Six recommended beaches in Okayama Prefecture. Enjoy summer to the fullest on the Seto Inland Sea beaches!

Introducing beaches in Okayama Prefecture! From the spacious Shibukawa Beach, boasting a length of approximately 1 km, to Sami Beach, said to be the oldest beach in Japan, to the lively Ushimado, and the remote islands of Kasaoka and Hinase!

Written by

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!

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• Table of Contents
• 1. Shibukawa Beach (Tamano City)
• 2. Sami Beach (Kurashiki City)
• 3. Ushimado Beach (Setouchi City)
• 4. Outer Ring Beach (Bizen City)
• 5. Miyanoshita Beach (Bizen City)
• 6. Shiraishi Island Beach (Kasaoka City)

1. Shibukawa Beach (Tamano City)

This beach, boasting approximately 1 km of white sand and pine trees, has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Beaches" and "Japan's Top 100 Swimming Beaches." It is the largest swimming beach in Okayama Prefecture, attracting many people from both within and outside the prefecture every year.

Beach season: July 11th (Sat) - August 23rd (Sun), 2026

Location: 2-5 Shibukawa , Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture

access:

By car: Approximately 20 minutes from Kojima Interchange on the Seto- Seto Expressway. Approximately 70 minutes from Okayama city center.

Public transportation: From JR Okayama Station, take a bus (bound for Setouchi Marine Hotel) to Setouchi Marine Hotel (approximately 70 minutes).

Shibukawa Beach (Shibukawa Coast)

2-chome Shibukawa, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture 706-0028

The coastline is approximately 1km long with white sand and green pines, and has been selected as one of Japan's ``100 Best Beaches'' and ``100 Best Swimming Beaches.'' It is also famous as a place where you can enjoy marine sports such as sailing and windsurfing throughout the year.

2. Sami Beach (Kurashiki City)

Beach season: July 1st (Wed) - August 23rd (Sun), 2026

Located at the southwestern tip of Kurashiki City, this beach has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Beaches." Nishihama, which became an artificial beach in 1989 after Japan's first artificial beach nourishment project was carried out over six years starting in 1983, is also one of its highlights.

*The opening period for swimming beaches may be earlier than scheduled.

Location: Tamashima Tamashima Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

access:

By car: Approximately 20 minutes from Tamashima Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway.

Public transportation: Take a bus bound for Sami or Yorishima from JR Shin- Kurashiki Station (approximately 30 minutes), get off at "Sami" bus stop, and walk for approximately 5 minutes.

Sami Beach

Tamashima Kurosaki, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 713-8126

Said to be Japan's oldest beach, this beautiful sandy beach has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches, and is visited by many swimmers every year. Nishihama, where Japan's first artificial beach nourishment work was carried out over a six-year period starting in 1983 (Showa 58), and which became an "artificial beach" in 1989 (Heisei 1), is also one of the highlights.

3. Ushimado Beach (Setouchi City)

This spacious sandy beach, with its view of Maeshima Island, is popular with families. There are guesthouses nearby, and beach huts are open during the swimming season. It is also the entrance to the main approach to Ushimado Shrine, and a Torii (Shrine gate) stands beside the beach.

Beach season: July 11th (Sat) - August 23rd (Sun), 2026

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Ushimado Ushimado Town Setouchi City , Ushimado

access:

By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Okayama Blue Line Oku Interchange.

Public transport / Approximately 20 minutes by taxi from JR Oku Station

Ushimado Beach

Ushimado, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture 701-4302

The spacious and relaxing beach overlooking Maejima and the calm Seto Inland Sea is a popular spot for families. The beach house is open during the swimming season.

4. Outer Ring Beach (Bizen City)

Beach season: Mid-July to mid-August 2026

This is a beach located on the southeastern part of Hinase Island, one of the Hinase Islands. It is easily accessible as it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Parking is available in nearby parking lots or at the municipal parking lot located about a 15-minute walk away.

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Hinase-cho, Hinase Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture

access:

By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Bizen IC on the Okayama Blue Line, via Kakui Island.

Public transportation: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Hinase Station to Hinase Port. Approximately 20 minutes by Taisei Kisen ferry, then approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kashirajima Port.

Kashirajima island

701-3204 Hinase, Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture

A gently hilly island located 4km south of Hinase Port, Bizen City. It is the most populated of the Hinase Islands and is a small island with a circumference of 4 km. You can enjoy leisure activities that take advantage of the rich nature, such as swimming in the sea, collecting clams, fishing, and picking oranges.

5. Miyanoshita Beach (Bizen City)

Beach season: Mid-July to mid-August 2026

It's about a 35-minute ferry ride from Hinase Port. Located near the port of Otafu Island, where the Okayama Domain's administrative office was located during the Edo period, this beach offers convenient access after disembarking.

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Hinase-cho, Hinase Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture

access:

By car/ferry: Approximately 5 minutes from Bizen IC on the Okayama Blue Line to Hinase Port. Approximately 30 minutes by Taisei Kisen ferry, disembark at Otafu Port and walk for about 5 minutes.

Otabujima Island

701-3203 Otafu, Hinase-cho, Bizen-shi, Okayama Prefecture

An island located 6 km south of Hinase Port, Bizen City. Located at the southernmost tip of the Hinase Islands, it was the residence of the Okayama clan during the Edo period. There is a nature trail that goes around the island, and if you take a stroll, you can see historic sites such as the Toro-do Hall and Roxagonal Well that remind you of the bygone era.

6. Shiraishi Island Beach (Kasaoka City)

This is one of the prefecture's premier island beaches, boasting a white sandy shoreline stretching for approximately 500 meters. Guesthouses and inns line the beach, offering convenient rest areas. Marine sports such as sea kayaking and windsurfing are also available.

Swimming season: July to the end of August 2026

Location: Okayama Prefecture , Kasaoka City, Okayama Shiraishi Island

access:

By train and ferry: From JR Kasaoka Station, it's about a 7-minute walk to Kasaoka (Sumiyoshi) Port, then about a 20-minute high-speed ferry ride (about 35 minutes by regular ferry), disembarking at Shiraishi Island and walking for about 7 minutes. Alternatively, from JR Kasaoka Station, it's about a 20-minute walk to Fushikoshi Port, Kasaoka about a 45-minute ferry ride, disembarking at Shiraishi Island and walking for about 7 minutes.

By car/ferry: Approximately 10 minutes from Kasaoka IC on the Sanyo Expressway to Kasaoka(Sumiyoshi) Port, approximately 20 minutes by high-speed ferry (approximately 35 minutes by regular ferry) from Kasaoka Port, then approximately 7 minutes on foot from Shiraishi Island.

Shiroishijima Beach (Nishinoura)

Nishinoura, Shiroishijima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture 714-0036

It is one of the most beautiful remote island beaches in the prefecture, with approximately 500 meters of white sand and clear water. You can enjoy marine sports such as sailing, windsurfing, and sea kayaking. The sea opens in early July every year.

Shiraishijima Island

714-0036 Shiroishijima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture

An island located approximately 16 km from Kasaoka Port. It is located in the center of the Kasaoka Islands, which are more than 30 islands scattered off the coast of Kasaoka, and is the center of the landscape. It is said that it came to be called Shiroishi Island because the granite surface looks like it is covered with white snow from a distance. Also, Shiroishi Island, known as a scenic spot in the Seto Inland Sea National Park, is visited by many people for summer marine leisure, hiking trails, a temple connected to Kobo Daishi, and the fantastic Shiroishi Dance.