Note (September 2026): This guide was corrected. Hateruma, home of Nishihama Beach, is Japan’s southernmost inhabited island (not its “most inhabited”), and Taketomi’s Kondoi Beach lies just north of the Tropic of Cancer rather than within the tropics.
The best beaches in Japan are mostly in Okinawa Prefecture: Yonaha Maehama on Miyako Island (a 7 km white-sand beach often ranked No. 1 in Japan), Furuzamami and Aharen in the Kerama Islands, and Kondoi on Taketomi. On the mainland, Shirahama in Shimoda and the singing-sand beach of Kotohikihama in Kyoto Prefecture stand out. Okinawa’s main swimming season runs from about May to October.
Key Takeaways
- Fifteen of the 20 beaches below are in Okinawa Prefecture, which has a subtropical climate and coral reefs; the rest are on Honshu and Shikoku.
- Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyako Island was ranked No. 1 in Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan for 2019.
- The Kerama Islands, about 32 km southwest of Okinawa Island, became Kerama Shoto National Park on March 5, 2014, and are 40 to 70 minutes from Naha by high-speed ferry.
- Swimming is prohibited at Katsurahama (strong currents) and Odaiba (Tokyo Bay), so check the rules before you go.
- Habu jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, are most prevalent in Okinawa from June to October; many beaches use netted swimming areas.
Japan is rarely the first place that comes to mind for a perfect beach holiday. Most travelers picture the Seychelles, Hawaii or the Caribbean first, depending on where they live. Yet the best beaches in Japan hold their own: most are white-sand, coral-fringed beaches in subtropical Okinawa Prefecture, and there are scenic mainland beaches from Tokyo Bay and the Izu Peninsula to Shikoku and the Sea of Japan coast.
The Best Beaches in Japan, Island by Island
Japanese beaches are known for being clean, and visitors are expected to keep them that way by taking all their rubbish with them and following each beach’s posted rules.
Here are 20 of the best beaches in Japan, from the Kerama Islands, Miyako Island and the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa to Shikoku, Izu, Kyoto Prefecture and the Tokyo area.
Akajima Beach (Okinawa)
Aka Island (Aka-jima, also called Aka-nu-shima) is part of the Kerama Islands group in Okinawa Prefecture, some 15 miles (about 24 km) southwest of Okinawa Island.
The island is commonly known simply as Aka, and it is a popular destination for visitors from both mainland Japan and Okinawa Island, especially divers and snorkelers drawn to its coral reefs. Aka has a subtropical climate and a population of approximately 330 people. Its best-known beach is Nishibama (also written Nishihama) Beach, and the high-speed ferry from Naha’s Tomari Port takes about 50 minutes.
Sunayama Beach (Miyakojima)
Sunayama Beach is in the north of Miyako Island (Miyako-jima) in Okinawa Prefecture, and it is reached by a short walk over a sand dune from the parking lot. The white-sand beach is instantly recognizable by the rock arch at its southern end. The arch is exposed coral reef that the sea has eroded over several centuries.
Katsurahama Beach (Shikoku)
Katsurahama Beach is a famous scenic beach in Kochi City on Shikoku, on Urado Bay facing the Pacific Ocean; the Kochiken Kotsu bus from JR Kochi Station takes approximately 35 minutes. The pretty stretch of sand is backed by the promenade and trees of Katsurahama Park, and a statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, erected in 1928, overlooks the beach. Because of strong currents, swimming is prohibited at Katsurahama, so this is a beach for sitting in the sun, strolling the promenade and visiting the nearby Katsurahama Aquarium and Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum.
Tokashiku Beach (Okinawa)
Tokashiku Beach is a splendid white-sand beach on Tokashiki Island, the largest of the Kerama Islands, which lie about 32 km southwest of Okinawa Island.
The clear water of Tokashiku’s bay is regarded as one of the best places in the Keramas to see sea turtles. Snorkeling is possible straight off the beach.
Mibaru Beach (Nanjo)
Mibaru Beach, in Nanjo City on the southeast coast of Okinawa Island, is one of the island’s finest beaches: a stretch of white sand well over a kilometer long that leads to clear turquoise water. Mibaru stands out for the rock formations along its length. At low tide, rock pools form around these greenery-topped rocks. The swimming season runs from late April to September.
