The Japanese beaches do not end with the islands of Okinawa. The Land of the Rising Sun offers much more along its 30 thousand km of coastline.
Jodogahama Beach, in Iwate Prefecture, is one of the most famous places for scenic beauty on the coast of Rikuchu. Its name means “beach of pure land” and is linked to the vivid contrast of sharp rocks, white, green pines and deep blue sea, compared to the Pure Land or to Paradise by a Buddhist monk named Reikyo. It is listed among the 100 best Japanese beaches, among the 100 best beaches for swimming and among the 100 perfumes of Japan.
Fukui Prefecture is home to Suishohama, known for its sparkling white sand beach. Its name means “crystal beach” and derives from the transparent waters that lap the water’s edge. It is an important center for marine sports and from the morning comes alive with the acrobatics of surfers. At night, thanks to the lack of lights, you can enjoy a starry sky without equal.
Shirahama (Shizuoka Prefecture), less than 10 km from Shimoda, is also called “white beach“. It is a beautiful coastal town very frequented by students during the summer and the weekends, as well as a meeting place for surfing lovers from all over the Kanto. Not far away is the 2,400-year-old Shirahama-jinja shrine with an impressive torii – the traditional Japanese gateway to a sacred area – at the rocky end of the beach. In short, the ideal destination for combining culture and entertainment.
Yurigahama Beach is a mysterious sand formation that appears from time to time based on the tides and is also known as “ghost beach“. Nobody knows exactly where it will appear next time or what shape it will take: the only certainty is that its white sand, formed by shells in the form of stars of marine organisms, leaves you breathless. It is 1.5 km from Okaneku Beach, which is the largest beach on Yoron Island in the southern islands of Kagoshima Prefecture. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, it allows unforgettable swimming and diving around the wonderful coral reefs.
(Credits: @JNTO)
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