10 Best Beaches in Japan

It takes about an hour and a half by boat from Ishigaki Island to Hateruma Island, Okinawa, which is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan. In the northern part of the island, near Hateruma Port, Nishihama is a beautiful beach. Unlike standard Japanese, "Nishi" means north in the local dialect. The sea that you can view glittering in the distinctive "Hateruma Blue" color is simply unforgettable. In addition to public facilities such as showers and toilets, there's also an observation deck.

Miyakojima's Yonaha Maehama, commonly known as "Maipama Beach", is very popular not only with locals but also with tourists from Japan and abroad. The fine white sands of the 7-kilometre-long sandy beach create an outstanding contrast with the sparkling sea of cobalt blue. This is also a great place to visit if you're into marine sports.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful evening scenery on Miyakojima, head to Sunayama Beach. The views of the sky, the sea, and the light of the setting sun from the famous arched rock is breathtaking. Nature doesn't get much better than this. There are also shops renting gear and selling light meals and beverages. Located close to the city centre of Miyakojima, this site is also easily accessible. There are even showers and a carpark.

Furuzamami Beach is located in the southern part of Zamami Island, a remote island that you can easily visit on a day trip from the main island of Okinawa. Coral reefs inhabited with colorful tropical fish extend through the beautiful clear blue waters as far as the eye can see. This is heaven on earth for divers and snorkelers. This is the main beach on Zamami Island and has been awarded 2 stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

This uninhabited island consists of three sandy beaches - Maine Beach, Nakano Beach and Hate Beach - and is accessible from Okinawa and Kumejima. The white sandy beaches are long and narrow, and the surrounding sea is blue and transparent. It's as if you were stepping into another world. Oh, and don't miss the sunsets here. The island is typically accessed by tour boat, and you can enjoy snorkeling, diving, marine sports, and other activities once you arrive. But the best thing is to enjoy the extraordinary space itself - a silent place with nothing but sea and sand.

Okinawa's Taketomi Island is about 10 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island. People of all ages love the shallow and calm waters of Kondoi Beach, which is the only beach on the island. From this beach, you can see Iriomote Island, Kohama Island and Kuro Island. Feel like a true castaway as you walk across the sandbar to the "phantom beach" that appears when the tide is low. This is an ideal spot to enjoy good times with your family.

There is a beach at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula that cannot be accessed by land. Ferry travel to the tents set up in Nakagi is available only during the summertime. With coral clusters in crystal-clear water and huge numbers of colorful fish, this is becoming an increasingly popular snorkeling spot. For a seaside adventure surrounded by a stunning natural environment, Nakagi is second to none.

Shirarahama, located in Nanki Shirahama, Wakayama, is a sister beach to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. This shallow beach stretches on for about 620 meters. It's hugely popular with swimmers in summertime, when the colorful parasols that decorate the beach are a sight to behold. The incredibly smooth sand here is actually quartz sand containing 90% silicic acid. As well as lovely smooth sand underfoot, there's highly transparent sea water in which to play, making for a truly idyllic location. Oh, and don't forget to check out the local gourmet food.

On the Tomori coast you'll find the "Galapagos of the Orient", a curved beach that's highly regarded as the finest in Kagoshima and Amami Oshima. It's often called the "Blue Angel" because the color of the sea almost supernaturally changes to various tones of blue depending on the time of day. The surface of the sea here is calm and soothing to look at. The beach is easily accessible from Amami Airport and is ideal for sightseeing.

The largest beach on Yoron Island, Yurigahama is a white sandy beach that appears only during the low tide (from the half tide to the spring tide) off the coast of Oganeku. The charm of the place reaches its peak when the stunning clear water glitters in the sunshine. You can get here by boat or personal watercraft. Legend has it that happiness awaits those who collect as many grains of star sand as their years of age. Why not give it a try? The mysteries of nature abound in this magical setting.