9 best beaches in and near Osaka

It may not be the sea, but no list of swimming spots near Osaka would be complete without Omimaiko Beach, located on the shore of Lake Biwa in Shiga. Soft sand and cool water, framed by towering mountain ranges, make Omimaiko one of the most stunning places to swim, not just near Osaka but in all of Kansai.

The beach does get busy, but with over 2km of sandy shores lined by fir trees, there’s plenty of space and shaded areas to choose from. Heading left as you get out of the station will take you to quieter sections, where the beach narrows and the crowds thin out.

To the right, however, you’ll find more of what the beach has to offer. Here, spots like Asobiwa Hira Base offer barbecue facilities and rent out jetskis, boats and tent saunas right by the waterline. You’ll also find R Café, a Hawaiian-style restaurant with a shaded terrace and lake views that can easily transport you to Honolulu on a sunny day.

Getting there: Omimaiko Beach is a short walk from Omi-Maiko Station, which is accessible from Umeda in just over an hour on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line express train. Alternatively, travel to Kyoto Station or Yamashina Station and change to the Kosei Line; this route takes about 90 minutes.

The closest of Wakayama’s beaches to Osaka, Isonoura Beach is popular with surfers year-round. During summer, the beach is divided into separate swimming and surfing zones.

Its shallow waters and surf schools (offering lessons and board rentals) make the beach ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers, as well as beachgoers looking to cool off with a swim. Facilities include showers, changing rooms, toilets, lockers and a café.

The beach also hosts a festival-like market twice a year in April and September. Part garage sale, part food market, and with live music, this community-minded event also brings attendees together on Sunday for a beach clean-up.

If you can’t make it to the market, the seaview Café Gluck, which hosts it, runs regular live music events on its second-floor terrace, along with vendor pop-ups. It’s the go-to spot for lunch on the beach.

Getting there: Isonoura Beach is just moments from Isonoura Station on the Nankai Kada Line (famous for its fish-themed trains) and can be reached from Namba Station in 90 minutes.

With no direct trains from Osaka, the beaches on Awaji Island take a little more effort to reach, but are well worth it if you have the time and are looking for a quieter, more remote swim.

Awaji’s west coast is blessed with beaches that are easy to explore via a single coastal road and bus line. Famous for its sunsets, the entire coast is aptly known as the Awaji Sunset Line, home to remote shores as well as more accessible and well-serviced town beaches.

Two of the most convenient beaches, Taganohama and Hokudanmurotsu, offer a good mix of accessibility and tranquillity. Both are a short walk from their respective bus stops and provide toilets, showers, restaurants and beach huts, yet they remain relatively quiet and unspoilt.

Taganohama is more family-friendly, with a large lawn, a protected swimming area and shallow waters. Hokudanmurotsu, on the other hand, is slightly further from its bus stop and therefore quieter. But it’s home to a couple of excellent beach huts serving fresh local seafood.

Getting there: You can get to Awaji Island in under two hours from Umeda Station by first travelling to Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, then taking the Sannomiya–Nishiura Line bus directly to either beach.

Shirahama in Wakayama is famed for its resorts, but the expansive beach also makes it one of Kansai’s most popular swimming destinations. With white sand and palm trees, it’s known as the sister beach to Hawaii’s Waikiki, offering a truly tropical escape within Japan.

It has everything you need for a day by the sea: changing rooms, showers, lockers, toilets, restaurants and bars. Shirahama is also famous for its hot springs, many of which, such as Saki-No-Yu, offer views over the Pacific Ocean from outdoor baths.

Shirahama is ultimately a place for rest and relaxation, with many visitors making it an overnight trip staying in ryokans and resorts. If you prefer adventure, the Sandanbeki Cave is just 15 minutes from the beach via the Shirahama Tanabe Line bus. This extensive coastal cave network features an elevator that takes you down to a viewing platform to experience the power of the Pacific.

Getting there: Express trains from Umeda or Tennoji stations take two to three hours to reach Shirahama Station. From there, a 15-minute ride on the Shirahama Tanabe Line bus brings you directly to the beach.