, you'll find Watashima Island, notable for its prominent red torii gate. The coastline is shaped like a cove, and the waves are gentle.

Maehama Coast is located near Kozushima Port, the island's main gateway, and is within walking distance from local guesthouses. Its beautiful white sands stretch for approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), making it perfect for swimming. Situated on the west side of the island, it's also an ideal spot to watch the sunset over the horizon. This stunning beach is one of Tokyo's best, popular not only with families with children but also with scuba divers and anglers.

Shikine Island, surrounded by cobalt blue waters, is located approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles) south of Tokyo and can be reached in about 3 hours by high-speed ferry. Tomari Beach, just a 5-minute walk from Nobushi Port, the island's gateway, is famous for its beautiful fan-shaped coastline and is renowned as a swimming beach with white sands.

It has been selected as one of Japan's Top 88 Swimming Beaches, and its high water transparency and calm waves make it ideal for diving.

Ogiike Pond is a natural turquoise-blue pool stretching across a pure white sandy beach. It is located on Minamijima Island, southwest of Chichijima Island, and boasts numerous valuable geological and biological features.

*To protect the natural environment, please join a guided tour from Chichijima Island to land on the island.
*Typically, entry to the island is prohibited during winter (around November to February), excluding the New Year holidays.

Futatsugame Beach is said to have gotten its name from the appearance of two turtles crouching (Futatsugame translates to two turtles). The islands known as Okinoshima and Isonoshima are connected to the mainland at low tide but become separate islands when the tide comes in, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing scenery.

The ocean water here boasts the best clarity in Sado. It has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches and awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

Hirizo Beach has gained popularity in recent years, praised for its beauty as being like Cebu Island. With its high water clarity and untouched natural environment, it is truly a spectacular beach. The beach is blocked by cliffs, and the currents are strong, so the only way to reach it is by ferry from Nakagi, which adds to its allure as a hidden gem. Advanced snorkelers can explore the underwater world, while young children can enjoy playing in the tide pools.

Among the many beautiful coastlines scattered throughout Izu, Shirahama Coast is famous for its stunning white sand. During the season, it bustles with many beachgoers. We recommend the view from Miharashi Hiroba (Observation Plaza), located along National Route 135 on the south side of the beach. This is a spectacular spot where you can clearly see the high transparency of Shirahama's ocean water, and many visitors are amazed by this view. It is also recommended as a family-friendly beach that is easily accessible from the metropolitan area.

Irita Beach (Iritahama Beach) is a small, private-feeling stretch of sand, approximately 400 meters (1,312 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) wide. The beautiful contrast between the blue ocean and white sand, along with the rows of sago palms along the coast, creates a tropical atmosphere, making it famous as a filming location for commercials, TV shows, and movies. The ocean water is astonishingly clear, having received the highest AA ranking in the Ministry of the Environment's water quality survey. It is said that the beach shines white in the morning and becomes its bluest around 1:00 PM.

Atashika Beach is popular for its fine white sand and shallow waters, attracting many beachgoers every year. With its beautiful natural surroundings and colorful tents, it's perfect for enjoying outdoor life, offering marine sports like sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. It has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches by the Ministry of the Environment.

This approximately 8-kilometer (5-mile) long beach stretches from Chirihama to Imahama in Hodatsushimizu Town. Its fine sand, which becomes saturated with seawater, forms a surface like a paved road, allowing for a unique drive along the waterline—the only one of its kind in Japan and a rare experience worldwide. The exhilarating feeling of driving through the magnificent natural scenery of Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park is truly exceptional. A drive while watching the sunset over the Sea of Japan is also romantic and highly recommended.

Suishohama Beach is located in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. It has been selected as one of Japan's Top 88 Swimming Beaches, and its deep blue sea, white sand, and waves that turn emerald green as they break are overwhelmingly beautiful, living up to its name, which means "crystal beach." The sparkling sand makes a squeaking sound with every step and is a fine powder that easily brushes off. From early morning, people come to enjoy marine sports such as windsurfing.

Mizushima Island is a small, uninhabited island, approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) long, floating off the tip of the Tsuruga Peninsula, boasting a beautiful, highly transparent blue sea and shallow white sands. You can only visit the island for about two months during the swimming season, from early July to late August. The ferries are most crowded between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, so if you want to fully enjoy Mizushima Island, we recommend taking the first ferry of the morning. Also, since there are no beach shacks or shops on the island, please bring your own food and drinks.

At Takenohama Beach, white sand stretches for approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). Facing the Sea of Japan, it is one of the most scenic spots on the San'in Coast, offering views of the Nekozaki Peninsula to the west. With its shallow, clear waters, it's popular with both families and couples.

This beautiful beach has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches and Top 100 Beaches and Coasts. Its water quality has previously been rated AA, the highest possible rank.

Shirarahama Beach, a spacious white sand beach stretching approximately 620 meters (2,034 feet), is said to be the origin of the Shirahama place name. It is one of Kansai's most popular beaches and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches. During the season, colorful beach umbrellas and palm leaves create a tropical atmosphere. There is also a paid open-air bath on the beach where swimsuits are permitted.

Uradome Coast is located within San'inkaigan National Park, an internationally recognized scenic spot designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The shallow, cove-shaped Uradome Beach features a continuous stretch of white sand, extending for approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles). Some areas also have rocky shores, where families can enjoy exploring tide pools.

