It is officially summer in Japan and if you are based in Osaka or anywhere nearby, you are probably searching for the next best beach in Kansai. Japan is well known for its boundless nature, from the bamboo forests of Arashiyama in Kyoto to the majestic Mount Fuji. As for beaches in Japan, most people think of the island of Okinawa and the surrounding islands, located south of mainland Japan. Okinawa is famous for its sprawling, white sandy beaches and turquoise water, making it one of the best beach spots in Japan.
*Check out my blog post and travel vlog about my trip to Okinawa here!
However, mainland Japan is not lacking either. Plenty of amazing beaches can be found up and down the coast of Japan. So here are the best beaches near Osaka that you should visit!
Best Beaches in Kansai
Shirahama Beach (Wakayama)
Kotohikihama Beach (Kyoto)
Omi-Maiko Beach (Shiga)
Tan’nowa Tokimeki Beach (Osaka)
Ohama Beach (Awaji Island / Hyogo)
Takenohama Beach (Hyogo)
Honorable Mentions:
Wakasa Wada Beach (Fukui)
Suisohama Beach (Fukui)
Uradome Coast (Tottori)
Read on to know more!
1. Shirahama Beach (Wakayama)
First on any list of beaches you should visit in Kansai is Shirahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture. It is one of the go-to beaches for locals and foreigners alike to enjoy the sun and sea. Shirahama beach has been called one of the best beaches in Kansai and you can see why. The white sparkling sand and the turquoise water that is calm and relatively shallow make it a good location for a nice swim or a lay in the sun.
Every summer, Shirahama beach gets quite packed with beach-goers as the town of Shirahama offers other amazing attractions to visit such as the Senjojiki Rock Plateau, Sandanbeki Rock Cliff or Adventure World which are close to the beach. Being a popular spot, the beach is well equipped with restrooms, open showers, and even open-air hot springs! Food and drinks are readily available nearby too. However, parking near the beach may be more expensive, so it might be worth it to park somewhere else and walk to the beach.
How to get there:
Take the JR Kuroshio Limited Express from JR Tennoji Station to Shirahama Station. It takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs ¥5,170. Following that, transfer to Bus No. 12 (Shirahama Tanabe Line) and get off at the Shirahama Beach stop after 14 stops. The 16-minute journey will cost ¥340, totaling ¥5,510 one-way.
Driving to Shirahama from Osaka will take between 2 to 3 hours and tolls will cost upwards of ¥4,500 depending on your starting point and route.
2. Kotohikihama Beach (Kyoto)
Located north of Kyoto Prefecture in Kyotango, this 1.8km long stretch of beach is definitely such a hidden paradise. Requiring a little trek down a slope to the beach from the nearby parking area, you will be welcomed by a calm and pristine beach. Facing the Sea of Japan, the seaside is clear of washed-up debris and calm, making it great for swimming.
As it is a little hidden, there are not many facilities available around, but restrooms and showers and a small snack shop are available. Do note that if you need to use the restroom, it is a little hike up back the slope to the restroom, which is next to the parking area. Regardless, because of its remote location, it does not get too crowded, so it is perfect if you are looking for some solitude.
*Check out my blog post and travel vlog about my trip to Kotohikihama Beach!
How to get there:
There is no public transport that goes directly to Kotohikahama. Hence, it is best to drive here. The journey would take between 2.5 to 3 hours and the toll will cost about ¥4,700.
3. Omi-Maiko Beach (Shiga)
Omi-Maiko Beach is a little different as it is a freshwater beach on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, in Shiga Prefecture. It is one of the most accessible beaches in Kansai - only a ten-minute walk from the nearest station, JR Omi-Maiko Station. The beach is lined with fir trees and the freshwater of the lake offers a refreshing break during the hot summers of Japan.
Visitors can enjoy the free usage of barbecue pits dotted along the beach. Public restrooms and a few small shops selling food and drinks are available for your convenience. Although, I recommend bringing your own items to have a full-out barbecue while enjoying the amazing view.
