Top 6 Best Beaches in Chiba | Beach Activities You Can Also Enjoy
Chiba is an attractive beach resort destination with excellent access from the city center and a diverse coastline. From the calm seas of Minami-Boso to the magnificent sandy beaches of Kujukuri-hama, there are various swimming beaches available. Choose your beach according to your purpose, whether it's shallow beaches where families can spend time safely, or spots that attract surfers from around the world as famous surfing destinations.
Furthermore, hands-on activities such as clam digging and beach seining are abundant, allowing you to enjoy both ocean activities and local culture simultaneously. Additionally, Chiba's charm lies in the many spots you can visit alongside the beaches, such as Makuhari Seaside Park where you can enjoy seaside walks, and ZOZO Marine Stadium where you can watch games while feeling the sea breeze. This article introduces six representative swimming beaches of Chiba, popular activities you can experience, as well as notable spots in the Makuhari area. Please use this as a reference for finding the perfect beach to create summer memories.
Table of Contents
1. Top 6 Beaches in Chiba
1-1. Okinoshima Beach (Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture)
1-2. Moriya Beach (Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture)
1-3. Onjuku Central Beach (Onjuku Town, Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture)
1-4. Nakazato Beach (Shirako Town, Chosei District, Chiba Prefecture)
1-5. Futtsu Beach (Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)
1-6. Choshi Marina Beach (Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture)
2. Best Activities to Enjoy at Chiba Beaches
2-1. Swimming and Water Play
2-2. Surfing
2-3. Clam Digging
2-4. Beach Seining
3. Enjoy Together with Beaches: Notable Spots in the Makuhari Area
3-1. Makuhari Seaside Park
3-2. Watch Chiba Lotte Games at ZOZO Marine Stadium
Summary
1. Top 6 Beaches in Chiba
(Source: Tateyama City)
Chiba is easily accessible from Tokyo and has many of the Kanto region's premier beach resorts. Along the wide coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, beautiful sandy beaches and swimming areas with high water transparency are scattered, offering a rich variety from calm beaches where families can play safely to high-wave spots where you can enjoy surfing.
Here, we introduce representative swimming beaches in Chiba that are also recommended for international tourists.
1-1. Okinoshima Beach (Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture)
(Source: Tateyama City)
Okinoshima Beach, located at the southern tip of Tateyama City, is a popular spot representing Minami-Boso, and with its calm waves, it's safe for families. The approximately 150-meter sandy beach has high transparency, and when snorkeling, you can sometimes see cold-water corals and tropical fish.
Access is convenient by bus and walking from JR Tateyama Station, or about 25 minutes by car from Furaura IC, with a parking lot that can accommodate about 400 cars. During the summer opening period, lifeguards are stationed for safe swimming. Furthermore, nearby tourist attractions such as Awa Shrine, Gake Kannon, and Daifukuji Temple are abundant, making it a location where you can enjoy both ocean activities and sightseeing at once.
1-2. Moriya Beach (Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture)
(Source: Chiba Tourism Navigation)
Moriya Beach in Katsuura City is one of the Kanto region's premier scenic spots, with smooth white sand and cobalt blue sea spreading out, and its beauty is sometimes introduced as "Kanto's Okinawa". About 170 meters offshore floats a small island called "Watashima" with a red torii gate, creating a mystical scene when it connects to the sandy beach during low tide.
During the summer opening period, facilities such as monitoring stations, first aid stations, beach houses, showers, and changing rooms are well-equipped, creating a comfortable environment for families. The water quality is excellent, and with lifeguards stationed for safety considerations, you can enjoy swimming with peace of mind.
1-3. Onjuku Central Beach (Onjuku Town, Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture)
Onjuku Central Beach is a popular beach located in the center of Onjuku Town, and with its shallow waters and calm waves, it's a safe spot for families with small children. The beautiful scenery created by fine white sand and blue sea is also known as the setting for the children's song "Moon Desert", and the "Moon Desert Memorial Statue" depicting a prince and princess riding camels is erected on the sandy beach.
In summer, events such as fireworks festivals and beach volleyball tournaments are held, creating bustling activity day and night. Onjuku Town has three swimming beaches, and among them, Central Beach is particularly supported by tourists for its high convenience.
1-4. Nakazato Beach (Shirako Town, Chosei District, Chiba Prefecture)
Nakazato Beach, located almost in the center of Kujukuri-hama, is a popular beach representing Shirako Town. The approximately 100-meter sandy beach is spacious, and with well-equipped facilities, families can spend time comfortably. It's particularly known as a beach where you can experience tourist beach seining, and the fishing experience of pulling large nets together with friends and groups is perfect for creating memories.
Also, it's popular as a scenic spot for viewing the first sunrise rising from the Pacific Ocean horizon, and many people visit even outside the summer swimming season.
1-5. Futtsu Beach (Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)
(Source: Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)
Futtsu Beach, located on the south side of Futtsu Cape, is a beach where families with children and beginners can enjoy safely due to its shallow waters and calm waves. The sandy beach is spacious at approximately 350 meters wide and 70 meters deep, and its high convenience with the parking lot right in front of the sandy beach is also attractive. Due to its beautiful location, it's often used as a filming location for dramas and commercials.
