Japan’s Top 20 Dreamy Beaches! A Summer Paradise of Blue Seas and White Sands!

As an island nation surrounded by the sea, Japan boasts numerous picturesque beaches. Azure skies, pristine white sands, and crystal-clear waters—here are Japan’s 20 most stunning beaches! Pick your must-visit beach for this summer!

Iwate Prefecture: Jodogahama Beach

Jodogahama Beach is a renowned national scenic spot in Iwate Prefecture, famous for the stunning contrast of green pines, white rocks, and azure seas, earning its reputation as a top attraction in the Sanriku region. Its name derives from its paradise-like beauty, reminiscent of the Pure Land.

Selected as one of the Ministry of the Environment’s “Top 100 Bathing Beaches,” it boasts top-tier water clarity in Japan, with calm waves ideal for snorkeling and swimming.

You can also take a “Sappa” boat to visit the famous “Blue Cave,” marveling at giant candle rocks and dramatic tide-blow holes, sights invisible from land.

• Jodogahama Beach (浄土ヶ浜)
• Address: 32 Hitachi-hama-cho, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 10 minutes by car from Miyako Station on the JR Yamada Line, or take a bus to “Oku-Jodogahama” and alight at the stop.

Chiba Prefecture: Moriya Beach

Moriya Beach is included in the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches” and “Japan’s Top 100 Shores,” distinguished by an island 170 meters offshore and its bay-like coastline.

Its exceptionally clear water and calm waves make it perfect for observing fish swimming beneath the surface.

• Moriya Beach (守谷海水浴場)
• Address: Moriya, Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 10 minutes’ walk from Kazusa-Okitsu Station on the JR Sotobo Line.

Tokyo: Shikinoshima Tomari Beach

Located about 160 km south of Tokyo, Shikinoshima is reachable by high-speed ferry in about 3 hours. Tomari Beach is renowned for its fan-shaped white sand bay and jelly-like cobalt blue waters, selected for “Japan’s Top 88 Bathing Beaches.”

Its clear, shallow, and calm waters are ideal for swimming and diving, with abundant fish visible even at a depth of 50 cm.

• Tomari Beach (泊海水浴場)
• Address: Shikinoshima, Niijima Village, Tokyo
• Access: Approx. 5 minutes’ walk from Nobushi Port.

Niigata Prefecture: Sado Futatsugame Beach

Named for its resemblance to two turtles, Futatsugame Beach boasts the highest water clarity on Sado Island and is included in “Japan’s Top 100 Bathing Beaches” and rated two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

At low tide, the grass-covered “Oki-no-shima” and “Iso-no-shima” connect to the mainland, becoming isolated islands at high tide, creating a fascinating changing landscape.

• Futatsugame Beach (二ツ亀海水浴場)
• Address: Washizaki, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 50 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port / Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes by car from Ogi Port.

Shizuoka Prefecture: Hirizo Beach

Hirizo Beach, located in Minami-Izu’s Irozaki, is renowned for its exceptional clarity, earning it the nickname “Japan’s Phi Phi Islands.” Accessible only by ferry, it’s a true hidden gem.

Its underwater world resembles an aquarium, teeming with fish, making it ideal for snorkeling and experienced divers.

• Hirizo Beach (ヒリゾ浜)
• Address: Nakagi, Minami-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 40 minutes by car from Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line, or 45 minutes by bus to Nakagi Port, then a 5-minute ferry ride.

Mie Prefecture: Shima City Goza Shirahama Beach

Goza Shirahama Beach is renowned for having the clearest waters in the Tokai region and is included in the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches.” The contrast of white sand and cobalt blue waters evokes an overseas resort, making it a surfer’s paradise. Its shallow and calm waters are perfect for families.

• Goza Shirahama Beach (御座白浜海水浴場)
• Address: Goza, Shima Town, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 2 minutes’ walk from Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Shima Line via Mie Kotsu Bus to Goza Shirahama stop.

