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Ashikita This is probably the best beach choice outside of Amakusa. Ashikita beach and neighboring Tsurugahama beach are both man-made - and the Japanese planners made a fantastic job. Both have large golden sandy shores. Ashkita beach is set in a sheltered cove surrounded by wooded hills, with palm-trees lined walkways. It has toilet and shower facilities. Watch out for the phosphorescence in late spring - when plankton gives the sea an eerie fluorescent green glow. Also watch out for jelly fish! (especially in late summer). There are pre-pitched tents available for rent in summer. On route 3 from Yatsushiro to Minamata, follow signs to the Ashikita marine park. By public transport, take a train to Sashiki station. Here it is a 10 minute (6km) taxi ride. There is an onsen in the park - next to the beach parking area.�@Located inside a hotel this cheap spa (300\) gives good views of the ocean and distant Amakusa. (The glass-walled tub also gives good views to passers-by on the road below!) The onsen is open 6am - 11pm. The roller-park/zorb courses are a 10 minute walk further south on the beach road. Plastic wheeled carts hurtle down three concreted hill runs (585m-720m). A single run costs 400\, 3 runs cost 1,000\, 5 cost 1,500\ and all day racing costs 3000\. You are required to complete 3 "family" runs before moving the "intermediate" course (although there was no enforcement of this rule when we went there). The carts go fast - so hold on tight! The zorb slope is even more fun. "Zorbing" is a sport imported from New Zealand. Participants climb into a large (3.2m diameter) transparent sphere and are then pushed down the 135 meter long slope! Soapy water in the sphere stops you rotating yourself - instead the ball rotates around you. One run costs 600\. Towels and spare clothes are provided as you will get wet. There is also a roller-blading park at the top of the hill with half-pipes and jumps. Telephone number 0966825588. It is open 10am-6pm from April to October and from 10am- 5pm from November to March. Otachimisaki Park Beach This is another man-made white sand beach. It is not as picturesque as Ashikita, but it is the largest in the prefecture. There is an onsen center at the top of the hill. There are plently of activities to keep you amused in the park grounds. There is a roller-luge cart run from the parking area to the beach. It costs 200\ and is high speed fun! There is a grass-sledging slope to the right of the beach, which is a bargain at 80\. Slightly further away is the go-karting track. The top speed of the karts is disappointingly slow - but the course is long and bendy enough to make for some interesting races. It costs 500\. There is also a nicely kept putting green golf course (700\), tennis courts (1,000\ an hour at weekends) and fishing pier. There is a campsite on the grounds. Tent pitches cost 2,000\ most of the year, but an exorbitant 6000\ in high season (July, August, September and golden week.) Otachimisaki Onsen - This onsen is located on the top of the hill overlooking the beach. It has a medium sized outside spa with fantastic views of the Shiranui sea. On Route 3 from Yatsushiro to Minamata, follow signs for Otachimisaki Park Beach. It is about 10km north of Ashikita. By public transport, take a train to Higotanoura station. From here it is a 10 minute taxi ride. Yunoko Beach This is an artificial white sand beach only a few minutes from the Yunoko hot springs. It is a few kilometers north of Minamata on the coastal road. Amakusa Beaches Pearl Sun Beach (Hiai Beach) This is an artificial beach made with white sand. It is located in a natural cove. There is a small salt water onsen Nagauraso a short walk away. Driving along the 266, cross the second bridge. Take a right turn opposite the Amakusa visitor center towards Hiai village. Calm Beach (Nishime Beach) Nishime, Aitsu Matsushima-machi, Amakusa-gun This is an artificial beach made with beautiful white sand. There is another beach just for jet skiing. You can swim out to a nearby small island. It has great views of Mt Unzen in Nagazaki. It is in the Matsushima area - take a right off the Hondo toll road, through Senganzan park to the beach. Shirogahama Beach Koutsuura Ariake-machi, Amakusa-gun This is the most popular beach of the Ripple Land in Kumamoto. It has a 500m long golden manmade beach. There is an onsen and restaurant, both with great views over the sea, and there is also a 100m slide for you to enjoy. It is located on rt 324 in Ariake. Hondo Beach Mogine, Hirose, Hondo-machi Hondo City This beach is only 10 minutes by car from Hondo port, and is the only swimming beach in Hondo. It doesn't have the clear waters of some the other Amakusa beaches, but is popular for water-sports. Turn right after the city hall in Hondo (driving from the mainland) - its on this road after the International Hotel. Shiratsuruhama Beach Takahama Amakusa-machi, Amakusa-gun This beach with white sand is named Shiratsuru (White Crane). It is 600m long and is surrounded by pine forests. The Ai-no-Misaki campsite is nearby. The beach sometimes gets waves, especially in typhoon season - and it is sometimes possible to surf. From Hondo, drive south on the 266. Take the signposted right for Takahama. After a 30 minute drive you will reach the coastal road. Turn left and then follow signposts to the beach. Mogushi Beach Mogushi, Ushibuka-machi Ushibuka City This beach is only 15 minutes by car from Ushibuka city. The beach has sea cliffs and beautiful white sand. The blue sea is one of the clearest seawaters in Kumamoto. Sea turtles come on the beach to lay eggs from May to June. It is a good place to snorkel and swim. Reach Ushibuka by taking the 266 from Hondo. Follow signs to the beach once in the city. Satsuki Beach Satsuki, Ushibuka-machi Ushibuka City This is the largest beach in Ushibuka city which takes only 15 minutes by car from Ushibuka City Hall. This 1 Kilometer long beach is shaped like a croissant and filled with white sand. It is popular with body boarders. Driving through Ushibuka on the 266 cross the Haiya Bridge to he Amatsuke Island. The beach is a 15 drive on the south coast. Suwa Beach Futamado Himedo-machi, Amakusa-gun There are clear seas and white sands. Suwa Park Campsite is next-door. From Matsushima pass through the 3 tunnels. Continue past the Y shop. Take the first road on your left all the way to the beach. Kojima Beach Himeura Himedo-machi, Amakusa-gun This beach is located on the small island at Himedo port. The land and this island are connected by an embankment. There are campsites with bungalows. From Matsushima take the first left at the traffic lights and follow the signs. Kuroshima Island Beach Kuroshima Goshonoura-machi, Amakusa-gun Kuroshima is an uninhabited island (10 minutes boatride from Goshoura There is a campsite with toilets and a mineral spring well (not for drinking). |