10 Best Beaches in Fukuoka

Fukuoka’s beaches are some of the finest when it comes to Japan’s major cities, and Shikanoshima Beach is a great place to start exploring them. You can see the grand Fukuoka Tower and the Fukuoka Dome in the distance as you relax on the white sands and enjoy the clear waters. Nets keep jellyfish away from swimmers and there are also toilets and seaside houses.

It’s easy to get to Shikanoshima Beach by bus, ferry or car. If you’d like a bit of history with your beach activities, visit the nearby Kinin Park. It’s the place where the King of Na gold seal, a National Treasure of Japan, was found in the 1700s.

On Nokonoshima Beach, located on the island it shares the name with, you are surrounded by palm trees and beautiful nature. Nokonoshima Island also has a campground if you’d like to stay overnight in a tent or a bungalow, and their summer camp is always hugely popular with kids. There’s also a beach bar for the grownups – try a refreshing sake based cocktail.

In addition to the lovely beach, there are diving boards and floating trampolines, or, if you’re feeling daring, you could even ride a banana boat. Nokonoshima is easy to get to: the ferry crossing takes only 10 minutes, and there is a free shuttle bus to the campground.

A small but delightful coastal resort, Waita Beach has a golden shoreline and turquoise waters straight from a postcard. It’s a particularly family-friendly beach with plenty of activities including surfing and snorkelling. A game of beach volleyball or building extravagant sandcastles are always good options to wear out the young (or the young at heart).

When it’s time for a bite to eat, beach umbrellas offer plenty of shade in which to enjoy your picnic, or you could head to the beachside café for snacks and drinks. Waita Beach is just over an hour’s drive from central Fukuoka city. If you visit in the summer, you could spot sea turtles laying eggs, but be careful not to disturb them.

The sands of Tsuyazaki Beach are soft and wide with gentle waves and shallow water that make it a safe place for children to play. It’s no surprise the beach is popular with local families thanks to its well-maintained restroom facilities and clean grounds. You can even relax and enjoy the view from beach huts if you need some shelter from the sun.

The beach sometimes hosts events such as football festivals and is a great place to comb for treasures and seashells. Tsuyazaki is easy to reach: the bus stop is only a couple of minutes’ walk away and it’s just a 45-minute drive from Fukuoka city centre. Our tip for photographers: sunsets are gorgeous here.

Gorgeously scenic Keya Beach has crystal-clear water that provides the perfect relaxation spot, and it’s shallow enough for children to splash in safely too. Offering public restrooms, beach huts and parking spaces, it’s a popular choice for both locals and tourists. Be sure to admire the lovely mountain views from your spot on the sand.

Nearby you can find several trendy cafés serving up the freshest, tastiest sushi and seafood. It’s easy to see why Keya Beach is one of Japan’s top 100 beaches, especially as it’s close to bus stops and about a 90-minute drive from downtown Fukuoka City. It even has an annual festival called “Sunset Live”, featuring a huge range of musicians and live art shows.

With a beautiful white torii gate and sapphire sea, it’s no wonder that Sakurai Futamigaura Beach is featured in the list of Japan’s best sunset locations. The iconic double-peaked islet joined together with shimenawa rope lying 150 metres off the shore is known as Couples Rock. It symbolises marital happiness, so the sun dipping between these peaks is a sight to capture with your camera.

One of Japan’s top 100 beaches, Sakurai Futamigaura Beach has plenty of parking nearby and is surrounded by eateries when you need a break from the sun. However, the sea’s currents are very strong so while it’s not ideal for swimming, this beach makes for a perfect romantic stroll whilst listening to the crashing waves.

Fukae Beach offers a wide expanse of white sand and pure, shallow waters that are ideal for younger family members to play around in. When everyone has exhausted themselves paddling and building sandcastles, why not gather around the barbecue area and grill up a tasty meal? For the freshest ingredients, you can net fish from May to October if you feel like catching your food personally.

Those without a penchant for fishing can still get fed, as there are plenty of nearby stalls selling food and drinks. Picnics are welcome too, with 5 huts to take shelter in and admire the mountain views. Fukae Beach is accessible by train and there are also some free parking spaces.

For a serene retreat away from the bustle of the city, head to Iwaya Beach situated in the Wakamatsu north coast. Easily accessible by both car and public transport, the sand here is a little rocky, but the waters are perfect for windsurfing, so much so that there are occasionally contests to observe.

Build a sandcastle adorned with rocks, paddle in the calm waters or stay after dusk to stargaze the clear skies. It doesn’t tend to get too busy here, so it’s a great spot to enjoy the sun with a captivating book. Delicious seafood can be bought from nearby restaurants, and the ice cream shop is a particular favourite with locals and tourists alike.

Shingu is a long, flat 2 km beach beloved by beach walkers thanks to the lush pine forest flanking the sand and the “Parasol’s Edge” trail along the forest’s border. Suitable for swimming and surfing (only permitted outside the swimming area), the inviting waters are also a good spot for snorkelling, especially in the summer when lifeguards patrol the area.

Popular with both residents and tourists, Shingu Beach offers a natural environment despite being close to town. You can pitch up a tent for some seaside camping, enjoy a delicious barbecue, or work up a sweat with beach football. The onsite beach house also offers gear rental, snacks, drinks, showers and changing rooms.

Sports fans will enjoy Nagaihama Beach, a highly popular destination for all kinds of beach sports including volleyball and football. You could even take a thrilling jet ski ride in Nagaihama Park if you feel particularly adventurous. Searching for razor clams during low tides is a favourite pastime here, so grab a bucket and get digging.

When you’re in need of scenic sunbathing, Nagaihama is a beautiful beach, with a shallow, azure blue sea and a great view of Mt. Yufu. Treat yourself to a glass of lemon sake and delicious cake at the beachside café as you soak up the sun. You can get to Nagaihama by public transport or drive there and take advantage of the free parking.