As sad as it is to admit this fact, despite the fact that Japan has truly wonderful beaches, they remain not adequately appreciated by the world community. Of course, Japan is far from the Maldives or Hawaii. But those who know where to go will definitely see and find ideal (without exaggeration!) places for themselves where they can sunbathe, splash in the water, and dive (with a snorkel or scuba diving, here everyone chooses for themselves), or just relax and finally feel like you're on vacation.
Without further ado, let's move on to the main thing - today we will introduce you to some beaches that are most loved by those who have already scouted out the situation in battle, so to speak. And if you decide to go on your summer vacation to Japan, do not be lazy and visit these places, they are undoubtedly worth it.
So, here they are, the unfairly underrated beaches of Japan.
Okinawa
No discussion of Japanese beaches is complete until it includes a mention of Okinawa, the chain of small islands that form Japan's southernmost prefecture. There is a very common tendency to compare these islands and Hawaii. The Okinawa archipelago is a real pearl of the sea, a treasure of unprecedented beauty, and it is also easy to get there by a fairly quick, and most importantly inexpensive, domestic flight from the main part of the country.
Ishigaki Island
Located in the southern Yaeyama island group of Okinawa Prefecture, Ishigaki is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Japan. It has earned such a resounding reputation thanks to its stunning views, which will take your breath away, and the dazzling white sand for which Kabira Bay is famous. Much to the regret of tourists and the Japanese themselves, you cannot swim there; and for swimming and sunbathing, you can go to Yonehara Beach.
Japan climate: weather
Due to the fact that Japan consists of more than six thousand islands, stretching for more than three thousand kilometers from south to north, the climate of Japan has some differences in different areas of the country. For example, the island of Honshu, the largest of the Japanese islands, is located in a warm-temperate climate region, and the island of Okinawa, popular among lovers of quality beach holidays, is located in a subtropical climate.
Summer in Japan is humid and very stuffy. The long rains of early summer are replaced by numerous typhoons towards the end. In winter, sub-zero temperatures prevail throughout the country and snow falls. The entire country is characterized by high rainfall throughout the year. In autumn, Japan's weather is warm until October - mid-November.
This is exactly the best time to visit the country. And if you visit Japan in the spring, around mid-March, you can admire the cherry blossoms.
Iriomote Island
Next to Ishigaki is the island of Iriomote, barely inhabited and covered with real impassable jungle and mangroves. Iriomote is home to some of the island's rarest wild cats, but you'll need all your luck to spot one! Anyone lucky enough to visit this island is highly recommended to take an ox ride on the beach at low tide from Yubu Island towards Hoshizuna Beach - this beach has star-shaped grains of sand, and you will certainly hardly see this anywhere else!
Perfect for families with children
The Japanese have come up with such a huge amount of entertainment for children that you want to go back to childhood. The calmest and most popular of these entertainments are water parks, which are located not only near the sea, but also in many cities. The dolphinarium is very popular.
Japan is not a cheap country. But a seaside holiday in Japan can be truly delightful. If you can’t visit Japan in winter to combine a sea and ski holiday, don’t be upset. Any time is good in Japan.
Zamami Island
And if you climb even further north, right up to the island group of Kerama (this is still part of the Okinawa archipelago), then Zamami Island will appear in all the glory of a tropical paradise, and this despite the fact that it is just a stone's throw from the main island of Okinawa - two hours by ferry, if more precisely. Furuzamami and Ama beaches are equally good no matter which one you choose; and you won’t regret if you visit a couple of observation platforms, which offer unforgettable views of the island and the ocean.
Kumejima Island
Ninety kilometers west of the main island of Okinawa is Kumejima Island, part of the Okinawan Soto island group. On Kumejima there is perhaps the most famous and beautiful beach - Hatenohama. Seven kilometers of sparkling clean white sand, which can be reached via a special local route (20 minutes by boat), will not leave anyone indifferent.