Furuzamami Beach (Okinawa)
Furuzamami Beach is on Zamami Island in the Kerama group, a 50 to 70 minute high-speed ferry ride from Tomari Port in Naha on Okinawa Island. The beach is regularly rated as one of the finest in Japan; it was ranked 4th in Japan in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice World’s Best Beaches awards for 2016. It is a gently curving stretch of white sand.
Nishihama Beach (Hateruma)
Nishihama Beach is on Hateruma, the southernmost inhabited island in Japan, which belongs to the town of Taketomi and is reached by ferry from Ishigaki. Hateruma is remote, with approximately 600 inhabitants, and its beach lives up to its place among the best beaches in Japan. The white sand is powdery, and the beach suits an unhurried day of swimming and relaxing.
Kondoi Beach (Taketomi)
Kondoi Beach is on Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands, among the southernmost islands of Japan. Taketomi is a small island of 5.42 square kilometers and far less built up than neighboring Ishigaki, the business and transport center of the Yaeyama Islands. Taketomi is also known for hoshizuna, or star sand. The boat from Ishigaki to Taketomi takes about ten minutes.
Yonaha Maehama Beach (Miyakojima)
Yonaha Maehama Beach is often cited as the best beach in Japan; Tripadvisor ranked it No. 1 in its Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan for 2019. The fine white-sand beach stretches seven kilometers along the southwestern tip of Miyako Island, facing Kurima Island, which is linked to the beach’s southeastern end by the Kurima Bridge. The water here is calm, warm and crystal clear with a hint of bluish-green. The bathing season runs from late March to the end of October, and jellyfish prevention nets are set up and monitors stationed during the tourist season.
Shirahama Beach (Shimoda)
Shirahama Beach, about four kilometers outside central Shimoda at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, is one of the most beautiful beaches within reach of Tokyo: the direct Odoriko limited express to Shimoda takes around 2.5 hours, followed by a 10-minute bus ride to the Shirahama Kaigan stop. The name Shirahama means ‘white sands’ and the name describes its 800-meter crescent of pale sand.
Odaiba Beach (Tokyo)
Nestled among the docksides of Tokyo Bay is the roughly 800-meter golden crescent of Odaiba Beach, in Odaiba Marine Park. There is no pretense that this beach is anything but man-made, with high-rise buildings and the Rainbow Bridge in the background. Swimming is prohibited, according to the official GO TOKYO guide, but water sports such as windsurfing are possible.
Emerald Beach (Okinawa)
Emerald Beach is at the tip of the Motobu Peninsula in the north of Okinawa’s main island, Okinawa Honto. Emerald Beach is part of Ocean Expo Park, established in 1976 to commemorate the 1975 Okinawa International Ocean Exposition and home to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Admission and parking are free, and swimming is allowed from April to October.
Kotohikihama (Kyoto)
Kotohikihama (also spelled Kotobikihama) is a pristine 1.8 km golden-sand beach in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast within the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark, and it is a unique one. The beach is called ‘singing sand’ and it is the largest singing-sand beach in Japan: the sand squeaks when it is walked upon. According to Kyoto Prefecture’s official tourism guide, the sound comes from quartz and is produced only on beaches with clean water and few impurities. The beach is a designated national natural monument and was the first non-smoking beach in the world.
Aharen Beach (Okinawa)
Aharen Beach is on the west coast of Tokashiki Island in the Kerama group; the high-speed ferry from Tomari Port in Naha to Tokashiki takes about 40 minutes. The curvy white sand bay is backed by high hills that are covered in lush green vegetation.
Aragusuku Beach (Miyakojima)
Aragusuku Beach on Miyako Island is just around the corner from Yoshino Beach, often called the best beach on Miyako for snorkeling, and Aragusuku is equally lovely. Aragusuku is a popular spot with tourists and locals who come for the scenery and for snorkeling in its shallow, calm water.
Naminoue Beach (Naha)
Naminoue Beach is the city beach of Naha, overlooked by Naminoue Shrine, the primary (ichinomiya) shrine of Okinawa Prefecture, which sits on a bluff above the sand. The water is emerald-blue.
