もうすぐ夏がやって来る！今年のビーチガイドは福岡にある18カ所のビーチを紹介。市街地からも近い雰囲気が異なるビーチがたくさんあるので、ちょっと時間ができたら友達を誘ってビーチへ繰り出そう！
#1 Keya 芥屋
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 huts
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.
#2 Niginohama 幣の浜
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” BBQ Jerk Chicken & burgers are great!
Parking: 140 vehicles (¥1,000/day on Sat., Sun. & holidays)
Facilities: Basic shower 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. 50 minutes from Tenjin.
#3 Nogita 野北
This set of quiet coves with sandy beaches are becoming increasingly popular as more cafes set up. “Cadillac Ranch” cafe, the mobile kitchen “Hinode” that serves great tacos, and “Current,” a full-scale restaurant with great views and its own bakery! Good swimming and surfing too!
Parking: 200 vehicles (small fee)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
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 10-minute walk to the beach.
#4 Futamigaura 二見ケ浦
Excellent waves and the widest choice of cafes and beach huts in Itoshima, including the legendary Sunset Cafe. Right next door is the brand new Palm Beach. Futamigaura is famous for the meoto-iwa, the “husband and wife” rock shrine.
Parking: 50 vehicles (free)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach huts
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.
#5 Obaru 大原
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 (¥1,000/ day)
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.
#6 Nagatare 長垂
With consistently strong winds, Nagatare is popular with windsurfers and other marine sports fans.
Parking: none
Facilities: toilet
Access: From Imajuku Stn. (JR Chikuki Line), walk 10 min. to the beach.
#7 Ikinomatsubara 生の松原
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: none
facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut, barbecue facilities
Access The nearest Stn. is JR Shimoyamato, and then it’s a 8-minute walk to the beach.
#8 Nokonoshima 能古島
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: 20 vehicles (free)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut, barbecue facilities
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.).
#9 Seaside Momochi シーサイド百道
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: 310 vehicles (¥300/ hour)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, small shop
Access: A good 15-minute walk from Nishijin subway station. Nishitetsu buses makes frequent stops in front of Fukuoka Tower as well.
#10 Fukuhama 福浜
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: none
Facilities: none
Access: Take a Nishitetsu bus to Fukuhama Stn., then it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
#11 Katsuma / Shirase 勝馬／白瀬
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: 300 vehicles (some areas require a small fee)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, barbecue facilities
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Saitozaki. Then take a Nishitetsu bus to Kyukamura Shikanoshima (25 min.).
#12 Uminonakamichi (Shikanoshima) 海の中道 (志賀島)
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. Swimming is not allowed.
Parking: 100 vehicles (free)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: Take a Nishitetsu bus for Katsuma from JR Saitozaki Stn., and get off at Shikanoshima. (15 min.).
#13 Gannosu 雁の巣
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.
Parking: none
Facilities: none
Access: The nearest Stn. is JR Gannosu. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
#14 Nata 奈多
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 it’s particularly popular with the surfing crowd.
Parking: 500 vehicles (¥300/ 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.
#15 Mitoma 三苫
Broad and sandy beach, so clean the sand squeaks as you walk! No uminoie (beach huts) so shop before you head out. Swimming is not allowed.
Parking: none
Facilities: toilet
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.
#16 Shingu 新宮
Big, long, flat beach that is okay for swimming but even more popular for beach walking.
Parking: 200 vehicles (¥500/ day)
Facilities: shower (in beach hut), toilet, beach hut
Access: The nearest Stn. is Nishitetsu Shingu. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
#17 Fukuma / Miyajidake 福間／宮地岳
Long, windswept beach immensely popular with windsurfers. Interested? Rent a board for about ¥5,000/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/ day)
Facilities: Basic shower facilities, toilet, beach hut
Access: The nearest Stn. is Nishitetsu Shingu. Take the Tsuyazaki-bashi-bound bus (no. 5) and get off at Fukuma Stn. (approx. 30 min.). Then transfer to the Tsuyazaki-bashi-bound bus (no.1-2) and get off at Shobokaikan-mae (approx. 7 min.). From there, it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach.
#18 Tsuyazaki 津屋崎
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: 500 vehicles (free)
Facilities: shower (small fee), toilet, beach hut, small shop
Access: Walk 3 minutes from Nishitetsu Shingu Stn. Then take the Nishitetsu bus heading toward Tsuyazaki-bashi (no.5) and get off at Tsuyazaki-hama (approx. 40 min.). From there, it’s a 3-minute walk to the beach.
