What other travelers are saying about Nagata Inakahama
Really neat to see the beach where apparently 40% of all North Pacific Loggerhead turtles are born. Gorgeous steep beach banks with picturesque rocks in the water, so make sure to walk out and down rather than just peek from the parking area. 24 turtles laid eggs last night in a fenced off area and you can see their trails along the steep sand slopes (look like skinny sled paths flanked by flipper "prints". Outside the bathroom are two faucets for rinsing off sand form your feet.
It's a beach when sea turtles come to spawn at certain times of the year.
Came in early April on an evening to watch the sunset, literally had the whole beach to myself. It's got great views and a fair bit of parking space. No food or drinks nearby though, so do bring those if you're planning to stay for long.
Very serene beach. Good to relax and walk along the beach in the morning. Not very busy as well. There are a few cafes nearby too, if needed.
We were just 2 people, walking alone in the beach, sitting on the rocks, and relaxing on the sand. There were few people fishing a bit away.
Bus stop is tight in front of the beach, so easily accessible, even though the bus frequency is very low. Also, it is just a 15 min walk from Nagata village.
Overall, highly recommended of you want to relax peacefully on a pristine and calm beach.
The turtle-watching season runs from mid-May until mid-July, with peak nesting occurring from June to mid-July. Baby turtles hatching and making their way to the sea can be witnessed between late July and early September. During peak season, more than 20 loggerhead turtles with a total length of one meter or more may visit the beach in a single night to lay their eggs.
No. Beach access is prohibited between 20:00 and 5:00 the following morning from May 1 to September 30 in accordance with the Nagata Beach Sea Turtle Observation Rules. You cannot enter the beach at night between May 1 and August 31 without joining an official tour, and attempting to do so may result in a heavy fine. This strict regulation protects the sensitive turtles during their nesting cycle.
There is a strict ban on any lights, mobile phone use, photography, or filming during the tour, as turtles are extremely sensitive to light. Visitors must follow the guidance of trained NPO guides who patrol the beach and only call participants onto the sand once a turtle has begun laying eggs. Kagoshima Prefecture ordinances prohibit taking sea turtles or turtle eggs, and picking up baby turtles is considered illegal capture.
Reservations must be made through the Nagata Sea Turtles Association, with bookings accepted from April 1 through July 31. Contact them via their website at nagata-umigame.com or by phone at 0997-45-2280 between 13:00 and 17:00. Tours are limited to a specific number of participants each night as a conservation measure, so advance booking is essential during nesting season.
While Nagata Inakahama is a beautiful beach year-round with scenic views, it is generally not recommended for swimming due to strong waves and currents. The beach is primarily valued as a conservation site and sunset viewing location rather than a swimming destination. Visitors looking to swim with sea turtles should consider nearby Isso Beach instead, which has lifeguards and facilities during summer months.
