**Cowabunga baby!**
Surf’s up so splash on some suntan lotion and grab a towel, it’s time to hit the beaches! Fukuoka is blessed with a great coastline so use this guide and map to find the perfect beach for you and your friends.
Hit the Beach – But!
1. Keep it Clean
Follow the cardinal rule of all beachgoers: “leave nothing on the beach but your footprints.” That includes bottles, cans, cigarette butts… Burying them in the sand is not acceptable! Always bring a bag as there might not be trash cans, especially at some of the more remote beaches. Set a good example and keep Fukuoka’s beaches beautiful.
2. Fires, BBQs & Camping
Obey the signs on the beaches, and if you’re not sure, put those firelighters away! With the exception of the BBQ pits set up by local authorities, BBQs are officially prohibited. If you do have one, be sure to clean up. Camping is prohibited on all beaches, and if you do feel like spending the night, make sure to leave the area spotless.
3. Party!
Remember, this is Japan, not Ibiza. Downing crates of beer and having headbutting competitions with your friends is not encouraged. Topless bathing or sunbathing is not popular either. Feel free to express your culture but respect others too.
4. Play it Safe
Most beaches here do not have lifeguards, so swim with a buddy. Give consideration to tides, undertow, sharp shellfish, and ouch! those nasty jellyfish which appear in mid-August and scare away anyone but the hardiest of locals. Also be aware of the scorching Kyushu sun and lightning storms – both could ruin a fun day at the beach.
FUKUOKA NOW SUMMER BEACH GUIDE 2007
Keya
Very pleasant and well-protected cove with sandy beaches. Public toilets, uminoie (beach huts), and parking make it ideal for families. Fishing port with restaurants nearby.
Parking: 240 vehicles (free)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut (supervised from 9:00 ~ 18:00)
Access: Take a Showa bus from JR Chikuzen-maebaru Stn. to the final stop at Keya (30 min.). From there, it’s an 8-minute walk to the beach.
Niginohama
Long, natural, and un-crowded, this is our choice for “Best Beach.” Several access points through pine forests. Some of the best surfing spots. At the far east side, Natty Dread’s amazing BBQ Jerk Chicken & burgers are great!
Parking: 180 vehicles (1,000 yen/day on Sat., Sun. & holidays)
Facilities: toilet
Access: Drive to Maebaru IC, head in the Shima direction along Kendo 12. Go straight at the intersection in front of Shima town office, and turn left at Nogita intersection in front of 7/11. 50 minutes from Tenjin.
Nogita
Quiet set of coves with sandy beaches that have become more popular as cafes have set up nearby, like the funky “Cadillac Ranch” cafe, the mobile kitchen “Hinode” that serves great tacos, and “Current,” a full-sized beach cafe with great views and its own bakery! Good swimming and surfing too!
Parking: 200 vehicles (small fee)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, small shop
Access: Take a Showa bus for Tani from JR Chikuzen-maebaru Stn., and get off at Nogita (approx. 25 min.). From there it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Futamigaura
Excellent waves and the widest choice of cafes and uminoie (beach huts) in Itoshima, including the legendary Sunset Caf, with killer sunsets of course. Also the site of the famous meoto-iwa, the “husband and wife” rock shrine.
Parking: 50 vehicles (free), others at a small fee
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: Take a Showa bus from JR Chikuzen-maebaru Stn. to Imuta (30 min.). From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the beach.
Obaru
Cleaner and less crowded than Momochi, yet just outside the city. Jet-skis often buzz around. The view of Hakata Bay is impressive, and fireworks are permitted until 10 pm.
Parking: 300 vehicles (free)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: Take a Showa bus from Imajuku Stn. and get off at Obaru Kaisuiyokujo-mae (43 min.). Then walk for 1 minute.
Nagatare
With consistently strong winds, Nagatare is popular with windsurfers and other marine sports fans.
Parking: 100 vehicles (free)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, barbecue facilities
Access: From Imajuku Stn. (JR Chikuki Line), walk 10 min. to the beach.
