Okinoshima Park 沖ノ島公園

One of Chiba's best beaches is at the Boso Peninsula's southernmost tip. Okinoshima Park is a 200-meter sandbar that connects the mainland to a small uninhabited island. The beach offers excellent swimming, snorkeling, and seashell hunting.

Okinoshima Park is accessible by public transit.

Tateyama is about two hours from Chiba on the JR Uchibo Line. It is 10 minutes by bus from Tateyama Station to the Tateyama Air Base Bus Stop and then about 25 minutes on foot.

The sandbar used to be at the bottom of the ocean. Originally, the island was separated from the mainland, but a series of major earthquakes over the last few hundred years brought the ground level up. Now, you can walk across the sandbar and explore the island without entering the water.

The island is one kilometer in circumference and covered in lush forest, with some ancient trees that are over 300 years old. There is interesting plant life to see, as well as unusual rock formations, so it's an excellent place to explore.

The beach is a great place to collect seashells. The stretch of sandbar connecting the island has plenty to discover.

Okinoshima Beach is located at the northernmost reach of the Pacific Ocean's coral, which gives it excellent snorkeling during the summer. The calm, warm water makes it ideal for beginners, so grab your snorkel and hop in.