Best for rock formations and natural beauty A short distance from Miyako City in Iwate Prefecture in the north of Japan, photogenic Jōdogahama – whose name translates to 'pure land b… See more

Best for perfect sand and clear waters Lovely beaches fringe every side of tiny Aka-jima in the Kerama Islands, just west of Okinawa, but for sheer postcard-perfect beauty, it's … See more

Best for surfing The beaches around the attractive little port city of Shimoda, southwest of Toyko on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, serve up some of Japan's be… See more

Best for off-the-beaten-track sand North of Nagasaki, the sweet, off-the-beaten-path island of Hirado has picturesque old streets, great seafood, a grand castleand intriguing m… See more