Minna Island Beach (Motobu)
Minna Island (Minnajima) is a tiny, crescent-shaped coral island about seven kilometers off the northwest coast of Okinawa’s main island, 15 minutes by high-speed ferry from Toguchi Port in Motobu. Minna is known for its beautiful white-sand beach, which has a star in Michelin’s Green Guide for Japan, and for exceptionally clear water with visibility of up to 30 meters. The island had only 18 inhabitants as of 2025.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach (Chatan) is next to American Village, a shopping and entertainment complex in the Mihama district of Chatan on the central west coast of Okinawa Island, about 40 minutes from Naha. It is a 250-meter artificial beach with an urban backdrop and sunsets over the East China Sea; swimming runs from mid-April to November.
Ama Beach (Okinawa)
Ama Beach is on Zamami Island in the Kerama Islands and is one of the pristine beaches west of Okinawa Island. Zamami is 50 to 70 minutes from Tomari Port in Naha by the high-speed Queen Zamami, or about two hours by the slower Ferry Zamami.
Enoshima (Kanagawa)
Enoshima is a small island about 4 km in circumference in Sagami Bay, part of Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture, linked to the mainland by a 389-meter bridge and easily reached by the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) from Kamakura. Its sandy beaches are some of the closest to Tokyo and Yokohama. Besides the views, visitors come for Enoshima Shrine, the Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower in the Samuel Cocking Garden, and the Iwaya Caves; Enoshima was also the sailing venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Japan Beaches Compared: Location, Best For and Access
The table below compares the beaches in this guide by region, what each is best for and how to reach it. Travel times are approximate as of September 2026; ferry schedules change by season and weather, so check the operator’s timetable before you travel.
| Beach | Location | Best for | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yonaha Maehama | Miyako Island, Okinawa | Swimming, long walks, sunsets | Flight to Miyako (45 minutes from Naha) |
| Sunayama | Miyako Island, Okinawa | Rock arch, photography | Short walk over a dune from parking |
| Aragusuku | Miyako Island, Okinawa | Shore snorkeling | Drive on Miyako Island |
| Furuzamami | Zamami Island, Kerama | Snorkeling, white sand | 50-70 min high-speed ferry from Naha |
| Ama | Zamami Island, Kerama | Quiet swimming | 50-70 min high-speed ferry from Naha |
| Aharen / Tokashiku | Tokashiki Island, Kerama | Snorkeling, sea turtles | About 40 min high-speed ferry from Naha |
| Nishibama | Aka Island, Kerama | Diving, coral reefs | About 50 min high-speed ferry from Naha |
| Kondoi | Taketomi Island, Yaeyama | Shallow water, star sand island | About 10 min boat from Ishigaki |
| Nishihama | Hateruma, Yaeyama | Remote, uncrowded | Ferry from Ishigaki |
| Emerald Beach | Motobu, Okinawa Island | Families, aquarium visit | Free admission and parking |
| Mibaru | Nanjo, Okinawa Island | Rock formations, rock pools | Drive from Naha |
| Minna Beach | Minna Island, Motobu | Snorkeling, clear water | 15 min high-speed ferry from Toguchi Port |
| Naminoue / Sunset Beach | Naha / Chatan, Okinawa Island | City beaches, no ferry needed | In or near Naha |
| Shirahama | Shimoda, Izu Peninsula | Beach trip from Tokyo | About 2.5 hours by Odoriko train plus bus |
| Enoshima | Fujisawa, Kanagawa | Day trip from Tokyo, shrine and caves | Enoden from Kamakura |
| Odaiba Beach | Tokyo Bay | City views (no swimming) | Yurikamome to Odaiba-kaihinkoen |
| Katsurahama | Kochi, Shikoku | Scenery, history (no swimming) | About 35 min bus from JR Kochi Station |
| Kotohikihama | Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture | Singing sand, Sea of Japan | Bus from Amino Station, then 10 min walk |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Beaches in Japan?
The best time for beaches in Japan depends on the region. According to japan-guide.com, the best time to swim on Okinawa’s main island is between May and October, when water temperatures reach about 30 degrees Celsius in summer; from December to March air temperatures can drop below 20 degrees Celsius, which many people find too cool for swimming.
Official swimming seasons differ by beach. Yonaha Maehama’s bathing season runs from late March to the end of October, Emerald Beach allows swimming from April to October, Mibaru from late April to September and Sunset Beach from mid-April to November. Mainland beaches such as Shirahama, Enoshima and Kotohikihama are mainly summer destinations, since winters there are much colder.
