When Edo Period Japan’s most accomplished cartographer, Inō Tadataka, set out in 1800 to complete a 1:216,000 map of the entire coastline of Japan, he was embarking on a task of truly monstrous proportions.
Japan has over 18,000 miles of coastline. The minute, fine-grained turns of Japan’s thousands of oceans, bays, inlets, lagoons, and islands create a continent-sized jigsaw puzzle. So when Tadakata died in 1818, the task was left unfinished.
But what proved to be a near-impossible 19th-century cartography problem is also a source of seemingly endless resources and beauty: beaches, reefs, surf, and abundant marine life. Recently, we ranked Japan’s best mountain towns, noting the importance of mountains in Japanese culture. And while Japan’s ample marine resources have created rich cultures of fishing, pearl diving, and ocean worship, the threat of tsunamis and typhoons have posed constant threats for seaside communities. As a result, certain types of leisure like surfing and sea bathing are relatively recent introductions to Japan.
While beach resorts are nice, Japan’s coasts have so much more to offer than snoozing on the sand. Fortunately, a number of seaside towns around the country mix beautiful, warm waters and sophisticated waterside culture in waves. In this article, we’ll break down Japan’s top ten seaside towns.
Explaining the ranking
This ranking asks three simple questions. 1) Is the seaside nice? 2) How good are the ocean activities? 3) Is the seaside town a genuine Japan experience, with authentic history, culture, and food?
As a result, in this ranking, we have scored 47 seaside towns from Hokkaido to Okinawa based on the above three categories: activities (37.5%), nature (37.5%), and amenities (25%). As a result, the top-scoring towns excel based on different factors. But in general, a top-scoring town will be one where you can swim or snorkel for significant parts of the year, a town that balances attractions with solitude, and that has an authentic marine culture of some kind.
There are great beaches and seaside towns all across Japan, including the north. However, the ranking’s preference for pleasant waters more than two months a year did cause Hokkaido and Tohoku towns to miss out on the top ten. Scroll to the bottom for honorable mentions, which include some northern seaside spots!
The ranking
1. Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)
From top to bottom, the Izu Peninsula is one of the most beautiful seaside settings in the Japanese archipelago. But the southeastern jewel of the peninsula packs in so much oceanside joy and activity into a single, charming fishing village and its surrounds.
There’s the stunning, white sand Sotoura Beach, perfect for swimming and surfing. There’s Cape Tsumeki and Ebisu Island, a rocky shore launch-pad for snorkeling and diving. And the town itself has seafood delights, a notable history of the opening of Edo Japan by American Navy officer Matthew Perry, and regional specialties like tokoroten jelly treats.
A bonus is a comfortable climate. The southern tip of Izu tends to have slightly cooler summer highs than big cities and a warm-water season that can last from May through October.
2. Ishigaki (Okinawa Prefecture)
Okinawa is a bit of a cheat code for a “seaside town” ranking. The prefecture’s subtropical climate means that its waters are swimmable for much of the year. Not to mention the waters are generally shaded with more heavenly turquoise hues than mainland Japan’s deeply royal blues.
But even aside from those natural advantages, Ishigaki Island stands out as a paradise for seaside activities. The stunning natural beauty of Ishigaki’s most popular beaches, to its most secluded cove alike, earns it easily one of the highest scores on this list.
The expansive island leaves no shortage of coastline to explore. And the island is also a hub for non-ocean activity, too, with lush mangrove forests to navigate on foot or kayak and the 526-meter Mt. Omoto to climb.
3. Miyakojima (Okinawa Prefecture)
Miyakojima is a nearby neighbor to Ishigaki in Okinawa’s remote, southwest islands. And it is another stunner for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, diving, fishing, and more.
What Ishigaki wins in terms of variety, dramatic natural beauty, and endless possibilities of exploration, Miyakojima makes up for in the sheer beauty and accessibility of its gorgeous beaches. Consider Miyakojima as Japan’s ultimate, classic beach resort destination: tranquil teal waters, soft sand, and sea turtles rushing between sea and shore.
4. Shirahama (Wakayama Prefecture)
Did you know that you don’t even need to go two full hours away from Osaka to find perfect white sands and clear waters? Shirahama, located in southwest Wakayama, is a bit of a Miyakojima equivalent for mainland Japan. It earns its spot on its ranking through the single best beach in town.
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Shirahama is also an underrated embarkation point for day trips and side quests. Wakayama’s entire coastline is gorgeous, offering access to fun locations such as Honshu’s southernmost point. Not to mention that Shirahama is a launch pad for the remote mountains of central Wakayama Prefecture and the spiritual Kumano Kodo trail.
The caveat? Shirahama’s reputation is widely known, especially to Osaka partiers. August beach-enjoyers should beware.
5. Shima (Mie Prefecture)
Shima (and the neighboring Toba and Ise) in southern Mie Prefecture is the heartland of one of Japan’s most unique and treasured seaside traditions: ama.
These female free-divers are specially trained to dive for prized seafood (and formerly pearl-bearing oysters) in Mie’s waters without any breathing equipment or assistance. This culture is intimately linked with the sacred traditions of the region, home to Ise Shrine, devoted to the emperor’s ancestor and sun goddess Amaterasu. As a result, you can find stones tied with sacred rope in the region, marking them as the residences of gods.
To be clear, typical marine treats are still on the menu. Shima also offers beaches, theme parks, oyster farm tours, cruises, and wonderfully fresh seafood.
