South Izu beaches, part 1: easy sandy beaches for families
Long white-sand beaches with lifeguards, showers and parking: Shirahama Ohama, Kisami Ohama, Tatadohama, Yumigahama and Imaihama.
The original Japanese version of this site ran a three-part series on swimming in south Izu, from easy to adventurous. This is the first part: beaches with sand, gentle entry and summer facilities (lifeguards, showers, toilets, parking) during the official swimming season, which usually runs from mid-July to late August.
Shirahama Ohama (Shimoda)
The biggest and best-known beach near Shimoda: a long arc of white sand with turquoise water, a shrine whose torii stands on the rocks at one end, and plenty of parking and cafés. Busy in August. See our full guide to Shirahama.
Kisami Ohama (Shimoda)
A wide beach backed by dunes and fields west of the centre of Shimoda, popular with surfers when there are waves and with families on calm days.
Tatadohama (Shimoda)
A sandy surf beach close to the centre of Shimoda, with good facilities. Fine for swimming on calm days; popular with surf schools when the waves are up.
Yumigahama (Minami-Izu)
A bow-shaped bay of fine sand lined with pines, shallow for a long way out: one of the gentlest beaches on the peninsula for small children.
Imaihama (Kawazu)
A sandy beach a few minutes from Imaihama-Kaigan station on the Izukyu line, so it is easy to reach by train.
General tips
- Swim only inside the flagged areas when lifeguards are on duty, and check the flags.
- Rip currents can form on surf beaches such as Kisami and Tatado; stay close to shore if you are not a strong swimmer.
- Parking fills by mid-morning on summer weekends.
Next: part 2, clear-water coves.
