Introducing some of the best beaches along the beautiful and clean, Japanese Sea!
Kyotango beaches
Kyotango runs along the Tango Peninsula, an area of ancient volcanos, fertile soil, and the easternmost section of the UNESCO San’in Kaigan Global Geopark, which runs through Hyogo and Tottori Prefectures to the west as well. The beaches here are some of the best in Japan, some with rare geological features, private bays and coves, volcanic rocks rising out from the sea, a special “singing” beach with sand that contains an unusually high amount of quartz, as well as beaches that are great for surfing, stand-up-paddle boarding, swimming, lounging, playing, and some that have nearby hiking, hot spring inns, amazing camping, etc.
Hakoishihama
Long Beach in picturesque Kumihama, clear water
Hatchohama
great for families, gentle sloping beach, large park
Hei
transparent water, geological features with a sandy cave
Kamaihama
beautifully clear beach in a small cove with pier
Kotohikihama
“singing sands” beach in Amino
Kotohikihama Asobi
“singing sands” beach in Amino (smaller)
Shotenkyo
straddling the Sea of Japan and Kumihama Bay
Sunagata
set away from the main road, with a very private feel
Takano
great for swimming, fishing, and boat excursions
Takashima
remote beach in Tango with geological features
Tateiwa・Nochigahama
beach featuring iconic volcanic rock formation, Tateiwa
Yuhigaura
Unreal sunsets, driftwood swing, nearby hot spring inns
Ine beaches
Following the Tango Peninsula around it’s tip and south down its eastern boundary is Ine. Most famous for their heritage “Funaya” boat houses, a village built right on the water, this town also has some stunning beaches hidden away in some of the more remote coves and bays (not in the main Funaya boat house village). These beaches are quite remote and tend to avoid the crowds that more populated areas have in the summer.
Honjohama
remote, private beach in a village
Tomari
remote, private, and gentle waves.
Miyazu beaches
Miayzu is best-known for Amanohashidate, a 1.8km naturally occurring land bridge with bays on both sides. Miyazu Bay was included in UNESCO’s “Worlds Most Beautiful Bays” club, and for a good reason. The beach stretches the length of the pine forest land bridge and is only open to foot traffic. But its still very easy to get to as JR Amanohashidate Station is only a 5-10 minute walk away. Expect this beach to be crowded during Japan’s beach season, mid-July through the end of August.
Amanohashidate
set along one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, walk from station
Maizuru beaches
Maizuru is located on the easternmost part of Kyoto prefecture’s Japanese Sea, before entering Fukui Prefecture. The beaches are beautiful and remote, and will not see as many visitors as Amanohashidate, despite Maizuru City being the largest of the cities on Kyoto’s shoreline. There are long white sand beaches, smaller coves and deep blue inlets, as well as some great hiking and nature experiences nearby.
Kanzaki
Nohara
Ryuguhama
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