Kyushu
Japan Tourism
Tourism in Japan is quite developed and has long been famous for its hospitality. This country offers tourists comfortable hotels to suit every taste. They are divided into two main groups - those created according to the European type and traditional Japanese ryokans.
In big cities you will find hotels of famous world chains - Hilton, Marriott and others. There are also equally fashionable hotels owned by the Japanese. And since Japan is a country of modern technologies, innovative developments have not spared such an industry as the hotel business.
Yakushima Island
Yakushima is a picturesque island off the coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and is entirely covered in pristine rainforests containing some of the oldest trees in the entire world. And for any fan of the anime genre, it will be useful to know that it was the island of Yakushima that was the place of inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki when he created his masterpiece - Princess Mononoke. The island is also the main habitat of large-headed sea turtles, and if you find yourself there at the right time of their breeding season, you may well witness how new mothers bury their eggs in the sand, or even how little turtles are born!
Transport Japan
Transport in Japan is one of the most advanced in the world. Railways make it possible to get to almost anywhere in the country. In addition, the highway system is as well developed as the country's air transport. In cities, transport links are provided by buses and taxis (24 hours a day); Ferries connect Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe with the main ports of Hokkaido and Kyushu. Moreover, 2 Japanese (Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways) provide international transportation services. Japan also hosts flights from foreign airlines that fly to almost every corner of the planet.
Ibusuki
Japan is well known for its high seismic activity, which has given rise to one of the most popular holiday pastimes - bathing in natural hot volcanic springs. So at Ibusuki Beach you will have a great opportunity to choose how you like to beat the heat, and you may still prefer to bury yourself from your ears to your toes in the hot sand!
Shikoku
Features of relaxation on Japanese beaches
It is not customary for men to wear so-called slips (triangular-shaped swimming trunks); in general, the Japanese prefer rather long Bermuda shorts (to the knees). This applies to both boys and adult men. Women's swimsuits are also quite conservative.
Relaxing on the beach for the Japanese is more like walks along the shore, barbecues, and active leisure. But swimming in the sea is more like “riding the waves.” The majority of swimmers use various inflatable rings, toys, mattresses, and surfboards. Although most men are good swimmers.
Water games are also popular, and among men - surfing. It does not occur to law-abiding Japanese to swim beyond the buoys or to swim after the closing of the swimming season was announced on local television.
Tanning among the Japanese is not a sign of beauty, so they relax on the beach under umbrellas and generally do not sunbathe on purpose.
Tottori Sand Dunes
The southwest of Japan's main island boasts one of the most breathtaking and impressive beach landscapes - the Tottori Sand Dunes. They are scattered along sixteen kilometers of coastline and reach fifty meters in height above sea level. There you can even take a camel or horse and feel like a caravan driver wandering through the dunes, or try sandboarding and paragliding. And for real adventure seekers, there is the opportunity to visit the Sand Museum, where your imagination will be blown away by the very possibility of creating something so large-scale from sand alone.
What do you need to know before visiting Japan?
First of all, this country is full of traditions. Any tourist will find what he likes most. Some come with great pleasure to see factories, factories, and other attributes of the modern world. It is no secret that Japan has high-quality household appliances, which are produced in the country, but also many medical institutions that have repeatedly glorified Japan throughout the world.
Other tourists come to combine business with pleasure and excitement. In Japan, a beach holiday goes well with a rich tourist holiday. The Japanese highly respect their traditions, so they carefully preserve ancient temples, ancient places with preserved sights.
Some places in the land of the rising sun have retained their original appearance to this day, and allow you to feel like a real warrior. In addition, Japan combines several types of cultures.
As for modern recreation, it is represented not only by skiing and spas. Japan, like no other eastern country, has succeeded in development. It will easily offer entertainment such as diving, skydiving and other active sports.
