Location: Approximately 2 hours away by jet boat from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, Tokyo. Other ferries leave from Shimoda, Shizuoka.

Niijima is one of the islands out from Tokyo Bay and is actually part of Tokyo city. Niijima is a  really popular summer desitination and is renowned for its good surf and  white sand beaches. It also has a couple of good Onsens and some lovely forest areas.

Habushi beach and Jusanshi shrine

Kamuiwaka-yu Onsen Waterfalls in Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, is literally hot water flowing down a river. The onsen spot is in a basin just under a warm-water fed waterfall.

Kinosaki Onsen is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture. The town runs along Ontani-gawa river, which is lined with weeping willow trees. It is normal to see travellers wearing geta and yukata taking quiet strolls along the river. The town is also quite well know for its seafood, especially crab.

The town has the normal ryokan but is also famous for its seven Sotoyu (or outside public bath houses). The seven Sotonoyu are all architectually very different and of a reasonable size. ?It is because of the seven Sotonoyu that many guests to the area to don Continue Reading

Minakami Onsen is a slightly run down but very pretty onsen area. It is located in the northern mountains of Gunma and although the township is fairly quiet there are some lovely little onsens in the area. Takaragawa Onsen is a highly recommended onsen. It is nestled in a valley alongside a river.

You walk outside amongst the trees to the sound of the river flowing by to get changed. There are about four large outdoor baths (rotenburo) of which the largest is mixed bathing. The water is lovely and the surrounds are stunning with the onsen being in a forest next to a river. Continue Reading

Shirahama boasts a lovely white sand surf beach, as well as an Onsen. Surfer’s paradise!  It is in the Nanki area south of Osaka. It is one of Japans oldest resorts and possibly one of the larges also. There are six public bath houses. The town itself is more like a seaside resort than a traditional onsen resort.

There are hotels lining the street facing the beach and there are even amusement parks and mini golf. The place absolutely teams with youth and families during the summer months. A fun and festive place to visit.

Photo credits: Eok.jp, Onsenexpress.com

Nyuto Onsen is located in the northern Akita prefecture. A little off the beaten track, this area is surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. During winter the place is blanketed in snow and is absolutely stunning. Less commercial than many of the onsen areas Nyuto Onsen is highly recommended.

Many of the onsens have a yesteryear feel to them and most have outdoor, rotenburo, in stunning outdoor settings. One of the oldest is Tsurunoyu, which is a pretty thatch styled onsen building. Continue Reading

Arima onsen competes with Dogo Onsen for the oldest onsen area in Japan. Arima onsen is within the city limits of Kobe. It is situated on the northern slopes of Mount Rokko and so has lovely green hilly woodlands as its backdrop.

Arima Onsen is in a very compact area and is easy to walk about.  It is a bit touristy now and many of the old facades have given way to more modern itterations. Still the water is reputed to have great medicinal qualities and there are plenty of different public baths to try out.

Photo credits: Webshots.com

Dogo Onsen claims to be Japan’s oldest onsen. Whether this is true or not, it is certainly one of the oldest in Japan. Dogo Onsen is located in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on the western coast of Shikoku. This area has been frequented since the sixth century when many artists and nobilty often visited.

Although newer bathhouses have been erected, the oldest building is over 100 years old and is the only onsen in Japan to have a special bath Continue Reading

Noboribetsu Onsen is another of Japan’s most famed onsen spots, located in  the beautiful Shikotsu Toya National Park in Hokkaido. Most of the hot water comes from Jigokudani, or “Hells Valley”, which is a moon-like valley with white sulphur deposits and plenty of steam coming from the ground. Noboribetsu is basically a one-street villiage with onsen hotels lining each side.

More than three million people visit each year. Continue Reading

Beppu in Oita prefecture, on the eastern side of Kyuushu, is probably Japan’s largest concentration of  hot springs in one area. There is a lot of geothermal activity in this area and it lends to a huge multitude of Onsens to choose from. In fact, there are over 100 onsens at which you can bathe.

