Japan on the beach: Chiba 千葉の海岸
The beautiful abandoned ones
Although only two hours from the capital, Chiba's beaches are often overlooked by Tokyoites and most tourists. Wrongly, because there are long white sand beaches where you can swim with your family, snorkel or surf. The sea is clear and warm from July to September.
The beach near Katsuura, Chiba
くろふね, Wikimedia
Chiba is a prefecture east of Tokyo, the southern half of which is formed by the Bôsô peninsula. Its coast is lined with long white sand beaches , many of which are supervised in summer. Taverns and small surf houses allow you to eat while many places are fitted out with showers and toilets. Here is our selection.
East coast beaches
- Kujukuri
Kujûkuri Beach borders the northeast coast of Chiba for more than 60 kilometers in length . Bathed by the Pacific, it is the second longest beach in Japan . It extends from Cape Gyôbu to Cape Taito and includes many beaches and capes. In addition to swimming, the coast lends itself to water sports: surfing, windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding. Many fishermen also come here.
- Ichinomiya
Ichinomiya is part of Kujûkuri and is known for its waves which attract surfers . It is bordered by a long cycle path which allows you to appreciate the coastal landscape.
- Onjuku
Two kilometers of extraordinarily white sand and waves that delight surfers and swimmers alike. Onjuku is known for its dunes and two statues erected on the beach, Tsuki no Sabaku ("the desert of the moon") representing an Arab prince and princess on camels. .
- Katsuura
It is a long beach bordering the bay of the same name which is part of the Katsuura Undersea Park. There is a nice equipped beach (with showers and toilets) not far from JR Katsuura station but, a little further north, the sandy beach of Hebara is much prettier and less crowded. You can go surfing but also snorkeling in its clear waters.
- Ubara
A long cove surrounded by hills and small cliffs . It is one of the prettiest beaches on the coast with its rocks and yet it is often almost deserted.
- Moriya
This horseshoe-shaped beach is ranked as one of the top hundred beaches in Japan . Its calm and clear waters invite you to snorkel.
- Okitsu
Very close to Kazusa-Okitsu station, this pretty sandy beach is very popular with families for its calm and shallow waters.
The west coast, going up from the south
- Okinoshima
Okinoshima, as its name suggests (shima means island) was originally an islet which was naturally attached to the coast by a strip of sand which was formed during the great Kanto earthquake in 1923. At the end from the beach, what was the islet is still covered with trees and forms a charming landscape that is easy to explore. The warm, clear waters are home to a rich and diverse aquatic fauna and Okinoshima is the northernmost place in the world where you can see corals . It is therefore the ideal place for snorkeling or simply swimming around this small piece of land.
- Iwai
The sea is calm and shallow, which makes it one of the favorite places for family outings. It is therefore one of the busiest beaches in Chiba .
Going up the coast you will still find many beaches, often almost deserted, but some are not suitable for swimming. This side of Chiba is also known for its hot springs .
For further :
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
By train: from Soga station (which is connected to Tokyo station by the JR Keiyo line) the Uchibo line runs along the west coast, which faces Tokyo Bay. The Sotobo line runs along the east coast which overlooks the Pacific.
