The summer season in Japan can be brutally hot and whilst many just prefer to stay indoors there are some who head for the beaches to cool off in a different manner. The nearest ones for Tokyo residents are in the neighbouring prefectures of Kanagawa and Chiba but for those looking slightly further afield Shizuoka is also a possible day trip destination though a nights stay is probably recommended.

Izu is famed for its beautiful beaches with the jewel in the crown probably being Shirahama which, along with a few other great ones in that region, is located in the south of the peninsula. However, there are about five beaches further to the north which are easier for day-trippers to get to but are they any good?

Back at the end of June my wife and I decided to take the dog to Usami Beach for a short trip from our base in Ito. Despite having visited Usami numerous times I had never been on the beach. The closest I came was when I cycled past it a few years ago but did nothing more than stop to take a photo on what wasn’t a great morning weather-wise.

Fringed with lush green mountains on a bright sunny morning certainly made this beach look far more appealing than when I’d seen it before. There are various ways to access the beach but for us (coming from the station) it was done by going under the main road (Route 135) which is always a novel way for getting on to the sand.

Now it should be noted that we visited all of these beaches out of season. The actual window of opportunity for swimming at these beaches in Japan is just the months of July and August. and in true Japanese-style it is adhered to whatever the weather just before or after. In fact, a trip to a beach on a beautiful sunny day in early September will usually provide you with quite an empty beach.

Our dog still isn’t too familiar (or comfortable!) with such terrain especially the movement of the waves washing up on the shore! The clear, shallow waters are fine for both humans and dogs (?) to swim or wade in but this beach seems more popular with surfers for the most part of the year. The waves do seem to be quite small though. The estuary (?) running into the sea proved to be a better option for cooling the dog off.

Usami Beach stretches for over a mile around a beautiful curve but even in late June it was just a bit too hot for us to really enjoy it with the dog.

The other four beaches in this region of Izu are as follows:

Atami Sun Beach – Quite possibly the nicest beach in this region thanks to the light golden colour sand. It is located just 10 minutes on foot from Atami station, and for that reason it can get very very crowded in the summer months. It is about 400 metres in length with rental shops along Route 135; the main road running down the east coast of Izu Peninsula.

Nagahama Seaside Park – Far less crowded than Atami Sun Beach, this wide and spacious beach is also about 400 metres long and is just a short five minute walk from Izu Taga station on the Izu Kyuko Line. Beach huts, rental shops and food stalls are available during the limited summer swimming season.

Ito Orange Beach – This peaceful beach is less than 500 metres from Ito station, and just over a kilometre down the road from the Ito Marine Town roadside rest stop. The various statues and architectural sculptures on the shore next door at Nagisa Park are worth a look too.

Kawana Dolphin Beach – Not what some people would consider a conventional beach due to the sand being more gravel-like in appearance. Still, if you want a peaceful beach to just enjoy the sights, sounds and smell of the the ocean without distraction then this is the place! However, unlike the options mentioned thus far there are no rental shops or convenience stores too close to this one so come prepared.

Of course, if you have time then the southern parts of Izu are a better option for nicer beaches but if time is more limited or you want a quieter place then one of the beaches listed in the post may be sufficient enough.

Click here to read ‘A Spectactular Sea Cave & Thrill Seeking Sand Sledding!’

Click here to read ‘One Of Japan’s Most Beautiful Beaches Plus A Dilapidated Castle, A Loop Road & Shizuoka Cola’

Click here to read ‘One Of The Most Mystical And Picturesque Power Spots In Japan’

Click here to read ‘Down To The Southern Tip Of The Izu Peninsula’