Which Shimoda Beaches Have Lifeguards, and When Is Swimming Season? The Nine Official Beaches Compared
Shimoda has many sandy coves, but only nine of them are official swimming beaches. This guide compares those nine: when they open, their hours, which have outside safety certification, how clean the water tested, and how to reach each one by bus from Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
We used pages from Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Lifesaving Association (JLA). All were read on 2026-10-04. The 2026 season has already ended. The dates below are the 2026 ones, so check the city's beach page again before a summer trip.
The short answer: summer only, daytime only
In 2026, all nine beaches opened on Saturday 18 July. Most closed on Sunday 23 August. Three stayed open a little longer: Shirahama Chuo until Sunday 30 August, and Shirahama Ohama and Kujuppama until Monday 31 August.
Most beaches opened from 8:00 to 16:00. Nabetahama opened at 9:00 and Toji at 8:30. Both closed at 16:00.
Shimoda City states the key rule at the top of its beach page. Outside the season, and outside opening hours, there are no lifeguards or other watchers on the shore. The city also says that the nine listed beaches are the only swimming beaches. Other shores in Shimoda are not swimming beaches.
Which beaches are JLA-certified
The city marks six of the nine as JLA-certified swimming beaches. They are Shirahama Chuo, Shirahama Ohama, Sotoura, Tatadohama, Iritahama and Kisami Ohama.
The JLA explains that its certification follows the International Life Saving Federation's risk assessment framework. It looks at each beach's hazards and risks, and at accident prevention, watch and rescue arrangements. Applications come from those who run the beach, such as a prefecture, a town or a beach association.
The other three official beaches are Kujuppama, Nabetahama and Toji. They are still official swimming beaches with the same season. The city page simply does not list them as JLA-certified.
The nine beaches at a glance
Bus times are from Izukyu-Shimoda Station, as given by the city. Parking at every beach except Nabetahama is charged in the summer period.
- Shirahama Chuo. The northern end of the Shirahama coast. The city describes it as quiet, with families exploring the rock pools, and says it has barbecue facilities. It was chosen for a national list of 100 good swimming beaches in fiscal 2006. Bus bound for Itado and Isshiki, 18 minutes, then a 1-minute walk.
- Shirahama Ohama. About 700 metres of sand, which the city calls the largest beach in Izu. It is popular with surfers and young people. Same bus, 15 minutes, and the beach is right by the stop.
- Sotoura. A calm cove with clear water. In summer a float is placed offshore, and the city notes it is a centre for sea kayaking. Same bus, 10 minutes, then a 3-minute walk.
- Kujuppama. Small waves, rocks on both sides, and next to the Suzaki Imperial Villa. The city says most visitors are families. Bus bound for Cape Tsumeki, 15 minutes, then a 7-minute walk.
- Nabetahama. The closest beach to central Shimoda and a local favourite. It is a cove with almost no waves. There is no parking. Bus towards Minami-Izu, 5 minutes, then a 5-minute walk, or about 20 minutes on foot from the station.
- Tatadohama. About 450 metres of white sand, known for surfing and other water sports. The city says facilities such as warm showers can be used all year. Bus towards Minami-Izu, 7 minutes, then a 3-minute walk.
- Iritahama. A row of cycad trees runs along the shore, and the beach has been used for filming. Surfers and families both come here. Bus towards Minami-Izu, 8 minutes, then a 3-minute walk.
- Kisami Ohama. About 770 metres of beach, set back from the main road. Families and surfers both use it. Bus bound for Toji, 15 minutes, and the beach is right by the stop.
- Toji. A beach with a complex, wave-carved shoreline and many regular visitors. Ryugu Park and a sand slope for sledging are nearby. Bus bound for Toji, 18 minutes, and the beach is right by the stop.
How clean is the water?
Shizuoka Prefecture tests its swimming beaches each spring. In 2026 it tested between 20 April and 29 May, using the Ministry of the Environment's standards. These cover faecal coliform counts, oil film, chemical oxygen demand and transparency.
All nine Shimoda beaches received the top grade, AA, which the prefecture describes as particularly good water quality. Across the prefecture, 42 of 51 beaches got AA. The O157 strain of E. coli was not found at any beach. Keep in mind that this is a spring survey, done before the season opens.
Help for swimmers with disabilities: Sotoura
Shimoda City runs a Universal Beach Project at Sotoura. Its aim is for everyone to enjoy the sea safely, with or without a disability and at any age. In 2026 there was a training session for volunteer supporters on 4 July. Trial days for swimmers were held on 25 and 29 July and on 19 and 22 August.
Places were booked through forms linked from the city page. The 2027 dates were not on the page when we checked.
Coast Guard advice for beach days
The Japan Coast Guard's Water Safety Guide says to swim only at beaches that are officially open. It explains that at beaches outside their season or hours, there may be no lifeguards and no nets against jellyfish or sharks. There may also be no buoys, so swimmers can end up sharing water with jet skis. It advises against swimming on natural shores, because many drownings happen there every year.
A managed beach, in the guide's words, has lifeguards or patrol staff on duty, buoy lines marking the swimming area, and flags. Other points from the guide:
- Rip currents. These are narrow currents flowing out to sea, usually about 10 to 30 metres wide. If one carries you out, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore. If you cannot get out, float and wait for rescue.
- Help signal. If you are in trouble, raise one arm and wave it widely from side to side.
- Swell from typhoons. Long swells from typhoons thousands of kilometres to the south can reach Japan's Pacific coast.
- What to bring. A lifejacket or other buoyant aid, a whistle, and a phone in a waterproof case.
- Alcohol and children. Never go into the water after drinking. Stay close to children at all times.
- Marine life. If a jellyfish or other creature stings you, leave the water and see a doctor.
For tsunami warnings and the 118 Coast Guard number, see our tsunami safety guide linked below.
What we could not verify, and therefore left out
- The 2027 season dates. The city had not published them when we checked.
- Parking charges, and the exact months when they apply. The city only says parking is charged in summer.
- Whether lifeguards at each beach speak English.
- Which beaches have toilets, showers or changing rooms in season, apart from the warm showers at Tatadohama.
- Rules on barbecues, fireworks or pets at each beach. We found no official Shimoda page listing them.
- Bus fares and timetables to each beach.
Related guides
- How do you stay safe from tsunamis on Shimoda's beaches? Warnings, maps and emergency numbers
- How do you get to Shimoda from Tokyo? Trains via Atami and Ito, and buses from the station
Sources
All URLs retrieved 2026-10-04.
- 海水浴場 (Shimoda City) — (the nine beaches; 2026 dates and hours; no watchers outside them; JLA marks; descriptions, bus access and parking)
- JLA認定海水浴場申請のご案内 (Japan Lifesaving Association) — (what JLA certification assesses; who applies)
- 令和８年度海水浴場の水質調査結果 (Shizuoka Prefecture) — (2026 water quality grades; test period and items; O157)
- ユニバーサルビーチプロジェクト (Shimoda City) — (Universal Beach Project at Sotoura; 2026 dates)
- Swimming Safety Information (Japan Coast Guard, Water Safety Guide) — (risks at beaches not officially open; swim at open beaches)
- Precautions When Playing in the Ocean (Japan Coast Guard, Water Safety Guide) — (managed beaches; rip currents; typhoon swell; what to bring; alcohol; children; marine life)
- What to Do When You Feel in Danger (Japan Coast Guard, Water Safety Guide) — (help signal; floating and waiting for rescue)