Typhoons are the main weather risk. About five typhoons approach the Kerama Islands every year, especially in early summer, and September is the wettest month on Hateruma. Ferries to the outer islands depend on sea conditions, so it is sensible to leave a spare day in an island itinerary. If you are prone to motion sickness on small high-speed ferries, see these practical tips to avoid seasickness.
Beach Safety in Japan: Jellyfish, Currents and Rules
Japanese beach safety comes down to three things: currents, jellyfish and local rules. Japan-guide.com warns visitors to Okinawa to beware of strong currents that can pull swimmers out to sea and of habu jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish that is most prevalent from June to October. Some beaches, including Yonaha Maehama, set up jellyfish nets and have monitors on duty during the season.
- Swim only where swimming is allowed. Swimming is prohibited at Katsurahama because of strong currents and at Odaiba Beach in Tokyo Bay.
- Stay inside the nets at beaches that have netted swimming areas, especially from June to October in Okinawa.
- Check the tide before snorkeling off Miyako and Kerama beaches, because shallow reef areas can be hard to swim over at low tide.
- Protect the reef and the sand. Do not stand on coral, and take all rubbish with you; at Kotohikihama the sand only sings when the beach is clean.
- Respect wildlife. Green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles lay eggs on Kerama beaches in summer, and humpback whales visit from about January to March or April.
How to Get to Japan’s Best Beaches
Most of Japan’s best beaches are reached through Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, which has direct flights and ferry connections. From there:
- Kerama Islands: high-speed ferries leave Tomari Port in Naha for Tokashiki (about 40 minutes), Zamami (50 to 70 minutes) and Aka (about 50 minutes), with two or three trips a day to Tokashiki and one or two to Aka, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
- Miyako Island: flights from Naha take about 45 minutes, and there are direct flights from Tokyo. Bridges link Miyako to Irabu (3.5 km), Ikema (1.4 km) and Kurima (1.7 km) islands.
- Yaeyama Islands: Taketomi and Hateruma are reached by ferry from Ishigaki, about 400 km southwest of Okinawa Island.
- Okinawa Island beaches: Naminoue is in Naha itself; Sunset Beach, Mibaru and Emerald Beach are easiest to reach by car or bus, and Minna Island is 15 minutes by ferry from Toguchi Port in Motobu.
- Mainland beaches: Enoshima and Odaiba are day trips from central Tokyo, Shirahama is about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by the direct Odoriko limited express, and Katsurahama and Kotohikihama are reached by bus from Kochi and Amino stations.
Before booking island hops, compare travel insurance plans for Asia trips, since typhoons can disrupt island travel plans.
More Beach Guides for Asia
If you are planning a wider beach trip in the region, compare Japan with the best beaches in South Korea, the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Japan?
Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyako Island, Okinawa, is most often named the best beach in Japan. It is a seven-kilometer white-sand beach at the southwestern tip of Miyako Island, and Tripadvisor ranked it No. 1 in its Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan for 2019.
Where are the best beaches in Japan?
The best beaches in Japan are concentrated in Okinawa Prefecture, especially the Kerama Islands near Naha, Miyako Island and the Yaeyama Islands such as Taketomi and Hateruma. On the mainland, well-known beaches include Shirahama in Shimoda, Enoshima near Tokyo and Kotohikihama in Kyoto Prefecture.
What is the best month for the beach in Okinawa?
The best time for the beach on Okinawa’s main island is between May and October, according to japan-guide.com. Typhoons are a risk through summer and early autumn, and habu jellyfish are most prevalent from June to October, so use netted swimming areas where they exist.
Can you swim at beaches near Tokyo?
Yes, but not at every beach. Swimming is prohibited at Odaiba Beach in Tokyo Bay. For swimming, people from Tokyo usually head to Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture or to Shirahama Beach in Shimoda, about 2.5 hours away by the direct Odoriko limited express.
What are the Kerama Islands known for?
The Kerama Islands are known for clear “Kerama blue” water, coral reefs with 248 species of reef-building corals, sea turtles and humpback whales that visit in winter. The islands and surrounding waters became Kerama Shoto National Park in 2014, and beaches such as Furuzamami, Aharen and Tokashiku are reached by ferry from Naha.
What is the singing sand beach in Japan?
Kotohikihama in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, is Japan’s largest singing-sand beach. Its quartz sand squeaks when walked on, but only when the beach is clean, which is why local residents help keep it free of litter.