The surrounding area is designated as Minami-Boso Quasi-National Park, and as Prefectural Futtsu Park, facilities such as a jumbo pool, tennis courts, and campgrounds are well-equipped, making leisure activities other than swimming abundant. Clam digging is also popular in summer, allowing families to enjoy a full day. It's a swimming beach where you can enjoy nature and activities in various ways.
1-6. Choshi Marina Beach (Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture)
(Source: Choshi City Tourism Association)
Choshi Marina Beach is a scenic beach with a spectacular view of Byobugaura, called the "Dover of the East", directly in front. The waves are relatively calm, creating a safe environment for families with children to play. The adjacent Naarai Port Seaside Park has a terrace where you can view beautiful sunsets, making it popular as a dating spot.
Nearby tourist attractions such as Inubosaki Lighthouse and the Hill Where You Can See the Earth's Roundness are scattered around, creating a location where you can combine ocean activities with sightseeing.
2. Best Activities to Enjoy at Chiba Beaches
(Source: Choshi City Tourism Association)
At Chiba's swimming beaches, you can experience various activities beyond just swimming. Swimming and water play in highly transparent seas, surfing loved by people worldwide, clam digging where you can interact with nature, and beach seining where you can experience regional traditions - there are various ways to enjoy yourself.
To make your time at the beach even more special memories, here are some popular activities.
2-1. Swimming and Water Play
Chiba's beaches are mostly shallow with calm waves, making them attractive for safely enjoying swimming and water play. Especially for families, the fact that there's a safe environment for children to play is a major point. Many swimming beaches have lifeguards and lifesavers on duty, providing peace of mind in case of emergencies.
Also, a wide range of enjoyment is possible, from playing with floats and beach balls to underwater observation through snorkeling. Depending on the swimming beach, facilities such as changing rooms and showers are well-equipped. Enjoy pleasant summer moments while experiencing the transparency of Chiba's seas.
2-2. Surfing
Chiba is also known as a surfing mecca, attracting many surfers from Japan and abroad. Kujukuri-hama and Onjuku Coast have stable wave conditions, providing an environment where everyone from beginners to advanced surfers can enjoy. Surfing schools and rental shops are abundant, so even people without equipment can easily try it.
Surfing is a sport that not only builds physical strength and balance but also allows you to experience unity with nature. The experience of riding waves in the spectacular scenery of blue sea and white sandy beaches is a major attraction unique to Chiba.
2-3. Clam Digging
Clam digging is popular from spring to summer. Clam digging, which involves collecting bivalves like clams on sandy beaches that appear during low tide, is beloved as an activity that captivates everyone from children to adults. Within Chiba Prefecture, there are many famous clam digging spots such as Kisarazu and Futtsu, attracting many tourists every year.
When participating, prepare tools such as rakes, buckets, and work gloves, and aim for low tide times. Also, each spot has established collection limits and rules, so check in advance. Clam digging, where you can experience nature's bounty, is a unique way to enjoy Chiba's seas.
2-4. Beach Seining
At Chiba's coasts, including Kujukuri-hama, beach seining experiences using traditional fishing methods are popular with tourists. The fishing experience where all participants work together to pull up large nets set offshore is thrilling, and the nets often contain horse mackerel and sardines, with events where you can cook and taste the caught fish on the spot. Since it's done with large groups working together, it's perfect for creating memories with friends or family trips.
Currently, it's mainly held for tourism purposes, but the charm lies in being able to experience traditional fishing culture. Beach seining is popular at many swimming beaches as an activity that both adults and children can enjoy together.
3. Enjoy Together with Beaches: Notable Spots in the Makuhari Area
We've compiled recommended spots in the Makuhari area that you can visit before and after beach activities. Perfect for those who want to make their day even more fulfilling with seaside walks or stadium viewing.
3-1. Makuhari Seaside Park
(Source: Chiba City Tourism Guide)
For those who want to spend time relaxing while viewing the sea, not just swimming, Makuhari Seaside Park is recommended. The promenade along the coast has good visibility and can be easily enjoyed from morning walks to evening sunset viewing. You can spend time freely, whether bringing light meals for a picnic or walking while looking for photo spots. It's a perfect stop for resting after playing at the beach.
3-2. Watch Chiba Lotte Games at ZOZO Marine Stadium
In the Makuhari area, ZOZO Marine Stadium is also not to be missed as a spot where you can feel the seaside atmosphere. Known as the home stadium of the Chiba Lotte Marines, the area around the stadium is filled with energy on game days. The sense of openness unique to its location near the sea is also attractive, and night games have pleasant sea breezes, making it likely to become a travel memory even for first-time viewers.
Game tickets can be checked and reserved at Tickets in Japan.
Summary
Chiba Prefecture's beaches are tourism resources that combine rich nature with convenience. Beautiful scenery and highly transparent seas, such as Okinoshima in Tateyama and Moriya Beach in Katsuura, captivate visitors.
Chiba's swimming beaches have the great appeal of being able to cater to a wide range of people, from families to active enthusiasts. By participating in experiences such as beach seining and surfing rather than just swimming in the sea, you can have more contact with the ocean's enjoyment and culture. Furthermore, you can enhance your travel satisfaction by enjoying seaside walks at Makuhari Seaside Park before and after beach activities, or watching Chiba Lotte Marines games at ZOZO Marine Stadium. If you're planning summer leisure activities, definitely consider adding Chiba's beaches, which are easily accessible for day trips from the city center, to your list of candidates.
※This article is based on information as of April 2026