How to get there:
You can take a direct train, the Special Rapid Tsuruga express train, on the JR Line from JR Osaka Station to JR Omi-Maiko Station for ¥1,520. The journey will take 1 hour and 10 minutes. Upon arriving, it is then just a 10-minute walk to Omi-Maiko beach.
4. Tan’nowa Tokimeki Beach (Osaka)
Easily reached from Osaka, Tokimeki Beach makes for a convenient day trip. The expansive beach with its white sand and clean waters is a popular spot for families and groups to have barbecues, go swimming, fishing and even clamming in certain seasons. It is located in Misaki Town, south of Osaka city, and can be easily reached by the Nankai Line.
Paid restrooms and showers are available and you can even rent beach and BBQ equipment for your enjoyment and comfort. Covered picnic areas are also available, although it gets snapped up quite fast. So do come early.
How to get there:
The quickest way is to take the Nankai Limited Express train from Nankai Namba Station to Ozaki Station. Following that, transfer to the local line bound for Wakayamashi and alight at Tan-Nowa Station. You may then walk for about 25 minutes from the station to the beach, or take the free shuttle bus available during peak season. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs ¥810.
5. Ohama Beach (Awaji Island)
Awaji Island is located right off the southern coast of Hyogo Prefecture and is easily accessible from Kobe or Osaka. It is a popular spot for hot springs in the colder months and in summer, people flock to Awaji Island for the many beaches found across the island. One of the popular beaches is Ohama Beach located in the town of Sumoto.
Ohama Beach has fine, white sand and the water is clear and shallow, hence residents and visitors from nearby prefectures flock to this beach in summer. Sumoto is one of the more developed towns in Awaji Island, so you can easily find accommodation near the beach, alongside restrooms and shower facilities.
How to get there:
The only way by public transport is to take a JR West bus from the Sannomiya Bus Station in Kobe bound for Sumoto Kosoku Bus Center. Get off at the Sumoto Kosoku Bus Center and then it’s only a walking distance to Ohama beach. The 1.5-hour bus journey costs ¥1,890.
Driving to Ohama beach may take between 1 to 1.5 hours with tolls expected to be around 3,200 Yen.
6. Takenohama Beach (Hyogo)
Last, but definitely not the least, is Takenohama Beach, north of Hyogo Prefecture. Located close to the popular hot spring town of Kinosaki, Takenohama tends to be overlooked. However, this hidden gem has been voted as one of the top 100 beaches in Japan, and the beach speaks for itself. Without sounding too repetitive by now, Takenohama Beach is a beautiful, pristine beach with transparent, blue water and soft, white sand.
Swimming and kayaking are some of the popular activities here. There is even the Takeno Summer Festival held on July 30th every summer where you can enjoy a fireworks show. However, due to its secluded location, amenities and refreshments are limited, so best to bring some food and drinks. You can also easily drop by Kinosaki Onsen due to its proximity.
How to get there:
You can take the JR Hamakaze express train directly from JR Osaka Station to JR Takeno Station. Alternatively, you can take the JR Kounotori express train from JR Osaka Station to JR Kinosakionsen Station and then transfer to the local San-in Line bound for Tottori and get off at JR Takeno Station. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk. The train ride is just over 3 hours and costs ¥5,700.
Driving will take you about 2.5 to 3 hours from Osaka or Kyoto with tolls costing approximately ¥3,200.
Honorable Mentions
1. Wakasa Wada Beach (Fukui)
While technically not part of Kansai, it is located in Fukui Prefecture and borders Northern Kyoto. Hence, it is quite accessible from Kyoto and Osaka. Besides being well-known for its white sandy shoreline and clear water, it happens to be the first beach in Asia to be awarded a Blue Flag, a certification granted to beaches, marinas and sustainable boat operators for their high environmental and quality standards. If that does not convince you about the cleanliness and dazzling beauty of Wakasa Wada Beach, I do not know what will.
