This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
All of Yamagata Prefecture's beaches are located in the Shonai region on the Sea of Japan side, in the towns of Yuza, Sakata, and Tsuruoka
This region is surrounded by the Dewa Mountains to the east, the Asahi Mountains to the south, and Mount Chokai to the north, and the rivers flowing from each of these mountains create fertile plains, making it famous as one of Japan's leading rice-producing areas
Eleven beaches will be open in the summer of 2023, and we'd like to introduce five recommended swimming spots
Kamaiso Beach (Kamaiso: Yuza Town)
From the official website of the Yusa Chokai Tourism Association
Yuza Town, located near the border with Akita Prefecture at the foot of Mount Chokai, has many artesian wells in the town center in front of the station where underground water from Mount Chokai springs up。
There is a point on Kamaiso Beach where this underground water springs up, and fresh water that is much colder than seawater gushes out, making it a rare swimming beach in Japan where you can use it to cool watermelons and drinks
The entire beach is surrounded by rocks, making it a small, hidden gem, but it's a family-friendly beach with few waves, so you can play on the rocks, and there are toilets, showers, and lifeguards on duty
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
A total of 22 statues have been carved into the rocks of Yuza Town, including the Sixteen Arhats, as well as statues of the Bodhisattvas Shakyamuni, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra, Kannon, Shaributsu, and Mokuren, making it the largest cultural heritage site on the reefs along the Sea of Japan coast
There is an observation deck along the national highway from which you can see the entire rock formation, and every year in late July, the Sixteen Rakan Festival is held here to pray for safety at sea
The rest house "Sunset Jyuroku Rakan," located in the Takadaino parking lot across the national highway, is renowned for its ramen noodles made with spring water from Mt. Chokai and soup made with flying fish stock
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
Tobishima, located off the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamagata Prefecture, is a small island with a circumference of about 10km, but it is inhabited by 210 people. The regular ferry Tobishima runs between Katsuura Port and Sakata Port on the island in 75 minutes
Tobishima Beach is known for its high transparency and is popular as a beach where you can swim with small fish up close, so it's a good idea to bring along underwater goggles and a snorkel
There are many rocky areas, so you can enjoy playing on the rocks, but you will need marine shoes to prevent foot injuries
There are marine shoes available for rent on the island, but there is only one pair in each of the five sizes, so we recommend purchasing stylish marine shoes and bringing them with you. There are also toilets, showers, and changing rooms on the beach, so you can play comfortably all day long
Tobishima Beach ＜Information＞
Beach name: Tobishima Beach
Location: Tobishima Otsu, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Phone number: 0234-26-5759 (Sakata City Tourism Division)
Swimming time: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: Thursday, July 13th to Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
Parking: None (use the parking lot in front of Sakata Seafood Market)
Sakata City Tobishima Sea Fishing Park where you can peek underwater
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
There is a pier that juts out into the sea on the southern shore of Katsuura Port, and you can enjoy fishing from there for free
At the end of the pier is Tobishima Underwater Experience Maru, Japan's first floating underwater observatory. In addition to being able to fish from the upper deck, you can also observe the seabed and schools of swimming fish from the underwater portholes on the lower deck
The entire island of Tobishima is known as a great fishing spot, but the Sea Fishing Park is recommended as it has good footing, equipment is available for rental, and beginners and children can enjoy fishing safely
Tobishima Sea Fishing Park <Information>
Facility name: Tobishima Sea Fishing Park
Address: 173 Katsuura, Tobishima-Katsuura, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
From the Sakata Tourism and Products Association official website
This beautiful sandy beach is located north of the Sakata Joint Thermal Power Plant, and is a swimming spot where you can enjoy taking photos of the wind turbines and Mt. Chokai together
There is a parking fee as a contribution, but the beach is fully equipped with toilets, showers, changing rooms and a first aid station, and during the season there are beach huts.It is also popular due to its proximity to Sakata city
The Sakata Kita Port seawall adjacent to the beach is famous as a good fishing spot within Yamagata Prefecture, and outside of the beach opening season, many anglers visit to enjoy casting from the beach
Miyaumi Beach <Information>
Beach name: Miyaumi Beach
Location: Miyaumi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Phone number: 0234-26-5759 (Sakata City Tourism Division)
Swimming time: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: July 22, 2023 (Sat) - August 20, 2023 (Sun)
From the official website of the Nippon Foundation Sea and Japan Project
Events to be held during the 2023 beach opening period include a gillnet fishing experience and Miyaumi Food Festival
The gillnet fishing experience will be held twice a day, on Sunday, July 23rd and Sunday, July 30th, for one hour from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and you can enjoy the experience of pulling a pre-set gillnet onto the beach like a beach seine
As it is a beach with good fishing spots, you can see many different kinds of fish
also be held on Sunday, July 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the beach, with many food trucks and stalls set up offering a variety of dishes including grilled seafood, steak, curry, and pasta.
