Enjoy calm tides, balmy sea breeze and good vibes at these gorgeous sandy beaches near Tokyo
Tokyo may not have a good beach to lay down your towel for a spot of suntanning or enjoy a cooling dip in the ocean. But you don’t have to travel far to enjoy some sun, sea and sand this summer. Besides popular seaside retreats such as Kamakura and Enoshima – both of which can get super crowded during the peak of summer – there are a host of other options. Sure, these beaches may be further away and will take you a little longer to get to, but we promise it will pay off with better views, softer sand and clearer water.
From seaside escapes in Chiba to the sandy shores of Shimoda, here are some of the best beaches near Tokyo – organised according to their distance from Tokyo, starting with the one closest to the city.
RECOMMENDED: The best summer destinations in Japan
The Miura Peninsula is known for its numerous seaside resorts, but they can get pretty busy during the warmer months. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Miura Beach is a great option. Sitting on the southeastern side of the peninsula, this low-key beach offers calm waves ideal for families with children. It’s also a quick six-minute walk from Miurakaigan Station, and there’s plenty of beach shops and food options in the area.
Getting there: Miura Beach is about 70 minutes from central Tokyo. Take the Keikyu main line from Shinagawa Station to Miurakaigan Station. From there, the beach is about a six-minute walk away.
While most people alight at Zushi Station for the eponymous Zushi Beach, it’s worth taking a 15-minute bus ride from the station to Hayama’s Isshiki Beach, where it’s less crowded and more beautiful. This stunning seaside retreat is surrounded by rock formations and plenty of greenery, and its proximity to Tokyo make it one of the most convenient weekend escapes. On clear days, you may even see Mt Fuji across the sea.
Getting there: Isshiki Beach is about 90 minutes from central Tokyo. Take the Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station to Zushi Station, then hop on a 15-minute bus ride and stop at Isshiki Kaigan.
You’ll know you’ve reached Onjuku Beach once you see the Tsuki No Sabaku statue of camel riders. The installation depicts two Arabian knights on camelback as a tribute to an old folk song that’s inspired by the beach. Situated in Isumi city on Chiba’s Boso Peninsula, this beach offers soft white sand and waves ideal for surfing. There are plenty of shops in the area if you wish to rent a surfboard or sign up for lessons.
Getting there: Onjuku Beach is about an hour and a half from central Tokyo. Take the Wakashio 13 Limited Express Katsuura from Tokyo Station to Onjuku Station. From there, the beach is ten minutes’ walk away.
This idyllic beach in Yokosuka, tucked away along Sagami Bay, features a mix of both sandy and rocky shores. Make your way to the northern end of the coast and you’ll discover Tateishi Park, home to the giant 12m-tall rock formation that looks stunning against the rolling waves. You’ll definitely want to stick around until sundown as this beach boasts one of the best sunsets in the area.
Getting there: Akiya Beach is about an hour and 40 minutes from central Tokyo. Take the Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station to Zushi Station, then hop on a 20-minute bus ride to the Tateishi stop.
This beach in Katsuura is worth the trek out to Chiba to marvel at the Ubara Yasaka Shrine that sits along the turquoise water. Despite being so close to the city, this beach has extremely clear water and the sand is very clean. You won’t have to travel too far to reach the beach, either. You’ll be dipping your toes in the sand after a quick seven-minute walk from JR Ubara Station.
Getting there: Ubara Beach is about an hour and 40 minutes from central Tokyo. Take the Wakashio 13 Limited Express Katsuura from Tokyo Station to Katsuura Station and switch to the local Sotobo line to Ubara Station. The beach is about a seven-minute walk away.
This serene beach in Ibaraki prefecture offers shallow waters and a wide sandy shore for sunbathing. It’s also ideal for swimming as there are lifeguards on patrol. Free bathrooms and showers are available as well as boat and parasol rentals. Come here if you want an active day on the beach – you could partake in surfing, jet skiing and other water activities. Otherwise, grab your friends for an outdoor feast at the lively barbecue area.
Getting there: Oarai Sun Beach is just over two hours from central Tokyo. Take the Hitachi 19 Limited Express Sendai to Mito Station and switch to the local Kashimarinkai Tetsudo Oarai-Kashima line to Oarai Station. The beach is another 20 minutes’ walk away.
You may need to take a shinkansen to reach this stunning beach, but it’s definitely worth the trip once you get a glimpse of the sparkling sea. Tatadohama Beach in Shimoda is a fine mixture of nature and seashore, and its rolling waves make it a popular surfing spot. There’s also a pleasant beach café, hot spring and massage options nearby. Before you head out, note that the beach is only open from July 16 to August 28 this year.
Getting there: Tatadohama Beach is just over three hours from central Tokyo. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Atami Station and switch to the local Ito line to Izu-Kogen Station. From Izu-Kogen Station, switch to the Izukyuko line for Izukyu-Shimoda Station. From there, take a seven-minute bus ride to Tatado.
This beautiful white sand beach, one of the most popular destinations along the Izu Peninsula, is known for its ideal surfing conditions. Walk along the beach and you’ll come across Shirahama Jinja, a small Shinto shrine with the sea as its backdrop. The 800m-long beach is spacious and clean, and there are convenience stores and restaurants as well as facilities to rent beach umbrellas. Turn your trip into a weekend getaway by spending the night at one of the many surrounding hotels.
Getting there: Shirahama Beach is about three and a half hours from central Tokyo. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Atami Station and switch to the local Ito line to Izu-Shimoda Station. From there, take a ten-minute bus ride to Shirahama Kaigan.
Escape the concrete and relax in some of Tokyo’s greatest green spaces
Venture into the great outdoors without leaving Tokyo, from a bamboo forest and nature parks to lush river valleys and more
Popular on Time Out
[title]
[title]
Discover Time Out original video
Follow us
About us
Time Out Tokyo
Time Out products