Beaches around Nagoya

Jun 19, 2023

Beaches around Nagoya

For many people, nothing says summer like a trip to the beach, and though Aichi isn’t necessarily famed for its beaches, there are plenty of lovely places where you and the family can play in the sea and catch a few rays.

Shinmaiko Marine Park

The nearest beach to Nagoya, Shinmaiko Marine Park, is perhaps the most conveniently located for city dwellers. While it is an artificial beach, it is no less lovely for it. There is a sizable barbecue area that you can rent out, and charcoal can be supplied at a small additional cost.

However, if the barbecue isn’t your thing, there are food stands selling refreshments. For those who don’t like the feeling of sand between the toes, there is a large grassy area on which to lounge, and for the more energetic of you, you can take advantage of the extensive beach volleyball courts.

Getting there: Get off at Shinmaiko Station on the Meitetsu Tokoname Line and walk 10 minutes across Fine Bridge. (map)

Contact: 0562-56-3980

Ono Beach

One never feels more affinity with society’s upper echelons than when lounging on the beach. Wherever we are, we never feel far from George Clooney on Lake Como or families royal in St Tropez. Well, at Ono Beach, you can feel like a Shogun. Said to be the world’s oldest sea bathing spot, the ruling Owari and Tokugawa clans visited this 500×100 meter beach.

While its historical importance may be of interest to some, the magnificent sunset turning the ocean a glorious red is perhaps the greatest draw of this location. Okay, it’s not the prettiest beach in the world, but there are loads of beautiful temples in the area – 68, to be exact. So after a day lounging on the beach and eating at The Blue BBQ, why not go explore?

Getting there: Get off at Onomachi Station on the Meitetsu Tokoname line and walk for 5 minutes (map)

Contact:0569-42-1816

Utsumi Beach

The biggest in the Tokai area, Utsumi Beach is arguably the most popular. Visited by approximately 500,000 people each year, it was chosen as one of the top 100 beaches in Japan, and it is not hard to see why. The coast stretches 2km along Chidorigahama and Higashiyama areas, with over 30 seaside clubhouses and hotels.

In recent years it has gained a reputation for being dirty; however, a couple of years ago saw a major clean-up initiative bringing the sparkle back to the sea. A word of warning: September is jellyfish season, so be careful!

Getting there: Get off at Utsumi station on the Meitetsu Chitashinsen Line. Walk 15 minutes or take a bus and get off at Utsumi-kaigan stop. From there, it is a three-minute walk. (map)

Contact: 0569-62-0403

Nisaki Beach

Should you be skeptical of the effectiveness of Utsumi’s claimed clean-up, perhaps Nisaki Beach is the place for you? With consistently high marks in the annual water quality surveys and dazzling white sands, Nisaki is popular with families for its calm waves and the lifeguards that patrol them. There is even a small camping site nearby.

Getting there: Get off at Mikawa Tahara Station on the Toyohashi Tetsudo Atsumi Line, from where you can take a 15-minute taxi ride. (map)

Contact: 0531-23-3516

Nishiura Palm Beach

As family-friendly as a beach can get, Nishiura Palm Beach is a hop, skip, and jump from Gamagori and worth the trip out there. Set in a horseshoe harbor, the white sand beach may be small, but it is packed with local amenities, such as a beachside restaurant that serves, amongst others, great curry and rice. Furthermore, there is a lovely little cocktail bar, at which you can sit and enjoy a wide range of drinks, including ‘adult shaved ice’ (which is not as rude as that sounds.

There are onsite showers available, so you don’t have to face the trip home covered in sand, or you can even stay in the area, as this onsen town has many quaint ryokan hotels.

Getting there: The beach is an eight-minute bus ride from Nishiura station, which you can get to from Nagoya on the Meitetsu line (map)

Contact: 0533-57-2195

Kira Waikiki Beach

Kira Waikiki Beach is a picturesque beach with a serene and relaxing atmosphere. With its soft golden sands and crystal-clear waters, it is an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying water sports. Palm trees sway in the breeze giving it such a tropical atmosphere that it was officially named “Kira Waikiki Beach” in 2006 with the permission of the Hawaii State Tourism Bureau. The colorful promenade and beach greenery are in great condition and possess all the required facilities,  including showers and changing rooms. The surrounding natural beauty and the gentle sound of waves create a soothing ambiance, making it a perfect getaway for those seeking tranquility and coastal charm.

Getting there: A 25-minute walk from Mikawa-Toba Station. Get to Mikawa-Toba from Nagoya by Meitetsu line, changing at Kira-Yoshida. (map)

Shiroya Beach

Shiroya Beach has a 600m shoreline, within which there is a 60m manmade sandy area. Newly developed in 1997, the surrounding palm trees give a real feeling of being in an upscale resort. There is a seaside park play area for children, and the water is particularly clean. The sand is, however, coarse-grained sand, so more sensitive children may require footwear at all times.

Getting there: Get off at Mikawa Tahara Station on the Toyohashi Tetsudo Atsumi Line. Take a taxi for about 10 minutes (map)

Contact: 0531-23-3516

Coconuts Beach Irago (Irako)

On the north side of the Irago Cape lighthouse, Coconuts Beach Irago is considered to be the best beach in the Atsumi peninsula. With 350m of white sand and clean water it is popular with visitors of all ages, particularly for the beautiful sunset and the large grassy area that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Getting there: Get off at Toyohashi Station on the JR or Meitetsu Lines. Take a Toyotetsu bus and get off at Irago Park-mae stop. The beach is a 2-minute walk from there. (map)

Contact: 0531-23-3516

Himakajima Island

Himakajima Island is famous all year round for its stunning scenery and its interesting cuisine – fresh seafood, octopus aplenty, and ‘fugu’ pufferfish in season. But in summer, it is popular for its two beaches, Sunrise Beach on the east of the island and Sunset Beach on the west. Both are small, fun-for-the-family beaches, with the latter perhaps the nicest and most convenient, being as it is closest to the best restaurants and a great little ice cream shop.

Getting there: Kowa Port is a five-minute walk or shuttle bus from Kowa Station, and from there, it takes 20 minutes on a high-speed ferry to the island. (map)

Contact: www.himaka.net

 

Most beaches close some of their services in September. For further details, contact the relevant tourist information centers on the above numbers or check the websites.

Images: Mark Guthrie (own work)
Image:  by Tiffany Key (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via flickr.com
Image: flickr.com “IMG_0416.JPG“ by fisshaasan (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Image:  by Bong Grit (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via flickr.com