Introducing the swimming beaches of Okayama Prefecture! Including the spacious Shibukawa Beach, which is about 1km long, Sami Beach, said to be the oldest swimming beach in Japan, the lively Ushimado Beach, and the remote islands of Kasaoka and the Hinase Islands!
2024.06.21Summer! It's beach season! Okayama Prefecture, which faces the Seto Inland Sea, has many beaches where you can enjoy swimming in the calm waters. We will introduce the beaches in Okayama Prefecture, including the spacious Shibukawa Beach, which is about 1 km long, Sami Beach, which is said to be the oldest swimming beach in Japan, Ushimado Beach, which is crowded with many people every year, and the remote islands of the Kasaoka Islands and Hinase Islands.
1. Shibukawa Beach (Tamano City)
This beach, with its white sand and green pines, is about 1 km long and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan" and "100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan." It is the largest swimming beach in Okayama Prefecture, attracting many people from inside and outside the prefecture every year.
Beach opening period: July 13th (Sat) - August 25th (Sun) 2024
Address: 2-5 Shibukawa , Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Car: 20 minutes from Kojima IC on the Setouchi Chuo Expressway. 70 minutes from Okayama city.
Public: Take the bus (bound for Seto Inland Sea Marine Hotel) from JR Okayama Station to Seto Inland Sea Marine Hotel, approximately 70 minutes
2. Sami Beach (Kurashiki City)
Beach opening period: July 1st (Mon) to August 23rd (Fri), 2024
Located in the southwestern corner of Kurashiki City, this beach has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan." The first artificial beach nourishment project in Japan was carried out here over a period of six years starting in 1983 (Showa 58). Nishihama, which became an artificial beach in 1989 (Heisei 1), is also a must-see spot.
*The beach may open earlier than normal.
Location: Tamashima Kurosaki, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Car: Approximately 20 minutes from Tamashima IC on the Sanyo Expressway
Public transport: Take the bus bound for Sami or Yorishima from JR Shin-Kurashiki Station for 30 minutes, get off at "Sami" and walk for 5 minutes
3. Ushimado Beach (Setouchi City)
The spacious sandy beach overlooking Maejima is popular with families. There are guesthouses in the area, and beach huts are open during the swimming season. It is also the entrance to the main approach to Ushimado Shrine, and there is a torii gate next to the beach.
Beach opening period: Mid-July to late August 2024
Location: Ushimado , Ushimado Setouchi City, Ushimado Town, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Car: 15 minutes from Oku IC on the Okayama Blue Line
Public transport: 20 minutes by taxi from JR Oku Station
4. Somma Beach ( Bizen City)
Beach opening period: Mid-July to mid-August 2024
This is a beach located in the southeastern part of Kashiwajima Island, one of the Hinase Islands. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it is easily accessible. Parking is available in the surrounding parking lots or at the municipal parking lot about a 15-minute walk away.
Location: Azumajima , Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
By car: From Bizen IC on the Okayama Blue Line, take the Kakuijima route, about 15 minutes
Public transport: 10 minutes walk from JR Hinase Station to Hinase Port. 20 minutes by Daisei Kisen Ferry, disembark at Toshima Port and walk for 10 minutes.
5. Miyanoshita Beach (Bizen City)
Beach opening period: Mid-July to mid-August 2024
It takes about 35 minutes by regular ferry from Hinase Port. The beach is located near the port of Otafushima, where the Okayama Domain's office was located during the Edo period, and is easily accessible after disembarking from the ferry.
Location: Otafushima, Bizen City-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Car/Ship: 5 minutes from Bizen IC on the Okayama Blue Line to Hinase Port. 30 minutes by Daisei Kisen Ferry, disembark at Otafu Port and walk for 5 minutes.
6. Shiraishi Island Beach (Kasaoka City )
This is one of the prefecture's best remote island swimming beaches, with a white sandy beach stretching for about 500 meters. There are guesthouses and inns lined up along the beach, which can also be used as rest areas. You can also enjoy marine sports such as sea kayaking and windsurfing.
Beach opening period: Late June to early September 2024
Location: Shiraishi Island, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Train/Ship: 7 minute walk from JR Kasaoka Station to Kasaoka (Sumiyoshi) Port, 20 minute high-speed boat ride (35 minute regular boat ride) from Kasaoka Port, 7 minute walk from Shiraishi Island. Or 20 minute walk from JR Kasaoka Station to Fushikoshi Port, 45 minute ferry ride, 7 minute walk from Shiraishi Island.
Car/Ship: 10 minutes from Kasaoka IC on the Sanyo Expressway to Kasaoka (Sumiyoshi) Port, 20 minutes by high-speed boat from Kasaoka Port (approx. 35 minutes by regular boat), 7 minutes on foot from Shiraishi Island
7. Shimoura Beach (Kasaoka City)
Beach opening period: July 7th, 2024 (Sun) - early September
This is a swimming beach on Kitagi Island, the largest of the Kasaoka Islands. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the island's port, Oura Port, but it is comfortable and uncrowded. You can spend your time relaxing at your leisure.
Address: 4975 Kitagishima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture
access:
Train and boat: From JR Kasaoka Station, walk for 10 minutes to Kasaoka (Sumiyoshi) Port, then take a 36-minute high-speed boat (55 minutes by regular boat), then disembark at Oura Port and walk for 10 minutes.
Car/Ship: From Kasaoka IC on the Sanyo Expressway, take the car to Kasaoka (Sumiyoshi) Port in approx. 10 minutes, then take the high-speed boat in approx. 36 minutes (regular boat in approx. 55 minutes), then disembark at Oura Port and walk for approx. 10 minutes.
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