6. Miyazaki (Miyazaki Prefecture)
While it is a bit of a deviation from the spirit of this list to include a large prefectural city like Miyazaki (population: approx. 390,000), Miyazaki is still low-key enough to make for a relaxing visit. More importantly, its relaxed, seaside reputation is well-deserved. Miyazaki City and nearby Nichinan host large beaches, radical surf spots, the scenic Nichinan Coastal Road, Aoshima Island, and a modern city’s superior dining and shopping amenities. All these features make Miyazaki an excellent off-the-radar candidate to enjoy the sea.
Consider: while the autumn weather in Okinawa can be uncertain in terms of rain, Miyazaki can be beautifully sunny. Meanwhile, air and water temperatures don’t drop below the 70s until sometime in mid-November!
7. Motobu (Okinawa Prefecture)
Okinawa returns to the list. But for the first time, the mainland also makes an appearance. (Motobu is just 90 minutes from Naha.) That means that, in addition to the typical gorgeous beaches and waters, Motobu also presents a strong showing in terms of traditional Okinawan culture and cuisine.
Hiking at Mt. Yae, nearby classics like the beloved Nago Pineapple Park, and multiple aquariums and botanical gardens round out the more classic Okinawa seaside activities like beaches, snorkeling, and diving. The area is also dotted with traditional pagodas memorializing lives lost in World War II, in which Okinawan men and boys were sent to the battlefields even ahead of mainland Japanese citizens.
8. Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Kamakura may not have the best beaches in Japan. And it definitely does not have the most peaceful beaches in Japan. But it makes up for its black sand and crowds with a rich, multifaceted history as a former capital of Japan (1192-1333). Green hills, massive temples, and a strong tradition of literature add layers to the Kamakura experience, all in view of Mt. Fuji and the blue sea.
And in all honesty, Kamakura’s beaches and surf spots are plenty enjoyable outside of peak times and seasons. That’s especially true for more spacious options like Shichirigahama.
9. Shimanto (Kochi Prefecture)
Ready for a legitimate off-the-radar option? Kochi Prefecture, one of Japan’s most remote and under-visited, is a coastal gem that earned its place on this list, no grading curve necessary.
Yes, you’ll need a car to get around. But Shimanto is the ideal hub to make the most of Kochi Prefecture’s massive, quiet, white sand, warm water beaches and enviable seafood culture.
Take a hike around some of the temples on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage that passes through the area. It’s just enough to work up a sweat for a boating or surf session followed by a feast of seared tuna.
10. Amakusa (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Amakusa is one more town that manages to edge its way past popular Okinawa destinations thanks to its unique culture. This secluded island, a two-plus hour drive from Kumamoto City, was home to one of Japan’s strongest communities of Christians during the Edo Period. As a result, churches and other proof of these unique traditions cover the gorgeous, green trees and blue sea shores.
Peaceful inns, fishing villages, sites of worship. Amakusa is laced with a refined and almost spiritual atmosphere that can be felt as you travel between beach, church, and hilltop, sunset view.
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Honorable Mentions
Here are a few honorable mentions that either scored highly or suffered from having limited seasons: Zamami (Okinawa Prefecture), Katsuura (Chiba Prefecture), Miyazu (Kyoto Prefecture), Otaru (Hokkaido Prefecture), and Kesennuma (Miyagi Prefecture).
Zamami Island is another worthy Okinawa entry with immaculate white beaches and whale watching. Katsuura (along with the rest of the Boso Peninsula) and Miyazu, with its iconic Amanohashidate natural land bridge, are fantastic beach options for day trips or short weekend trips from the Tokyo and Kyoto areas, with stunning coasts and plenty of attractions.
Otaru, a veritable paradise of seafood delights, is our selection for Hokkaido, with strong access from Sapporo and swimmable summer beaches. Lastly, Tohoku’s Sanriku Coast is one of Japan’s most gorgeous coastlines with a rich seaside culture, and Kesennuma is an amazing site to soak it all in.
Scoring Criteria
Activities: 37.5% (54 points)
- 21% beaches (rated on size/number, niceness, beach rules, length of season) (31 pts)
- 10% other water activities: surfing, fishing, SUP, jet skiing, wind surfing (14 pts)
- 6.25% land activities: attractions, hiking, temples and shrines (9 pts)
Nature: 37.5% (54 pts)
- 19.5% ocean conditions: summer air and water temp highs, winter air and water temp highs (28 pts)
- 18% scenic beauty (24 pts)
Amenities: 25% (36 pts)
- 6.25% access: Distance and number of transfers from Tokyo or Osaka (9 pts)
- 6.25% solitude: Lack of crowds (9 pts)
- 6.25% culture: Number and importance of local traditional crafts, specialties, and festivals, plus number and quality of museums and cultural institutions (9 pts)
- 6.25% dining: Number and quality of restaurants, availability of fresh seafood (9 pts)
Discover the “unseen” side of Japan
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Sources
伊能忠敬記念館 (The Inoh Tadakata Museum). Katori City.
国土を知る / 意外と知らない日本の国土. Japan Innovation Center of Civil Engineering.
ニライカナイの拝所. Ocean Expo Park.
伊勢志摩 海女小屋はちまんかまど公式. Ama Hut Hachiman.
日本沿岸域の海面水温情報. Japan Meteorological Agency.
世界遺産「長崎と天草地方の潜伏キリシタン関連遺産」って？ Travel Nagasaki.