Ikinomatsubara
Long beach (about 2km) set in from a pine forest near Imajuku Stn. Not a big wave beach, so ideal for wake boarding, BBQ’ing and just hanging out.
Parking: 100 vehicles (free)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, barbecue facilities
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Shimoyamato, and then it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Nokonoshima
This island has several beaches, the largest of which is part of Nokonoshima Island Park, and has all the facilities a family with kids could want, including bungalows for overnight stays. The bungalows are available from May 1 to mid-September and can be reserved from April 1.
Parking: none
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, small shop
Access: Take a Nishitetsu bus to the Nokonishima Ferry Terminal. The ferry crossing takes 10 min., and then take the free shuttle bus to the Nokonoshima Camp Ground (5 min.).
Seaside Momochi
Golden sands, parks, restaurants and a multitude of nearby recreation spots make this one of Fukuoka’s favorite places in summer. Sunbathers, rollerbladers, smoochy couples and toddlers alike vie for space on the beach and promenade.
Parking: many coin parkings around
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: A good 15-minute walk from Nishijin subway station. Nishitetsu buses makes frequent stops in front of Fukuoka Tower as well.
Fukuhama
A tiny sandy beach that is close enough to Tenjin to make a lunch hour sun bathing session possible. Special zone for BBQ’ing and fireworks. Convenient!
Parking: some parking spaces
Facilities: barbecue facilities
Access: Take a Nishitetsu bus to Fukuhama Stn., then it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Katsuma / Shirase
This charming golden-sand beach, separated from the main road by lush greenery, remains unspoiled and clean. Snorklers and divers will prefer the rocky Shirase beach, which has navigation ropes in the water leading to prime underwater sights.
Parking: 50 vehicles in total (some areas require a small fee)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Saitozaki. Then take a Nishitetsu bus to Kyukamura Shikanoshima (25 min.).
Uminonakamichi
Long, narrow. sandy beaches on the east side of the artificial land bridge to Shikanoshima. No developments or shops and strong winds can make for choppy waters, and hence there’s almost never a crowd. No swimming allowed.
Facilities: none (Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is close by)
Access: 15- minute ferry ride from Marizon (Momochi) or Bayside Place (Hakata Futoh), or take a train from JR Hakata Stn. to JR Uminonakamichi Stn. (45 min.)
Gannosu
Large golden sand dunes make this beach very unique and picturesque. Not much in the way of facilities, and not the most popular beach spot, but that might be a good thing! Definitely a place to get away from it all.
Facilities: none
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Gannosu. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Nata
Facing the east, this is the best beach to catch a sunrise. The waves can be quite big here, even in the summer (the calm season), so its particularly popular with the surfing crowd.
Parking: 500 vehicles (300 yen/vehicle)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Nata. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the beach.
Mitoma
Broad and sandy beach, so clean the sand squeaks as you walk! No uminoie (beach huts) so shop before you head out. No swimming allowed.
Facilities: supermarket close by
Access: Take the subway to Kaizuka Stn., then the Nishitetsu Miyajidake Line to Mitoma Stn. (26 min.). Then it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Shingu
Big, long, flat beach that is OK for swimming but even more popular for beach walking.
Parking: 250 vehicles (small fee)
Facilities: shower (in beach hut), toilet
Access: The nearest Stn. is Nishitetsu Shingu. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Fukuma / Miyajidake
Long, windswept beach immensely popular with windsurfers. Interested? Rent a board for about 5,000 yen a day from one of the local shops. There are many beach cafes and lots of events throughout the summer and you can usually count on excellent sunsets.
Parking: 300 vehicles (500 yen/day)
Facilities: basic shower facilities, toilet
Access: The nearest Stn. is Nishitetsu Fukuma. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Tsuyazaki
Wide, long beach also popular with windsurfers and with plenty of facilities, including a good variety of cafes, uminoie (beach huts), showers and even hotels for overnight stays.
Parking: 450 vehicles
Facilities: shower (small fee), toilet, beach hut, small shop
Access: Walk 3 minutes from Nishitetsu Tsuyazaki Stn. or walk 3 minutes from Nishitetsu Tsuyazaki-hama bus stop.
