Ebie Seaside Park (海老江海浜公園)

This beach is a favorite of Everson Lemos (Toyama), who is always good for information you didn’t even know you wanted to know, “The first time I came to Japan, 14 years ago, I knew even less English than now. I didn’t know the difference between ‘beach’ and ‘bitch’. I asked the difference to a Hawaiian nikkei guy. He said ‘the difference is, ‘bitch’ no houga kimochi ii!’”

Good for:
This beach is very good for swimming and picnics, but a bit restrictive on BBQ.

Features:
Top class toilets, showers and dressing rooms.

Concrete situation:
Yes tetrapods, no concrete in the water.

Cleanliness:
No litter.

Anything else worth mentioning:
It’s a very small park in a small piece of beach, with new toilets etc. and a very nice grass area close to the water, so you don’t have to be covered in sand all the time. Very neat for a beach.

How to get there:
Car. From the closest Manyosen station (Koshinokata): 1h45 min walking or swim 500 m and walk only 45 min. Everson jokes aside, the Imizu City bus will take you there from Kureha JR Station (# 6) or from Manyosen Naka-Shinminato Station (# 2) for only 200 yen.

Amaharashi Beach (雨晴海岸)

Himi is not on the Hokuriku line, and maybe that’s why it seems so far away to those of us that don’t live there. But with arguably the best sushi in the ken and a poetry-inspiring coastline, it’s totally worth the trip. Stephanie Weick (Tonami) helped out with two of Himi’s beaches.

Good for:
Swimming / picnic / free camping / fireworks.

Features:
Toilets / rinse-off showers / big parking lot / camping.

Concrete situation:
No tetrapods along the swimming area, a long concrete sidewalk extends along the edge of the beach, also many benches.

Cleanliness:
Very clean.

Anything else worth mentioning:
This beach is a great location for good wholesome fun. The beach is clean, not too crowded and has a nice setup for big and small groups. Also, camping is free! I definitely recommend this beach for gatherings.

How to get there:
Himi line from Takaoka, and get off at Amaharashi.

Matsuda no Nagahama (松田江の長浜)

Good for:
Swimming / picnic.

Features:
Toilets.

Concrete situation:
Very few tetrapods off to the side.

Cleanliness:
Pretty darn clean.

Anything worth mentioning:
A nice beachy feel to it, very little concrete, and a little ice cream stand across the street, small and cozy.

How to get there:
Take the Himi line from Takaoka, and get off at Himi. Walk towards the beach and walk along the coast to the right. It’s next to the botanical gardens.

Uchinada Beach (内灘海水浴場)

OK, I admit, this beach is actually in Ishikawa, not Toyama, but it’s close enough, and Toyama people like to head out there from time to time. This beach has been described to me by both foreign and Japanese people as “like not even being in Japan,” though I’m not sure if that’s because it’s usually chock full of gaij or because it is so awesome. Anyway, it’s my favorite local-ish beach, so I’ll take this one.

Good for:
Swimming, BBQ, sports, camping, partying all night.

Features:
Sand! Loads of it! It’s soft! This beach is pretty wide and long, and 100% feels like being at the beach as opposed to just the place where the land meets the water. Head into APRE (the big blue building) for drinks, food (Thai or Japanese & Western bar food), rentals (volleyball, football, raft/tube), & pay showers (100 yen). Toilets & porta-pottys on the beach, or in APRE if you buy something. Outside are loads of BBQ areas, rows of hammocks with a thatched roof, volleyball nets, and a halfpipe if you’re into skating. Some of this stuff doesn’t get built/set up until around Marine Day weekend.

Concrete situation:
There’s some concrete business way over to the left that juts out into the sea, but nothing you’ll notice.

Cleanliness:
It’s not bad considering how busy this beach is, but it’s Japan, and you’re gonna run into exploded fireworks/cans/pet bottles.

Anything else worth mentioning:
A huge grocery (9AM-midnight) within a five minute walk. There are people here 24 hours a day–if you camp out, I suggest setting up your tent closer to the water and well away from the parking area & buildings. Otherwise, plan on drinking enough to either sleep through or utilize the all night dance music.

How to get there:
At Kanazawa Station, go out the central exit, down the escalator, and hop on the Hokutetsu Asanogawa line to Uchinada. It’s the last stop. Take a left out of the station and walk straight for about 10 minutes.