Easy Access from Tokyo! 7 Selected Relatively Unknown Out-of-the-Way Beautiful Beaches on Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka

What and where is the Izu Peninsula?

The Izu Peninsula is the only place on Honshu (Japan's main island stretching from Aomori in the north to Yamaguchi in the west, and is home to major metropolitan cities like Tokyo and Osaka) that is located on the Philippine Sea Plate. It is a part of a group of submarine volcanoes that used to be located several hundred kilometers to the south of Honshu. Through repeated volcanic activity, as the plates moved north they collided into Honshu, and it is said that the current shape of the peninsula was formed about 600,000 years ago.

Even now, the volcanic activity and crustal movement continues to occur, and because of that a fascinating and unique shaped peninsula is being made. The peninsula itself was heaved upwards when it collided into Honshu, therefore it is a rare and unusual place where you can observe the beautiful coastline and powerful lava land forms of the submarine volcanic group directly, which are normally submerged under the sea.

There are many beaches that have the highest rank of AA by the water quality survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment, and many people come here to enjoy marine sports and other activities each year. Here are 7 highly recommended spots from the many beaches on the peninsula.

1. Hirizo Beach [Minami-Izu]

This beach is located on the border between Cape Irozaki which is the southernmost spot on the Izu Peninsula and the port town of Nakagi. It prides itself on its beautiful scenery and its outstanding crystal clear water. This beach is on the tip of the peninsula and is surrounded by steep cliffs and jagged land forms, so the only way to get here is by ferry.

This area is designated as a national park, so you can experience untouched pristine nature. The powerful Kuroshio Current brings many small and large tropical migratory fish to the crystal clear waters, making it a great spot to snorkel.

Please be aware there are no public facilities like restrooms and showers, and that the only way back to Nakagi is by ferry (you can go back and forth as many times as you desire in one day).

[Information about Hirizo Beach]

Beach Season: Scheduled for July 2nd to September 30th, 2017

Ferry Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (until 4 PM in September)/Fees: Adults (Junior high school students and above) 1,500 yen, Children (4 years old to 6th graders) 500 yen

Access: Get off at Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line and then take the Tokai Bus for about 50 minutes and get off at Nakagi. It is a 5 minute ferry ride from Nakagi Port.

Address: Nakagi, Minami izu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: minami-izu.jp/entry.html?id=11366 (Japanese only)

2. Kujuppama Beach [Shimoda]  

This beach is known as a well-secluded spot, and it neighbors the Suzaki Imperial Villa. It is surrounded by an abundance of nature, even though it is quite small in scale, so it is especially recommended for those people who want to relax and have privacy.

The beautiful, crystal clear waters are ranked AA by the water quality survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment. Both sides of the beach have rocky cliffs, and you can enjoy spending a wonderful time on the seashore and snorkeling here.

[Information about Kujuppama Beach]

Beach Season: July 16th to August 21st (2016 schedule)

Access: Get off at Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line and take the "Tsumekizaki-Iki" Tokai Bus from the No.10 bus stop for about 15 minutes and alight at Tsumekizaki Green Area-Mae. It is a 3 minute walk from there.

Address: Suzaki, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: shimoda-city.com/#we-page-entry?spot=124623&type=spot&cat=11053&theme=theme-6

HP: shimoda-city.info/shimoda/sea/kujuppama.html (Japanese)

3. Shirahama Ohama Beach [Shimoda]

This is the largest, quintessential Izu beach. It stretches about 770 meters and is covered with beautiful white sand and the contrasting intense blue waters create a breathtakingly gorgeous scenery.

There are no seaside resting facilities set up on the beach, but there is a rental shop for parasols and summer beds, etc., as well as restaurants on a neighboring national route. Please visit Ogasaki Wing Lookouts, from where you can get an incredible panoramic view of the Shirahama coastline, which is about 3.5 kilometers north on the national road.

[Information about Shirahama Ohama Beach]

Beach Season: July 16th to August 28th (2016 Schedule)

Access: Get off at Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line and take the "Shirahama-Iki" Tokai Bus at the No. 9 bus stop for about 15 minutes and alight at Resupo Shirahama. It is a very short walk from there.