Wakasa Wada is fairly shallow, making it great for swimming. The beach is also conveniently decked out with many amenities, such as free restrooms, showers, beach equipment rental shops, cafes for all your snacking needs and even Wifi. You can set up your picnic mat and barbecue pit while enjoying the view of Mount Aoba in the distance.
How to get there:
Wakasa Wada is pretty accessible by public transport. There are multiple express and local trains you may take from JR Osaka or JR Kyoto Station to JR Wakasa Wada Station, which roughly takes about 3 hours and may cost between ¥4,600 to ¥6,000. So take whichever route that fits your schedule and budget.
For a cheaper alternative, you may take the bus from Umeda to Higashi-Maizuru Bus Terminal and then transfer to the local Obama train line from Higashi-Maizuru Station to Wakasa-Wada station. The journey is about 3 hours and costs ¥2,780.
Driving to Wakasa Wada beach will take about 2 hours through roads with tolls.
2. Suisohama Beach (Fukui)
Suisohama, which means “crystal beach”, is another popular beach in summer located in Fukui Prefecture. Just like its name, it is blessed with crystal clear water due to the large sand particles that keep the water from being murky. The shallow and calm shore makes it safe for children and adults alike to swim with ease. There is also a rock outcrop located on one side of the beach, resulting in shallow pools that make it a safe zone for kids to swim or an interesting background for your mandatory Instagram picture.
Suisohama is also well-equipped with all the amenities you may need, from ample parking space, shops for food and drinks, restrooms, shower facilities and even water sports for you to enjoy your time in the sun. In summer, just like most beaches on this list, it can get quite crowded so it pays to come early or on weekdays.
How to get there:
Take the JR Thunderbird express train from JR Osaka Station to JR Tsuruga Station and then take the bus bound for Shiraki and alight at Suisohama (Crystal Beach) bus stop. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs ¥5,530.
Driving will take around 2.5 to 3 hours through highways with tolls. Parking at the beach costs between 1,000 to 1,500 Yen.
3. Uradome Coast (Tottori)
Uradome Coast is located along the Japan Sea coast of Tottori Prefecture. Tottori Prefecture may be more popular for the Tottori Sand Dunes, which are naturally formed sand dunes along the coast which are quite surreal and unexpected in Japan. However, east of the Tottori Sand Dunes lies the Uradome Coast which is rich in marine diversity and natural landscapes.
Being part of the San-in Kaigan National Park, you not only get to enjoy some of the beaches here, but also the array of rock formations, marine biodiversity and small islands that line this coast. You can go swimming at Uradome Beach with its crystal clear water, or why not try out kayaking (¥5,000 for adults, ¥3,000 for children, ¥7,000 for parent & child) around the beach. You can even opt for a transparent kayak and see the marine life right below you. The clear water also makes it an ideal place for snorkelling.
How to get there:
You can take the JR Super Hakuto express train bound for Tottori Station. After that, take the local line to JR Iwami Station. You can rent a bicycle from the Iwami Travel Association. Total journey time is almost 4 hours and costs ¥7,660.
For the budget-conscious, you can take a bus from Hankyu Umeda Bus Station to Tottori Bus Terminal. Following that, take bus no. 32 bound for Kaburashima and get off at Uradome Kaiganguchi bus stop. It takes a little over 4 hours and costs ¥4,500.
Driving to Uradome Coast from Osaka will take around 3 to 3.5 hours through highways with tolls.
I hope you are inspired and all geared up for beach season this summer. Having said that, beaches are not necessarily reserved for the warmer weather. Going during the off-peak seasons, say spring or autumn for example, could be equally amazing and beautiful as you enjoy watching the sunset or enjoy the invigorating ocean breeze with the beach potentially all to yourself.
Nevertheless, don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen. Have fun!
Which beach do you want to go next?
Shirahama Beach
Kotohikihama Beach
Omi-Maiko Beach
Tan'nowa Tokimeki Beach
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