Kii Peninsula
The Kii Peninsula is Japan's largest peninsula, and it certainly has some noteworthy coastline that can make travel a real pleasure, along with Kumano Kodo's famous network of pilgrimage trails that lead through densely forested mountains and along the coast. Among the beaches of Kii, it is worth noting Shirahama Beach, which stands out for its white sand and excellent surfing conditions.
Shirahama Beach in Shimoda
The most popular beach on the Izu Peninsula, Shirahama stretches 800 meters and is famous for its light sand and crystal clear waters. If you are attracted by the beautiful and mysterious ocean, but do not have time to fly to Okinawa, we recommend visiting this wonderful beach.
How to get there: Take the Tokaido Line or Shinkasen to Ito Station, then transfer to the Izukyu Line to Shimoda Station. And then 10 minutes by bus to the Shirahama Kaigan stop.
Kamakura
One of the best beach destinations near Tokyo is Kamakura, a small town as famous for its huge Buddha statue as it is for its wonderful beaches. Seongnan Coast has excellent surfing conditions, while the beaches around Enoshima offer sand, sea and views of Mount Fuji on clear days. In general, this place has received a reputation as the “Miami of the Eastern Spill.” Of course, it cannot be called the most beautiful coastline, but it is definitely much more convenient in terms of service and more accessible than Okinawa!
Japan Tours
The most interesting tours in Japan are thematic. There are many such tours. For example, trips to Japan are organized during cherry blossom days, as well as in the autumn months, when the nature of Japan is especially picturesque. There are individual tours that you can order to see the most ancient sights of Japan . Special tours are also organized for lovers of Japanese military history.
Last minute tours in this direction:
Wait for loading
Izu Peninsula
Another destination that is very easy to reach from Tokyo is the Izu Peninsula. There are absolutely charming provincial landscapes and cozy beaches, the best of which is perhaps Yumigahama Beach. And a little closer to the southern tip of the peninsula you can find the very popular beach resort of Shimoda. The white sand of Shirahama Beach is quite popular and makes it quite a busy place during the swimming season, which starts from mid-July and ends in August. But the special charm is that in this area you can safely enjoy beautiful weather from May to September inclusive. There is also warm water, which is ideal for diving.
Beach and swimming season
The swimming season lasts from July to early September, and although September is still quite hot, and the ocean water warms up to 23-25 degrees, for the Japanese, swimming is already over. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is the periodic influx of colonies of stinging jellyfish in September.
As for tourists who come for a beach holiday, they start swimming at the end of May, and many of them consider the best season to be the period from late August to mid-October. The air temperature during these months is about 26 degrees, and the water remains heated to 24 degrees.
Ogasawara Islands
Well, we've finally reached the last item on our list of recommended places that haven't received the recognition they deserve. The Ogaswara Islands are technically part of Tokyo, but in fact they are located a thousand kilometers away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And this is the “unexplored land” in Japan, where you can find untouched nature, subtropical climate, coral reefs, real jungles and stunningly beautiful beaches.
Make your choice and enjoy your summer holiday exploring the most beautiful parts of Japan!
Okinawa
You may be interested in:Tourism in Uzbekistan: cities, attractions, interesting places
The list of beach resorts in Japan is topped by Okinawa. It is the largest island in the Ryukyu archipelago. If you want to find it on a map, look to the area between Taiwan and Kyushu Island. It was there, in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, that Okinawa was located.
It is impossible to imagine Japanese seaside resorts without diving. Okinawa is first in this. People come here craving underwater adventures: complete immersion underwater in search of corals and the magnificent colors of marine life. Photo hunting for inhabitants of the seabed is carried out all year round. Magnificent coral reefs will delight not only children, but also seasoned adults. In addition, both on the beaches and in the heart of the island there are many dolphinariums and roller coasters, designed for both children and adults. The kitchen is great. To feel the full taste of relaxation, be sure to try grilled seafood dishes. Such delicious but unpretentious food is served in all cafes not only in the city, but also on the beaches of the island.