Address:  Shirahama, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: shimoda-city.com/#we-page-entry?spot=124625&type=spot&cat=11053&theme=theme-6

HP: shimoda-city.info/shimoda/sea/shirahamaoohama.html (Japanese)

4. Tagosehama Beach Resort [Nishi-Izu]

It goes without saying that the water quality is high, and the sight of the beautiful sunsets at this out-of-the-way spot make this beach very popular among all the other beaches in Nishi-Izu. This rocky beach creates a private-like atmosphere because it is small. The waves are gentle and calm because of its bay-like shape, and it is not very deep, so even children can swim without any worry.

You can swim to Sonno Island which is uninhabited and is 100 meters away from the seashore. There is an excellent transparency to the water, so you can enjoy marine sports like both snorkeling and diving.

[Information about Tagosehama Beach Resort]

Beach Season: July 15th to August 20th, 2017

Access: Get off at Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line and take the "Tagokami-Iki" Tokai Bus at the No. 5 bus stop for about 65 minutes and get off at Tago, and it is a 15 minute walk from there.

Address:  Tago, Nishi izu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: town.nishiizu.shizuoka.jp/kakuka/kankou/kankou/beach/tagosehama.html (Japanese only)

5. Nagahama Beach Resort [Atami]

This man-made beach opened in 2004 and is about 10 minutes by car from Atami or a 10 minute walk from Izu-Taga Station on the JR Ito Line.

The spacious beach has very gentle waves and is maintained extremely well. They also provide places like a lawn playground and a parking lot, therefore, it is highly recommended for families. Inside the recreation area that opened in 2010, there is a foot bath so you can soothe your fatigue away while looking out at the panoramic view of Sagami Bay.

[Information about Nagahama Beach Resort]

Beach Season: July 8th to August 27th, 2017

Access: Get off at Izu-Taga Station on the JR Ito Line and it is a 10 minute walk from there.

Address:  Shimotaga, Atami-shi, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: izutaga.jp/menu.php?obj=153&now=1074 (Japanese only)

6. Ose Beach [Numazu]

This popular beach is located in the western part of the Izu Peninsula at Osezaki Cape which reaches out 800 meters into Suruga Bay.  It prides itself on the fact that it has Japan's best water quality and that it was also chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as a one of Japan's Best 100 Beaches. It is also famous for its beautiful scenic spot where you can enjoy the view of Mount Fuji across the ocean.

It is said that more than 700 kinds of marine species live in this calm, beautiful transparent water. The sea is tranquil and shallow and is known as a diving spot where divers can enjoy themselves throughout the entire year.

[Information about Ose Beach]

Beach Season: July 15th to August 20th, 2017

Access: Get off at Numazu Station on the JR Tokaido Line/Gotemba Line and take the "Ose-Iki" Tokai Bus at the No. 8 bus stop for about 80 minutes and get off at Ose misaki, and it is a short walk from there.

Address:  Nishiura enashi, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka (Google Map)

HP: www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp/kankou/asobu/kaisuiyoku/ose/ (Japanese only; automatic translation available)

7. Futo Beach [Nishi-Izu]

The Futo Coast is a small bay in between Dogashima and Tago, and has calm waves and magnificent scenery. The water is extremely clear and it is also a diving spot.

Inside the caves on the right side of the coast, you can see a lot of tropical fish like neon damselfish, and it is a popular snorkeling spot. On the south side of the coast, the waves are big and the water is deep, so it is not suitable for swimming. Instead, you can enjoy the impressive magnificent scenery of the oddly shaped rock formations soaring from the ocean into the sky.

[Information about Futo Beach]

Beach Season: Throughout the year (They set up life guard towers from July 15th to August 20th, 2017.)

Access: Get off at Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line and take the "Tagokami-Iki" Tokai Bus at the No. 5 bus stop for about 60 minutes and get off at Futo, and it is a 10 minute walk from there.

Address: Futo, Nishi izu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka (Google Map) 

HP: nishiizu-kankou.com/playing/2016/06/post_11.php (Japanese only)

In Izu Peninsula, which is only about 3 hours from Tokyo, there are many beaches which have the highest AA rank for water quality and offer many things to do. Wouldn't you enjoy swimming and/or snorkeling this summer in the ocean at Izu which prides itself on having the best and cleanest water?