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| SPOTLIGHT | | Wild
and naughty beaches and jungle, Wildlife,natural heritage and sun-kissed islands.
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Southern Hokkaido Area
Nagaiso Beach
This beach along National Route 229 is the gateway to Taisei from the Hakodate area. This scenic area with a series of beautiful coastlines is like an art gallery created by waves. Another impressive sight is the contrast created by the extensive sea and a number of rocks, including the famous Oyakoguma and Tanuki rocks and many nameless rocks.
Ota Beach
You can enjoy the contrast between the clear blue sea and precipitous cliffs.
Oanzai Beach
Novelist Kazuo Dan admired this 4-km-long, beautiful dark-gray beach. The view of the sun setting over the Sea of Japan is simply gorgeous. The surrounding sea is known as a good fishing point and attracts many anglers who are after flatfish and greenling. (Public toilets available.)
Ayukawa Beach
The 6-km long beach that belongs to Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park looks beautiful with a mixture of sandy and rocky sections. It is an ideal place for fishing or taking a stroll. The view of the setting sun is magnificent with the islands of Oshima, Koshima and Okushiri in the background.
Central Hokkaido Area
Ishikari Beach
This is a leading bathing resort in Hokkaido that attracts 500,000 people annually. It is located at Benten-cho Chisaki, Ishikari.
Shimamui Beach
This beach with extremely clear water has been chosen as one of the most beautiful beaches in Japan. With the beautiful water through which you can see the bottom of the few hundred meter-deep sea, the area has been designated as the only underwater park in Hokkaido.
Enoshima Beach
Jasper agate (a mineral) washed ashore in some parts of this extensive beach is highly valued as a jewel of the sea. In 1995, the beach was chosen as one of the hundred most beautiful beaches in Japan.
Ohira Beach
This beach consists of rocky and sandy areas. You can go boating on the Taihei River flowing along the beach, which is complete with a parking lot and toilets and is crowded with sea bathers in summer.
Charatsunai Beach
The seaweed research facility of Hokkaido University, which is the only one of its kind in Japan, is on this beach in the middle of the Cape Chikyu hiking course. Research mainly in the fields of taxonomy, embryology and ecology is conducted at the facility.
Masuichi Beach
The origin of the name of this beach is masui chise, which means a “house of black-tail gulls.” It overlooks Mt. Komagatake across Uchiura Bay, as well as Kamome Rock and Zo Rock, which looks like a lying elephant. It is also a place to observe falcons and other wild birds.
Hyakunin Beach
This beautiful beach is halfway between Cape Erimo and Hiroo. A large ship of the Nambu clan sank in the water near Cape Erimo, which used to be known as the most dangerous part of the sea, and many dead bodies were washed ashore on this beach. Even the few survivors died of hunger and cold. This beach was named because the total number of deaths accounted for 100 according to a legend. The area around Hyakunin Beach is colored with coastal and marsh plants from early summer to autumn.
Asari Beach
A rocky beach is exposed over a wide area along the coastline of Asari Beach at low tide. You can enjoy gathering shellfish on the tideland between April and October. * Only a few cars can be parked as there is no parking lot. Admission fees and the opening period are not specified. Kelp and sea urchin gathering is prohibited
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Top Beaches |  |
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 Zamami-jima |
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A fine place to get away from it
all, Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches, both on the island itself or a short
boat ride away. You can dive year-round, but the best time to visit is in autumn,
when most tourists have gone and while the water is still warm enough for swimming
and snorkelling. |
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| Furuzamami
Beach |
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Furuzamami beach is the best
on the island, with excellent coral and troops of multicoloured fish. In season,
you can rent snorkels at the small shop and there's also a restaurant and showers.
However, the beaches get even better on the tiny, offshore islands, such as Gahi-jima
and Agenashiku-jima, just south of Zamami. In summer (June to mid-Sept) small
boats take day-trippers out to these islands for a small fee, but out of season
you'll have to charter your own boat. |
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| Tokashiki-jima |
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Tokashiki-jima, the largest island and the closest
to Naha, attracts the greatest number of tourists, but all the islands are surprisingly
quiet outside the summer peak (July & Aug). This might not last much longer. |
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| Painagama |
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Painagama, immediately south of the harbour, but there
are much better ones around the island. Top of the list is Maehama , around 10km
south of Hirara, a long and remarkably pristine strip of soft white sand that
is hailed as Japan's best beach. |
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| Boraga
Beach |
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The next beach of note is Boraga,
reached by a steep twisting road from Route 390. It's a good spot for snorkelling
and kayaking and equipment for both is available from the attractive beachside
complex that includes a refreshment hut and a freshwater swimming pool. |
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| Okinawa
Island |
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Okinawa comprises more than
one hundred islands, stretching over 700km of ocean from Kyushu southwest to Yonaguni-jima,
almost within sight of Taiwan. Collectively known as the Ryukyu Shoto, this chain
of subtropical islands, with their lush vegetation, paradise beaches and superb
coral reefs, has become a popular destination for Japanese holiday-makers and
foreign residents alike. |
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| Yaeyama
Islands |
| Yonaguni-jima marks Japan's
most westerly point, from where it's only another 125km to Taiwan. As with the
Miyako Islands, the main reason for coming here is the spectacular diving and
snorkelling opportunities, although trekkers and kayakers will also be inspired
by the forest trails, rivers and indented coastline of Iriomote. |
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| Zamami-jima |
Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches,
both on the island itself or a short boat ride away. You can dive year-round,
but the best time to visit is in autumn, when most tourists have gone and while
the water is still warm enough for swimming and snorkelling.
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| Kamakura |
| Kamakura lies at the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Large
beaches are located just about 10 minutes from Kamakura Station by foot. The beaches
are very popular during the hot summer months when they are crowded not only with
locals but also with visitors from the close Tokyo/Yokohama area. | |
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| Kerama
Islands |
Kerama Islands are the closest
group to Naha. A knot of three large, inhabited islands and numerous pinpricks
of sand and coral, the Keramas offer some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches
in Okinawa and superb diving among the offshore reefs.
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