photo by hiroshi ataka
July is about to come to an end. First timers in Japan must have been overwhelmed by shocking summer heat. Among all other regions of Japan, Kansai region, where the most popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka and Nara gather in, is typically infamous for hot and humid climate due to its landform surrounded by hills. Even though there are so many way to beat summer heat such as eating ice-cold food or staying in air-coned room, nothing can be better than just soak in the cold water under blue sky. So, this column will explore the best beaches that are perfect for a day trip by train from Osaka.
Tannowa Beach (Osaka prefecture)
Opened in 1904, this popular beach with a long history in Kansai area is well-known for its beautiful white beach and greenish blue sea water. It is located south-west of Kansai airport overviewing the Sky Gate Bridge R. Visitors can purchase or rent all they need from a beach shop including food, drinks, floating tube and umbrella during opening period. Also, lifeguards stay on the beach to supervise during weekends in July and all days in August. There are many events such as Osaka Marin Festival and lifesaving workshop as well as facilities for visitors including barbeque area and beach volley ball coats. It takes rather long 12-minnutes walk from the nearest “Tannowa” railway station, though free shuttle buses are scheduled some of weekends.
Opening period: Saturday 1st July to Thursday 31st August 2017
Opening hours: 8:00～17:00
Address: Tannowa, Sennangun Misakicho, Osaka
Access: 1 hour from Nankai Line “Nanba” station to Tannowa” station, then walk 12-minutes
※Free shuttle busses are scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 15th July to 20th August (Check time table).
Tannowa Beach official website
Nishiki Beach (Osaka prefecture)
Long spread white sand beach and deep-colored sea water. It is not just a great scenery that makes Nishiki Beach so popular, a handy access from Osaka city is a great advantage of visiting this beach. Just 30-minutes train ride from Nanba station brings you to the nearest railway station and total travel time is only 40-miutes including walking time from the station. On the 1km wide spread beach, there are paid change rooms, shower rooms, a beach shop and baggage check. At the barbecue site beside the beach, visitors can purchase meat and vegetables to start their barbecue right away without bringing their own tools or food.
Opening period: Friday 7th July to Thursday 31st August 2017
Opening hours: 9:00～16:45
Address: 859-1 Sawa Kaizuka, Osaka
Access: 30-minutes from Nankai Line “Nanba” station to “Nishikinohama” station then walk 10-minutes
Nishiki Beach official website (Japanese)
Suma Beach (Hyogo refecture)
Every year, 800 thousand people visit this city beach. There is a seaside park and aquarium next to the beach, this place is always recognized as a peaceful oasis visited by local people throughout a year. There used to be a serious littering issue with a load of trash on the beach, but the landscape has been a lot improved by continuous efforts of the local community to maintain the beach clean. There are strict restrictions on smoking, entry of motor vehicle and alcohol drinks on the beach to protect the environment as well as many other rules. Barbecue is not permitted. Visitors can purchase food and drinks, or use paid shower and baggage check at any of 30 beach houses.
Opening period: Thursday 13th July to Thursday 31st August 2017
Opening hours: 9:30～17:00（Mon-Fri）、9:00～17:30（Weekend & public holiday）
Address: Wakamiya-cho Sumaura-dori, Suma-ku Kobe, Hyogo
Access: 40-mimutes from JR Sanyo Line “Osaka” station to “Suma” station, then short walk south
Okurakaigan Park (Hyogo prefecture)
This is another city beach of Hyogo prefecture locating within Okurakaigan Park which is just a few minutes’ walk from JR Asagiri station. The park has a multi-purpose ground and barbecue site for various activities. Okurakaigan Park is located near Awaji Island overviewing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The great view of the bridge is not just for daytime, but a night view of the illuminated bridge is also breathtakingly beautiful. The beach is open for sea bathing until 17:30 daily, but many visitors stay there after that to enjoy the night view. This new sight-seeing spot of Akashi city has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years.
Opening period: Saturday 8th July to Sunday 27th August 2017
Opening hours: 8:30～17:30
Address: 1-chome Okurakaigan-dori, Akashi, Hyogo
Access: 55-minutes from JR “Osaka” station to “Asagiri” station, then walk 3-minutes
Okurakaigan Park official website (Japanese)
Kada Beach (Wakayama prefecture)
Gentle surfs wash the shore filled with super fine white sand. From Kada Beach, Awaji Island and Tomogashima Islands are clearly visible in the sea ahead. This beach is particularly popular among families as the sea is generally calm surfs are gentle. You don’t have to bring many things to come here as almost everything you need can be purchased or hired, there are changing rooms, shower, baggage check service, rental boats and floating tubes, umbrellas and tables. You can enjoy barbecue of course, and furthermore, you can even hire a tent to stay overnight. If you can spare plenty of time, why don’t you stay a few days in the peaceful nature of Kada to see a beautiful sunset or starry night sky.
Opening period: Saturday 1st July to Thursday 31st August 2017
Opening hours: 9:00～17:00
Address: Kada Kitahama, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama
Access: 1 hour 40 minutes from Nankai Line “Nanba” station to “Kada” station, then walk 15-minutes
Kada Tourist Association (Japanese)
V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N!
Now summertime is in bloom, beaches have been being opened for swim since the beginning of July. Osaka Bay and the Harima Sea, protected from rough waves of the ocean by Awaji Island, are filled with lovely public beaches with gentle surf. Many of those beaches can be easily accessed by train from Osaka without flight or ferry ride. So, why not quickly drop by one of those beaches after visiting sweat drenching Kyoto and Osaka to swim in the fresh water or sunbathe on white sand?
Related Article:
Summer is here! 4 Beaches Perfect for a Day Trip from Tokyo
