Wakayama Prefecture

With temperatures on the thermometer rising, heading down to a nearby beach to cool off and relax becomes more enticing. If you live in the Kansai region of Japan, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to nice beach spots within a drive of an hour or two. From tourist hotspots to hidden wonders, here’s a pick of the best ones. Nishikinohama, Osaka One of Japan’s most visually stunning beaches and named among the best examples of the city’s green spaces, Osaka’s Nishiki Beach is popular with tourists, especially during the summer months of July and August. It gets its name from the intoxicating contrast between the pale sand and the lush dark green pine trees that line the beach (nishiki means “two colors” in Japanese). Located within an hour’s drive of central Osaka, the beach forms part of a more expansive park complex. You can swim, sunbathe, stroll, enjoy a barbecue, or even sign up for water sports such as windsurfing or jet-skiing. Website: http://www.nishikinohama.com/ (in Japanese) Taganohama, Kobe If you’re looking for that perfect secluded paradise beach option, hop over to the west side of Awaji Island to Tagano Beach. While locals and tourists flock to nearby…