11 Best Beaches in Japan

When most people think of Japan, they picture neon-lit cityscapes, ancient temples and bullet trains. I’ll admit, that’s what drew me there too. During my time exploring Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, I was completely captivated by the urban energy and cultural richness of these iconic cities.

But somewhere between temple visits and ramen crawls, I found myself dreaming of Japan’s coastlines. The country is surrounded by water, after all, and I kept glimpsing tantalizing photos of pristine beaches that looked nothing like the Japan I had imagined in my head. That’s when I dove deep into researching the country’s coastal gems—places I’m already planning to return for.

Japan’s coastline is wildly diverse: from tropical paradise islands in the south to more rugged volcanic shores in the north. These are the 10 beaches in Japan that have captured my imagination and are now firmly planted on my must-visit list for my next trip.

Kondoi Beach looks like something out of a screensaver. Just imagine white sand so fine it squeaks, and water so clear and blue it seems almost artificial.

Taketomi is a tiny island in Okinawa Prefecture, accessible only by ferry from Ishigaki. The whole island has a population of about 300 people and maintains its traditional charm with red-tiled houses and water buffalo cart tours. Kondoi Beach is pure tropical paradise in the most understated way.

The water is bathwater-warm year-round, perfect for floating and swimming. And the beach faces west, promising spectacular sunsets. There’s a small snack bar serving shaved ice, and that’s about it for amenities. Sometimes less really is more.

This seven-kilometer stretch of powdery white sand on Miyakojima Island is consistently ranked as one of Japan’s best beaches and deserves every bit of hype. The water shifts from pale turquoise to deep sapphire as you wade out and the sand is so fine it feels like silk.

Even during Golden Week when half of Japan is on vacation, the beach reportedly maintains its spotless condition. There are proper facilities here too: clean restrooms, showers and beachside cafés serving Miyakojima’s famous mango soft serve.

The area is perfect for sea kayaking, with coral formations just offshore that promise incredible snorkeling opportunities. Marine life here includes schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and coral gardens that look like underwater cities.

Shirahama translates to “white sand” and it lives up to its name beautifully. This beach on the Kii Peninsula is famous for its imported white sand (originally from Australia, though they’ve since switched to domestic sources) and its collection of dramatic rock formations jutting from the sea.

The beach has a distinctly resort-town feel with plenty of hotels and restaurants, but it’s not too overdeveloped. And, of course, the hot springs here are legendary. The idea of combining beach time with soaking in Shirahama’s outdoor onsen while watching the sunset sounds absolutely magical. There’s just something symbiotic about sitting in naturally heated water while nearby ocean breezes cool your face.

Located within Ocean Expo Park on Okinawa’s main island, Emerald Beach is exactly what it sounds like: a stunning stretch of sand where the water glows with an otherworldly green-blue hue. It’s an artificial beach, created as part of the park development, but you’d never know the difference. 

The beach is divided into three sections: one for swimming, one for relaxing and one for playing. It sounds like the perfect family destination, with Japanese families arriving with elaborate picnic setups and kids splashing in the shallow water.

The nearby Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the world’s best, so you can easily combine beach time with whale shark viewing.

Up in northern Honshu, Jodogahama Beach offers something completely different: a dramatic coastline of white volcanic rock formations rising from sapphire-blue water. The name means “Pure Land Beach,” referencing the Buddhist concept of paradise, and it’s easy to see why.

Late summer is perfect for exploring the rocky tide pools here. The contrast between the white stone, deep blue water and green pine trees covering the clifftops looks absolutely stunning (like a traditional Japanese landscape painting.)

The beach is accessible via a scenic walking trail that winds through coastal forest. Along the way, you’ll pass small shrines and observation points where you can pause to take in the dramatic views. There’s a visitor center with a café serving local seafood, including sea urchin that’s reportedly incredible. 

This is the beach that exists only at low tide. Yurigahama appears as a sandbar off the coast of Yoron Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, creating a temporary paradise that vanishes twice daily with the tides. Getting there requires a boat tour, which only adds to the adventure.

The water is so clear you can see every grain of sand beneath your feet, and the color shifts from pale green to deep blue as the depth changes. Local legend says that if you find a star-shaped sand grain on Yurigahama, you’ll find happiness. Tour guides provide magnifying glasses to help visitors search through the sand. Whether or not you find the magical grain, the experience of visiting this disappearing beach is still very worth it.

Just an hour from Tokyo, Kamakura Beach offers a completely different beach experience. It’s not exactly tropical paradise, but it’s something more accessible and authentically Japanese. The sand is darker, the water cooler and the vibe distinctly local rather than resort-like.

It’s a proper beach town: surfers carrying boards, families grilling yakitori on portable stoves and teenagers playing volleyball as the sun sets behind the mountains. The beach stretches for several kilometers, with each section having its own personality.

The waves aren’t huge, but they’re consistent and perfect for beginners learning to surf. The combination of beach time with Kamakura’s historic temples and local street food make it the perfect day trip from Tokyo. 

This lovely little gem on the Japan Sea coast offers some of the clearest water you’ll find anywhere. Takahama Beach is actually a series of small coves connected by a coastal walking path, each offering slightly different views and experiences.

The water here is incredibly clear—so clear that you can see straight down to the rocky bottom and it creates this magical sensation of floating in mid-air.

The beach is surrounded by pine forests and backed by dramatic cliffs. There are several small restaurants serving incredibly fresh seafood, including a place that specializes in crab caught just offshore. 

Ibusuki Beach is famous for its natural sand baths—areas where volcanic activity heats the sand to perfect soaking temperatures. 

The beach itself is long and wide, with dark volcanic sand that gets quite hot during summer afternoons. But the real attraction is getting buried in the naturally heated sand. Local attendants will cover you completely except for your head, and you just lie there sweating out toxins while listening to the ocean. After a sand bath, you can cool off in the surf and then explore the nearby hot spring resorts.

If you’re craving the kind of beach that makes you audibly gasp when the ferry pulls into the harbor—Aharen Beach is it. Tucked away on Zamami Island, part of the Kerama National Marine Park, this swoon-worthy crescent of soft white sand and glow-blue water is what tropical daydreams are made of.

Just an hour by ferry from Okinawa’s capital, Naha, Zamami feels worlds away. The beach itself is framed by coral reefs that keep the water calm and glassy, perfect for floating, swimming or paddleboarding. And you might even spot a sea turtle or two gliding by (this place is famous for them.)

The beach has all the right creature comforts, too: kayak and snorkel rentals, changing rooms, umbrellas and even a few low-key cafés where you can grab an iced coffee or fresh Okinawan soba post-swim. The vibe on the island is mellow and blissfully low-traffic, so most people get around by bike or scooter.

This is the beach where you can drive your car directly onto the sand. Chirihama Beach on the Noto Peninsula is one of the few places in the world where this is possible, thanks to the unique composition of the sand that becomes firm when wet.

The beach stretches for eight kilometers, giving you plenty of space to explore this unusual experience. Photos show cars parked right on the sand with waves lapping nearby.

The area is also known for its seafood, particularly during winter crab season. Staying at a local ryokan that serves multi-course dinners featuring local specialties, then falling asleep to the sound of waves just outside your window sounds like the perfect way to experience this unique destination.