Takeno 竹野町
Emerald green beaches
On the coast of the Sea of Japan, about 200km from Kyoto, a small fishing village comes alive in summer and is a must for swimming enthusiasts. This village is Takeno: 1km of sandy beach to indulge in swimming, kayaking, snorkeling or diving.
Takeno Beach, near Kinosaki Onsen, is located in the heart of San'in Kaigan National Park, and has been among the 100 most beautiful beaches in Japan dedicated to swimming since 2006.
You can choose from two sandy beaches, Takeno-Hama or Hama-Benten, to plunge into an emerald green sea, or simply sunbathe. Officially open for swimming from mid-July to mid-August, it is possible to enjoy their warm waters from late June to early September.
Takeno is part of the Global Geoparks Network supported by UNESCO. There's nothing like a canoe trip to explore the many rock formations along the coast. You can then see Hasakari Iwa, the "wedged rock": a round stone suspended between two rocks rising from the sea, Don your mask and snorkel for a snorkelling expedition, and explore the seabed...
Takeno's beaches are 15km from Kinosaki Onsen, the city of seven onsen. They are within walking distance from JR Takeno Station. For a change from the beach, visit Toyota: oriental storks were reintroduced into the area in 2005, and have become a symbol of the city. A little further is Tottori, where you can explore the famous sand dunes by camel in the Japanese desert!
