What other travelers are saying about Takenohama Beach
I visited here on late autumn as in laws live here. The quietness of the beach is the best with the gentle cold breeze blowing. This is a sight I can't easily experience in my tropical home country in the Philippines. There's a coffee shop walking distance away, a seaside hotel, souvenir shop and a shrine nearby. You can also walk around and find a Lawson and a small grocery store and a seafood shop named Burizen. It really is a very quiet town but I like it that way as contrast from where I am in Cebu, Philippines.
Bonus points: If you speak decent Japanese, the locals are really a warm, friendly bunch. Reminds me of my own elderly neighbors i some way.
beach was underwhelming, better off visiting surrounding areas such as yodo sea cave and hasakari rock observatory. DId not read google maps instructions carefully... what was a 45 minute bike ride from Kinosaki station became a 1.5 hour ride due to going up hill the mountain in deserted area. However, the exercise was well worth as we got to explore the surrounding area.
Didn’t get to go for a swim because it was cold but the water was very clear and the sand was very white! There is also a lot to do in the town besides lay which is nice (diving, snorkeling, hiking the peninsula, onsen).
The beach is officially open for swimming from early July through August. During this period, lifeguards are on duty and facilities are fully operational. While you can visit the beach year-round to enjoy the scenery and coastal walks, swimming outside the official season is not recommended due to safety concerns and colder water temperatures.
From Osaka or Kyoto, take an express train to Toyooka Station (approximately 3 hours), then transfer to a local train to Takeno Station (20 minutes). From the station, it's a 15-25 minute walk to the beach. Alternatively, the Hamakaze Express provides direct service from Sannomiya Station in Kobe, taking about 2.5 hours. Bicycle rentals are available at Takeno Station for easier beach access.
Beach access is completely free. There are no entrance fees to enjoy the beach, swimming area, or coastal walking paths. However, specific activities like geo canoe tours, equipment rentals for water sports, and bicycle rentals from the station may have separate charges.
Popular activities include sea kayaking, geo canoe tours that explore unique rock formations and sea caves, and hiking to the Nekozaki Peninsula for panoramic views. The beach is also excellent for photography, particularly of the famous Hasakari Rock formation. Visitors can explore the nearby Salt Workshop to learn about traditional salt-making techniques that were once important to this region.
Takenohama Beach is recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Beaches and attracts over 300,000 visitors annually. It features exceptionally clear waters and pristine white sand extending for one kilometer. The beach is part of the San'in Coast Geopark, offering unique geological formations and diverse marine ecosystems. Its tombolo formation creates distinctive geography, and the location provides spectacular sunrise and sunset views over the Sea of Japan.
