Summer is for the ocean! 8 Beautiful Beaches in Japan
It’s almost summer and Japan is not going to lose to overseas resort spots because there are many gorgeous beaches here! This time around, you can forget the ordinary because we’re introducing 8 beautiful beaches that are like paradise on earth!
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1. Jodogahama [Iwate]
Jodogahama in Iwate prefecture has been selected as one of Japan’s 88 best bathing spots as well as one of Japan’s 100 best beaches for swimming. It is a popular spot that is constantly bustling with people who go for rock climbing and sea bathing. The scenic area is an iconic spot on the Rikuchu coastline which is beautiful for its white rhyolite rock. Jodogahama (meaning paradise coast) was named in the Tenpo era by a monk named Reikyo who said it was “just like paradise”. With the exquisite contrast of the emerald green ocean, white rock and greenery, you can enjoy even more beautiful scenery along with the ocean.
HP: www.city.miyako.iwate.jp/kanko/jyoudogahama.html (Japanese Only; machine translation available)
Address: 32, Hitachi Hamachou, Miyako-shi, Iwate Prefecture (Google Map)
2. Suishohama [Fukui]
Known for its sparkling white sandy beach, Suishohama in Fukui Prefecture is a beach that is visited by many people who want to enjoy water sports, both from within and outside the prefecture. The ocean there is so beautiful that it got the name Suishohama (crystal beach) because the water has such a high degree of transparency. It’s popular as a beach for watching the sunset and at nights you can gaze at the starry sky.
HP: www.wakasamihama.jp/china/index.html (中文)
HP: www.wakasamihama.jp/umi/umi9.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Takenami, Mihama, Mikata District, Fukui (Google Map)
3. Yurigahama [Kagoshima]
Only appearing during the low tide from April through October is the “phantom beach” Yurigahama. The pure white sandy beach appears about 1.5 km off the Oganeku coast. Depending on the flow of water in the morning or the season, the shape changes by the day. There’s also a lucky charm where, if you can pick up as many star sand as your age then you will achieve happiness. The shimmering emerald green surface of the ocean extends before you and you can enjoy activities like snorkeling. You don’t even have to go overseas because paradise is right here.
HP: www.yorontou.info/FreeContent/Pub/Default.aspx?cNo=169 (Japanese Only)
Address: 16-5, Furusato, Yoron-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima (Google Map)
4. Hitotsuku Beach [Nagasaki]
Hitotsuku beach, situated on the West coast of Hirado city is so beautiful, you’ll never get tired of looking at it no matter how many times you see it. When you enter the water, you’ll be shocked by how clear the water is. If you go out 2 kilometers, the ocean there is connected to the East China Sea and right next to it is Neshiko Beach, one of Japan’s 88 best bathing spots. Also, because the beach faces West, it’s a great spot for a superb view of the setting sun. You can experience lush greenery and the emerald green ocean up close in a place that feels just like a beautiful foreign beach resort.
HP: www.nagasaki-tabinet.com.tw/index.aspx (中文)
HP: www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/guide/374/ (Japanese Only)
Address: Oishiwaki-cho, Hirado, Nagasaki Prefecture (Google Map)
5. Nishihama Beach [Hateruma-jima, Okinawa]
Nishihama Beach in Okinawa Prefecture’s Hateruma-jima boasts of being Japan’s top beach. “Hateruma blue” as it is called, is far too beautiful. The ocean water is so extraordinarily clear that if you go snorkeling, you’re sure to be moved by its beauty. It feels like being in a different world so that even if you’re just sprawled out on the beach, you’ll definitely feel as if you’re at a resort spot. This is a recommended beach where you must go at least once.
HP: info.yuntaku.com/details-99.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Naka, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture (Google Map)
6. Okinawa Prefecture, Kume-jima: Hatenohama
This beach is always high ranked in Okinawa’s popular beaches and the spot has been said to be one of the most beautiful spots in the Orient. It’s 7 km long and is actually made up of 3 beaches: Hatenohama, Nakanohama and Maenohama which are all connected and referred to as Hatenohama. The green ocean surface of this paradise on earth is so beautiful that it can change your entire outlook on life. It’s a beauty that definitely won’t lose to beaches overseas.
HP: www.kanko-kumejima.com/ (Japanese Only)
Address: Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa (Google Map)
7. Kouri-jima [Okinawa]
When you cross Kouri Bridge, a symbol of Kouri-jima, this beautiful beach extends to to your left and right. To the north is Thinu-hama beach. Here you can find “heart rocks” which are heart-shaped stones and the reason why Kouri-jima is also called “Love Island”. The view of the beach from Kouri Bridge is spectacular. The emerald green sea extends from both sides of the bridge and depending on the time and season, you can see various shades of blue. This is a popular spot that gets many visitors from outside Okinawa as well.
HP: kourijima.info/ (Japanese Only)
Address: Kouri-jima, Nakijinson, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Google Map)
8. Sesoko Beach [Okinawa]
This is an incredibly pretty beach where the shallows are a transparent blue and it’s said to be number 1 on Okinawa Main Island with its attraction being the extremely clear cobalt blue water. On the natural beach which is about 800m long, you can see many tropical fish like sapphire devil fish, making popular for snorkeling. It’s also a popular spot for gazing at the sunset so many lovers visit there. If you go to Okinawa, this is a beach you must visit.
HP: www.sesokobeach.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 5750 Sesoko, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Google Map)
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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