Moriya Beach is a beautiful seaside destination located along Moriya Coast in Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture. Famous for its remarkably clear water and beautiful natural surroundings, the beach has been recognized in several prestigious selections, including the “100 Best Swimming Beaches,” “100 Best Seashores in Japan,” and the “88 Best Bathing Beaches in Japan.”
With its brilliant blue sea, soft white sand, and distinctive offshore island, Moriya Beach is one of the most attractive places along the Boso Peninsula for enjoying the summer seaside.
Moriya Beach is known for its cobalt-blue ocean and smooth white sandy shore. The scenery is so striking that the beach is sometimes described as the “Okinawa of the Kanto region.”
The exceptionally clear water allows visitors to see fish swimming beneath the surface on days when sea conditions are favorable. The combination of blue water, white sand, and surrounding greenery creates a beautiful coastal landscape.
Approximately 170 meters offshore is a small island known as Watari-jima. A red torii gate stands on the island, giving it a mysterious and distinctive appearance.
Approximately 20 times a year, around low tide, a natural phenomenon can cause a sandy path to appear between the beach and Watari-jima. When conditions are right, visitors can see the unusual sight of the island becoming temporarily connected to the shore.
This changing landscape is one of Moriya Beach’s most memorable natural attractions. The phenomenon depends on tides and other natural conditions, so it cannot be seen every day.
In 1992, Moriya Beach was selected as the venue for the 12th National Abundant Sea Creation Festival, a national event focused on the conservation and sustainable use of Japan’s marine resources.
The event helped draw attention to the beauty of Moriya Beach and the importance of preserving the area’s rich coastal environment.
Moriya Beach generally opens for swimming from mid-July through late August. During this summer period, the beach becomes a popular destination for families, couples, groups of friends, and other visitors looking to enjoy the sea.
A variety of facilities are available during the official swimming season, making it easier for visitors to spend a full day at the beach.
These facilities provide basic support for visitors and make Moriya Beach a convenient choice for a summer seaside outing.
A cave located near Moriya Coast offers an interesting combination of natural scenery and local history. Its quiet, atmospheric interior provides a different experience from the open beach and sea.
Myōkakuji Temple is another nearby place where visitors can experience the area’s traditional Japanese atmosphere. The temple’s historic architecture blends naturally with its surroundings and offers a peaceful place to take a break from the beach.
Visitors who want to explore more of the coastline can continue to Okitsu Beach, located a short distance from Moriya Beach. With its attractive scenery and relatively peaceful atmosphere, it is another pleasant place to enjoy the coastal landscape of southern Chiba.
The nearest station is JR Sotobo Line Kazusa-Okitsu Station. From the station, Moriya Beach is approximately an 8-minute walk.
This convenient location makes the beach accessible even for travelers who do not have a car.
When traveling by car, the nearest expressway interchange is the Ichihara-Tsurumai Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway.
For travelers arriving via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, one route is to travel through the Ken-O Expressway, exit at Ichihara-Tsurumai Interchange, and continue toward Katsuura. The drive from Umihotaru Parking Area is approximately 70 minutes from the interchange route to Katsuura.
Moriya Beach has approximately 1,370 paid parking spaces. Because the beach can become very busy during the summer season, arriving early is recommended, particularly on weekends and holidays.
Moriya Beach is one of Katsuura’s best-known seaside destinations, offering remarkably clear water, beautiful white sand, and a distinctive natural landscape.
The small island of Watari-jima, with its red torii gate, adds a memorable cultural element to the scenery, while the temporary sandy connection between the island and the shore provides a fascinating example of how the coastline changes with the tides.
With convenient access from Kazusa-Okitsu Station, well-equipped seasonal facilities, and several other attractions nearby, Moriya Beach is an enjoyable destination for travelers who want to experience the natural beauty of Chiba’s Pacific coast.