To help those interested in visiting Japan, the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) indicates the three best beaches, among the hundreds in the country. They are true hidden paradises and have crystal clear waters and white sand. Ideal destinations to get away from the crowds and enjoy the tranquility by the sea during your holidays.
Even better, they are off the popular Japanese summer circuit – June to August. Visitors can count on good infrastructure and water activities, such as kayaking and diving to get to know the local marine fauna.
Kondoi Beach – Taketomi Island
Located in Okinawa, the favorite prefecture of the Japanese for summer vacations, the group of islands is home to dozens of stunning beaches. In one of them, the small Taketomi Island, is the most beautiful: Kondoi Beach.
This true hidden paradise is easily accessible and is a 15-minute walk from the island’s central village. The beach has an extensive coral breakwater, which makes the waters that bathe the clear sands of Kondoi calm and vibrant blue. It has a structure to receive bathers and at the end of the day the sunset provides a spectacle of its own.
Taketomi Island is just five square kilometers and has a central village to explore. There are almost no cars there and the tour can be done on foot or by buffalo cart, traditional local means of transport.
How to get there – To get to the village it is necessary to take a ferry from the neighboring island of Ishigaki. The journey takes just 15 minutes. Ishigaki, in turn, has an airport and receives direct flights from Osaka and Tokyo.
Yonaha Maehama Beach – Myako Island
Also in Okinawa Prefecture, an island still little known has untouched beauty. It is Yonaha Maehama Beach, ranked among the best sandy beaches in Japan. At seven kilometers long, it is worthy of a postcard-perfect summer vacation. It has umbrellas and chairs available to spend a free day sunbathing and enjoying the sea. Activities such as diving, jet skis and banana boats are available. Yonaha Maehama has good infrastructure for bathers, with showers and toilets nearby.
Miyako Island is the fourth largest in the Okinawa archipelago. Most of the population is concentrated in the city of Hirara, on the north coast. In addition to Yonaha Maehama Beach, the site hosts other interesting activities such as a tour of the tropical Botanical Garden in Hirara. With more than 1,600 varieties of plants and trees, it offers an incredible view of the emerald sea and the lighthouse in Higashi-Hennazaki, the most southeastern point of the island. There is also a curious monument to the tax, called the Nintozei-ishi.
How to get there – The only way to get to Miyako Island is by plane from Tokyo, Osaka, Naha (Okinawa), Ishigaki or Tarama. To visit the beaches and tour the island it is possible to rent a car or use the taxi service available. There is also the possibility of renting bicycles and scooters in the center of the island.
Yurigahama Beach – Yoron Island
In Kagoshima Prefecture, it is known as “ghost beach” because it appears and reappears on the shore of Yoron Island according to the tide. There is no fixed location and the starting point to find it is the beautiful Okaneku Beach. Tide schedules and local knowledge can help determine when and where Yurigahama Beach will appear.
Both Okaneku and Yurigahama are ideal for sunbathing and swimming on sunny days. They are located on Yoron Island in Kagoshima, which belongs to the Amami Gunto Quasi-National Park. The island is famous for its clear waters and the availability of water sports such as kayaking and diving.
Yoron Island has some curious attractions, in addition to the “ghost beach”. The tourist will find an almost Greek village and a train station to nowhere. An island tradition is to welcome visitors with the game “Yoron Kenpo”, a ceremonial drinking ritual and people who gather must drink while making a declaration following some established rules.
How to get there – Despite belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture on the mainland, Yoron is located closer to Okinawa. To get there, there are direct flights from Naha (Okinawa), or from the city of Kagoshima. There is also the option of taking a ferry that leaves from Kagoshima and stops in Yoron, en route to Okinawa. The trip takes about 20 hours. From Okinawa, the destination is a three-hour ferry ride from the Port of Motobu.
Tips for enjoying the summer on Japanese beaches
Japan has four well-defined seasons. This means that during the summer the weather is hot and the sun is not out there. Therefore, in addition to bathing suits and light clothing, it is recommended to take and abuse sunscreen.
The beaches are extremely clean and it is customary in the country not to leave dirt in public places. So it is always recommended to bring a bag to collect your own garbage.
For people who love beer, the Japanese summer is the ideal time to try the country’s varieties and cool off with a drink by the sea. Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the beaches for people over 20 years old.