Fukui Prefecture: Suishohama Beach

Suishohama Beach, selected for “Japan’s Top 88 Bathing Beaches,” is famous for its fine, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. The contrast of white sand and blue sea is stunning, ideal for windsurfing and other water sports, and a prime spot for sunset views.

• Suishohama Beach (水晶浜海水浴場)
• Address: Takenami, Mihama Town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture
• Access: From Tsuruga Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line, take the Fukui Railway Bus to “Suishohama” stop and alight.

Kyoto Prefecture: Amanohashidate Beach

Located on the Monju side of Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, this beach features a 3.6-km stretch of pine trees and white sand, embodying the classic beauty of white sand and green pines.

Amanohashidate Beach has excellent water quality and calm waves, perfect for relaxing under the pine shade, with nearby attractions like Amanohashidate View Land, ideal for combining with sightseeing.

• Amanohashidate Beach (天橋立海水浴場)
• Address: Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 7 minutes’ walk from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway.

Hyogo Prefecture: Takenohama Beach

Takenohama Beach is included in the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches” and “Japan’s Top 100 Shores,” with water quality rated AA, the highest level. Its 1-km fine white sand beach and highly transparent shallow waters make it a top scenic spot on the San’in Coast.

• Takenohama Beach (竹野浜海水浴場)
• Address: Takeno, Takeno Town, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 15 minutes’ walk from Takeno Station on the JR San’in Main Line.

Wakayama Prefecture: Shirarahama Beach

Shirarahama Beach is a top Kansai beach, twinned with Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach as a sister beach, and included in “Japan’s Top 100 Bathing Beaches.”

Its 640-meter shallow white sand beach, made of quartz, paired with azure waters and colorful parasols, exudes a strong tropical vibe.

• Shirarahama Beach (白良浜海水浴場)
• Address: 864 Shirahama Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Main Line.

Hiroshima Prefecture: Kure City Kenmin no Hama Beach

Kenmin no Hama Beach is included in “Japan’s Top 100 Shores” and “Top 100 Bathing Beaches,” renowned for its 400-meter white sand beach and scenic pines.

Located on the “Tobishima Kaido,” facing the Seto Inland Sea’s multi-island scenery, it’s ideal for swimming and various water sports with stunning views.

• Kenmin no Hama Beach (県民の浜海水浴場)
• Address: Oura, Kamagari Town, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 60 minutes by bus from Kure Station on the JR Kure Line to “Koigahama” stop, then 15 minutes’ walk.

Yamaguchi Prefecture: Suo-Oshima Katsoegahama Beach

Located within the Seto Inland Sea National Park, dubbed “Japan’s Mediterranean,” Katsoegahama Beach blends natural surroundings with tourist facilities perfectly and is included in the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches” and “Japan’s Top 88 Bathing Beaches.”

Its white sand beach is dotted with phoenix trees and palm trees, exuding a tropical vibe. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, on clear days, you can see the mountains of Shikoku, offering captivating scenery.

• Katsoegahama Beach (片添ヶ浜海水浴場)
• Address: Hirano Katsoe, Suo-Oshima Town, Oshima District, Yamaguchi Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 50 minutes by bus from Obatake Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line.

Kagawa Prefecture: Megijima Onigashima Beach

Also known as “Onigashima” due to the Momotaro legend of defeating ogres, Onigashima Beach is included in the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches,” renowned for its clear blue waters and beautiful scenery.

The calm waves of the Seto Inland Sea make it ideal for safe swimming.

• Onigashima Beach (鬼ヶ島海水浴場)
• Address: Higashiura, Megicho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 15 minutes by ferry from Takamatsu Station on the JR Yosan Line, then 5 minutes’ walk from the port.

Kochi Prefecture: Kashiwajima

Kashiwajima, a small island with a 4-km circumference, has water so clear that boats appear to float in the air, likened to Italy’s Lampedusa Island.