Having previously received the highest AA ranking in water quality surveys by the Ministry of the Environment, snorkeling under Uradome Beach's clear underwater scenery is a highly recommended activity.

Located on the Shimane Peninsula, this beach is a beautiful spot featuring blue water and white sand. Surrounded by mountains, it is a quiet beach frequented by locals. You can relax in a calm atmosphere that feels just like a private beach, and it is also a great spot for snorkeling.

Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, extending over the marine blue sea, is one of the premier scenic spots on the Kita-Nagato Coast. The bridge has a total length of approximately 1,780 meters (1.1 miles) and is one of Japan's longest toll-free bridges. It is a spectacular spot reminiscent of Okinawa's famous Kaichu Road—a place you will definitely want to drive across at least once. Beaches such as White Beach Shimado and Shiokaze Cobalt Blue Beach are scattered around the area, allowing you to enjoy swimming while gazing up at Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge.

Located within Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Tainohama Beach boasts a white sand shoreline approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) long and some of the best water quality in Western Japan. During the swimming season, from early July to mid-August, JR Tainohama Station will be temporarily operating. The beach, located just about three steps from the station, is one of its many charms. This beach has also been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches and is known for the beautiful sunrise that can be seen over the coastline.

This island, with a circumference of approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), is renowned for its beautiful sea, often compared to Lampedusa Island in Italy. The water boasts such exceptional clarity that boats appear to be floating in mid-air. Several designated swimming areas are provided, allowing you to enjoy swimming within these zones (Please do not go outside the swimming buoys, as there are areas with strong water currents and boat routes).

Additionally, Kashiwajima Island is home to approximately 1,000 species of fish, making it a fantastic spot to enjoy activities like diving and snorkeling.

Located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Nagasaki and about a 90-minute journey from Nagasaki Port is Fukue Island, part of the Goto Islands. Takahama Beach, situated in the Miiraku area—which once flourished as a port of call for the Japanese envoys to Tang Dynasty China—is surrounded on three sides by green mountains and is famous for its silvery-white sand and exceptionally clear blue water. The beach is home to wild clusters of hamayu (crinum lilies) and sakishimafuyo (hibiscus), and the view from the nearby Gyoran Kannon Observatory is absolutely breathtaking.

It is one of Japan's premier sandy beaches, recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Beaches and Coasts, Top 88 Swimming Beaches in Japan, and 100 Best Swimming Beaches.

Hirado Island is located at the northwestern tip of Kyushu's mainland. Hitotsuku Beach is about a 40-minute drive from Hirado Ohashi Bridge. Its shallow, transparent waters are a beautiful cobalt blue, and with fewer crowds, you can enjoy a resort-like feeling as if you have nature all to yourself. At sunset, the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water and sand, creating a spectacular view.

Right next to Hitotsuku Beach, you'll find Neshiko Beach, which also offers stunning ocean views. Be sure to enjoy the scenery at both locations.

This beach has been selected as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan. It features a fine, white sandy beach stretching for approximately 600 meters (1,969 feet). The waters are shallow and calm, making it a popular spot for many swimmers in the summer.

It is adjacent to Tsutsukihama Fureai Hiroba, a recreational area with excellent facilities such as a barbecue space, a campsite, and tennis courts, allowing you to enjoy activities beyond just swimming in the sea.

Known as Miyazaki's premier swimming beach, Aoshima Beach is bustling with marine sports enthusiasts enjoying surfing, bodyboarding, and boat sailing. The adjacent Aoshima Beach Park features stylish shops and cafes that open for a limited time each year, consistently drawing crowds. To the right of the swimming beach lies Aoshima Island, designated as a National Natural Monument, surrounded by the unique rock formations known as Oni no Sentakuita (Devil's Washboard).

Shimoaso Beach, located in the heart of the Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park, is the only beach in Kyushu selected as a "Special Selection" in Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches. The expansive white sand and Washingtonia palms lining the shore enhance its tropical ambiance.

Nearby, you'll find a river pool and a camping zone, and it's also adjacent to Roadside Station Kitaura, allowing you to enjoy a variety of recreational activities and sightseeing.

Nagata Inakahama Beach boasts the highest number of loggerhead sea turtle landings in Japan and one of the highest in the world. This white sand beach, stretching for approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), is formed by weathered granite carried by the Nagata River from Okudake on Yakushima Island. From May to July, it is the sea turtle nesting season.

For conservation purposes, access to the beach may be restricted at certain times, and reservations are required for sea turtle observation. Please check these rules in advance before your visit.

Okaneku Coast is Yoron Island's largest beach, featuring white sand stretching for approximately 2 kilometers (1.24 miles). About 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) offshore, Yurigahama mysteriously appears during the low tide during the spring and summer months. The number of sandbars that emerge varies, with as many as seven appearing in the past. This stunning beach, reminiscent of Hawaii's sandbars, is also famous for its star-shaped sand. Legend has it that picking up star sand equivalent to your age will bring you happiness.

This beach is located near Amami Airport. Its beautiful white sands and the mystical ocean, which transitions from emerald green to blue, are so stunning that it's often called "Blue Angel." The areas surrounded by rocks have calm waves, making them ideal for snorkeling and family swimming (However, please be aware of the possibility of being carried offshore by rip currents, and rough waves may occur outside the rocky areas).