Backpacking Japan: The Most Popular Beaches in Japan

Japan is not famous for it's beaches - in fact, many of the beaches on the main island of Japan, Honshu, are downright ugly or depressing. The sand is black due to the volcanic history of the island, and the water is usually dark and uninviting. Many beaches also suffer from trash, or from unsightly surroundings. This isn't to say that all beaches in Japan are bad, however - the country is covered by water on all sides, so there must be at least one good place to go, right?

There are, in fact, several nice beaches in Japan where one can enjoy many hours of fun, not only in the water, but also in the surrounding gardens, shops, or attractions. They may be few in number, but these beaches do exist, and are a nice welcome from the oppressive summer heat.

Below is a list of the beaches on Japan that are actually worth going to - clean, quiet, fun, or diverse, they all offer something unique.

Kamakura Beach

Kamakura beach is the most popular beach to go to for those in and around Tokyo. While it's definitely not the most aesthetically pleasing beach, it is not very dirty and liter is quite minimal. The sand is warm and ample, and you can find some nice shells if you dig around.

There's a large number of food/ice cream/tinker toys shop around in the immediate area, as well as a very nice garden anyone can walk through.

The only downside to this beach is the large number of people who come to it every year. If you're looking for somewhere quiet and relaxing, this is not it.

Shirahama Beach

This beach, unfortunately, is a bit of a drive or train ride from Tokyo, but it is definitely worth it. The sand is white and the water is relatively clear. There are usually a great deal of activities and events going on, but the beach is large enough that you can usually find a secluded spot if you desired.

This beach is a popular spot for diving because of the clear water and light sand.

Shikinejima Island