Its emerald-green waters have gone viral on social media, dubbed “stunningly scenic.” The shallow waters under the island’s two bridges resemble a river, home to about 1,000 fish species, perfect for diving and snorkeling.

• Kashiwajima (柏島)
• Address: Otsuki Town, Hata District, Kochi Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 40 minutes by car from Sukumo Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway / Approx. 2 hours via Route 56 from Shimantocho-Chuo IC on the Kochi Expressway.

Fukuoka Prefecture: Shikanoshima Beach

Shikanoshima Beach is renowned for its high clarity and white sand, connected to the mainland by a sandbar where Japan’s national treasure, the Gold Seal, was discovered.

• Offers views of Fukuoka’s skyscrapers, Fukuoka Dome, and Fukuoka Tower across Hakata Bay.
• Shallow waters with gentle waves, ideal for swimming.

• Shikanoshima Beach (志賀島海水浴場)
• Address: Shikanoshima Dokiri, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Access: From Nishitetsu Station, take the Nishitetsu Bus to Shikanoshima stop / Approx. 28 minutes by ferry from Hakata Pier to Shikanoshima Ferry Terminal.

Nagasaki Prefecture: Hitotsuku Beach

Hitotsuku Beach is a shallow, clear hidden gem, offering white sand and emerald-green waters that evoke a tropical vibe.

Though less crowded, its beauty rivals the nearby Nezushi Beach, making them both worth visiting together.

• Hitotsuku Beach (人津久海水浴場)
• Address: Oishiwaki Town, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 40 minutes by car from Hirado Bridge.

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Kagoshima Prefecture: Amami Oshima Tsuchimori Beach

Located near Amami Airport, Tsuchimori Beach is one of Amami Oshima’s most beautiful beaches. Its white sand and gradient waters from emerald green to cobalt blue are nicknamed “Blue Angel.”

With high water clarity and rocky surroundings, caution is needed due to strong currents to avoid being swept away by riptides.

• Tsuchimori Beach (土盛海岸)
• Address: Tsuchimori, Kasari Town, Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 6 minutes by car from Amami Airport.

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Okinawa Prefecture: Tokashiki Island Aharen Beach

Aharen Beach, a signature beach of the Kerama Islands, is famous for its “Kerama Blue,” boasting world-class beauty that attracts numerous tourists and divers.

This 800-meter arc-shaped white sand beach offers breathtaking views from the lookout point, with vibrant tropical fish like clownfish visible underwater.

• Aharen Beach (阿波連ビーチ)
• Address: Aharen, Tokashiki Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 35 minutes by high-speed ferry (or 70 minutes by regular ferry) from Naha’s Tomari Port to Tokashiki Port, then 10 minutes by shuttle or bus.

Okinawa Prefecture: Kumejima Hate no Hama

Hate no Hama, located 5 km east of Kumejima, is an uninhabited sandbar island composed solely of white sand.

Its emerald-green to blue gradient waters are highly transparent, allowing clear views of the seabed. Glass-bottom boats offer a glimpse of the underwater world en route.

• Hate no Hama (ハテの浜)
• Address: Kumejima Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture
• Access: 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport to Kumejima Airport → Approx. 25 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus to Tomari Fisherina → Approx. 30 minutes by boat to Hate no Hama.
• *Visiting Hate no Hama requires joining a tour; advance reservations are mandatory.

Okinawa Prefecture: Miyakojima Yonaha Maehama Beach

Stretching 7 km, Yonaha Maehama Beach is hailed as the “finest in the Orient” for its white sand. The distant view of Kurima Island and Kurima Bridge adds a highlight to the azure waters, making it an ideal photography spot.

Its sand is fine and soft, and early mornings offer fewer crowds for an exclusive view of the stunning scenery.

• Yonaha Maehama Beach (与那覇前浜ビーチ)
• Address: Maehama, Shimoji Town, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
• Access: Approx. 17 minutes by car from Miyako Airport.