One of Kanagawa's most popular swimming beaches, located just south of Kamakura on Sagami Bay. The 1.2km sandy shore draws surfers, paddleboarders, and sun-seekers, with clear water and views of the Miura Peninsula.
Zushi Beach is a 1.2-kilometre stretch of sandy coastline on Sagami Bay in the city of Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, positioned between Kamakura to the north and the Miura Peninsula to the south. The beach is one of the most accessible and popular coastal destinations from central Kanagawa and the greater Tokyo area, drawing surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, swimmers, and summer sunbathers throughout the warmer months. The fine sandy shore, clear water, and backdrop of hills behind the city give the beach a character noticeably different from the more crowded Shonan beaches to the northwest.
The designated swimming season runs July through August, when beach facilities operate at full capacity: rental huts provide chairs, parasols, surfboards, and paddleboard equipment, and a line of beach bars serves food and cold drinks directly to the shoreline. Safety flag systems indicate swimming conditions — green for safe, yellow for caution, red for dangerous currents — and lifeguards monitor the main swimming area throughout the season. Outside the official season, the beach is accessible year-round and popular with surfers who favour the consistent swell produced by Sagami Bay.
Views from the beach take in the Miura hills to the south and, on clear winter mornings, occasional glimpses of Mt. Fuji above the coastal skyline to the west. The beach connects to the wider Shonan coastal culture of Kanagawa — the surf community and coastal lifestyle associated with the Enoshima area 10 kilometres to the northwest.
The beach is busiest on summer weekends from July to mid-August; shoulder periods in June and September offer warm water with smaller crowds. Visitors arrive via Keikyu-Zushi Station (Keikyu Zushi Line) and walk 15 minutes to the beach, or by local bus. JR Zushi Station on the Yokosuka Line is slightly further from the shore.
| Hours | Beach open year-round; swimming season July–August |
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Location
35.2935, 139.5855 View on map
Highlights
- 1.2km sandy beach
- Surfing and paddleboarding
- Beachside bars in summer
- Views to Kamakura hills
Tips for visiting
- Beach huts rent chairs, parasols, and surfboards. Swimming flags indicate safe conditions.
When to visit
July and early August for the full summer beach atmosphere with all facilities open; September and October for uncrowded surfing conditions with still-warm water.
Accessibility
Mostly accessible; sandy terrain
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to use Zushi Beach?
The beach itself is free. Seasonal beach huts charge for chair and parasol rental (typically ¥1,500–¥2,500 per set). Surfboard and paddleboard rentals cost approximately ¥2,000–¥3,000 per session.
When is swimming safe at Zushi Beach?
The official supervised swimming season is July 1 to August 31, when lifeguards are present and safety flags operate. Outside this period, swimming is not officially supervised and conditions should be assessed independently.
How do visitors get to Zushi Beach?
The most direct route is Keikyu-Zushi Station on the Keikyu Zushi Line from Yokohama (approximately 30 minutes), followed by a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride to the beach. JR Zushi Station on the Yokosuka Line is also walkable but further.