Miyaumi Food Festival and Gillnet Fishing Experience <Information>
Event name: 2023 Miyaumi Beach | Miyaumi Food Festival and Gillnet Fishing Experience!
Venue: Miyaumi Beach, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Organized by: Miyaumi Regional Revitalization Planning and Proposal Organization
Address: 53 Sunahi, Miyaumi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Phone number: Not listed
Yunohama Beach (Tsuruoka City)
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
The long beach in front of Yunohama Onsen town, which has a retro Showa-era atmosphere, is one of the largest bathing beaches in the prefecture. You can enjoy swimming from a hot spring inn, making it popular with families and couples
Even if you don't stay at a ryokan, there are two day-trip hot spring baths in the hot spring town.You can also enjoy marine sports (surfing, sea kayaking, etc.), making this a beach that is popular with young people
Yunohama Beach <Information>
Beach name: Yunohama Beach
Location: Yunohama, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture (Yunohama Onsen Tourism Association)
Phone number: 0235-75-2258
Swimming time: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: Friday, July 14th to Sunday, August 20th, 2023
Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium transformed into the "Jellyfish Dream Hall"
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
Located about 5km south of Yunohama Onsen, it is home to a huge jellyfish tank that is said to be one of the largest in the world
Over 50 types of jellyfish are on display, and the sight of them dancing in swarms illuminated by blue lights will give you a mystical feeling that you won't find at other aquariums
Outside the building, in the courtyard, you can enjoy a sea lion show and there is also an area to feed black-tailed gulls
There is also Kamo Rain Beach nearby, an artificial sandy beach and rocky shore where you can enjoy swimming
Jellyfish Dream Hall <Information>
Facility name: Jellyfish Dream Hall (Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium)
Location: 657-1 Imaizumi Okubo, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
This beach is so scenic that it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan" and "100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan," and is famous for its beautiful sand and crystal clear water
The sunset over the Sea of Japan here is particularly well-known for its spectacular views, and the facility is equipped with toilets, hot showers, changing rooms, and even a water supply for camping, so you can enjoy BBQs and camping while basking in the sunset
Yura Beach <Information>
Beach name: Yura Beach
Address: 2-21-1 Yura, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
Phone number: 0235-73-2250
Swimming time: 8:30-17:00
Swimming period: July 15th (Sat) - August 16th (Tue) 2023
From the official Yamagata Prefecture tourism website
Also known as the "Enoshima of Tohoku," this island is connected to Yura Coast by a red bridge, and you can walk around the island in about an hour. From Hakusan Shrine, located at the top of the stone steps, you can see Tobishima Island offshore
The island is home to the Yura Marine Fishing Pond and the cafe Sea Terrace Yura Iso no Kaze , and the fishing pond is popular as it allows women and children to easily try their hand at sea fishing.
Yura Beach <Information>
Facility name: Hakusan Island (Yura Marine Fishing Pond, Sea Terrace Yura Iso no Kaze)
Location: Yura, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
This year, Yamagata Prefecture's beach season is scheduled to open on either the third weekend of July or the following weekend
Both beaches have coastlines stretching from north to south, so you can have fun during the day under the view of Mt. Chokai, and then relax in the evenings while watching the sun set over the Sea of Japan
Although the coastline is short, Yamagata Prefecture's beaches are rich in character, with some beaches surrounded by rocks where there are no waves and small children can play, and others with waves big enough for surfing, perfect for young people to enjoy marine sports
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