Beppu is an interesting area to wander around as there is literally water and mud bubbling from the ground. It is a geothermal spectacle. The onsens come in many varieties and there are various hell courses, massage options, and even hot sand which you can lie on, or bury yourself in. Continue Reading

Aiichi  Long Beach is a well known surf spot on Japan and there are several surf competions held there during the year. There are several breaks including a really nice point break. If you like fishing there is a nice harbor to fish nearby.

Omaezaki beach is a surfing mecca for the region and is reputed to have some of the best breaks in Japan. The beach is pretty nice but if you are a surfer it is a good place to go and spend a few days.

Because of the strong winds, Omaezaki beach has some of the best windsurfing in Japan.

Other than the beach some places of interest are the famous Omaezaki lighthouse and its extensive green tea fields.

Wakayama Beach in Shirahama is about 3kms long and is quite close to Osaka. It is relatively deserted and sea turtles actually turn up to lay their eggs there. It has a toilet and shower but no stalls. It can be a little hard to find which may explain why it is still so uncrowded.

Shirahama is a popular destination in the Summer months and can get quite crowded. It is a beautiful white sand beach and has a festival atmoshphere with stalls and shops aplenty. The place to see and be seen during the summer months in the area.

Location: Northern end of Kyoto prefecture, jutting into the Sea of Japan (3 hours north of Kyoto)

The Tango Peninsula is on the north eastern top of Kyoto-fu and is host to an array of lovely beaches. The combination of sweeping white sand beaches and the distinctive shape of the hills which terminate at the beaches make this region extremely beautiful.

There are a lot of shrines and old Japanese architecture which make this stretch of coast extremely beautiful. Continue Reading

Location: Kochi prefecture (30 minutes south of central Kochi by bus)

Katsurahama beach is a breathtaking piece of coastline. Swimming is actually banned here but the scenery is beautiful and it is well worth a visit. The rocky cliffs and winding path to the Japanese Shrine at the top make this a very Japanese scene. A great place for a photo opp.

Shimoda, Izu beaches are only about 3.5 hours from Tokyo. These beaches on the Izu Peninsula are absolutely stunning. Check out Minami Ohama, Tatadohama, and Iritahama. They are all great beach spots with beautiful clear water and white sand beaches.

They are surrounded by the rocky cliffs of Izu and are very picturesque. Alll of these three beaches are popular for surfing. Make sure you make a trip to Kannon Onsen and Kanaya Onsen while you are here. Continue Reading

How to get there: Transportation is limited to Ogasawara Kaiun ferries from Takeshiba in Tokyo to Chichijima. The ferry runs every three days in each direction and takes 25.5 hours one way in good weather, but longer if the sea is rough (and it often is).

The beaches of the Ogasawara Islands are simply stunning. Ogasawara can only be reached by a 25 hour ferry ride from Tokyo. While under the protectorate of the Tokyo city it is actually on about the same lattitude as Okinawa but even further east. Continue Reading

Address: Shanadou, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun
Tel: 098 985-7115
Map

Eef Beach is located on Kumejima which is west of Okinawa island and is spotted with stunning beaches. Eef beach is by far the most photographed and well known. Kume island has a resort feel to it with some nice resort hotels and a fair bit of windsurfing and jetskiing. Continue Reading

Sunahama Beach situated in Miyakojima in Okinawa is characterized by the arch-shaped hole in the rock at one end. The beach has stunning white sand and turquoise blue waters. It is a coral beach and there is great snorkelling to be had.

Yonaha Mae-hama Beach in Miyakojima is a one hour flight or 13 hour ferry ride from Naha.  This Japanese beach in Okinawa is well known for its clear waters and fantastic diving  and has beautiful white sand and stunning turqoise waters.

Okinawa’s beaches are known to rival the beaches and warm clear water of Hawaii. This beach is a shining example of that special Okinawan beach beauty.