In Misaki, Osaka, a 'No Swimming' sign has been erected at Danowa Beach, which opened in 1904. This year, the beach will not open at all. Visitor numbers plummeted from 101,000 in 2016 to just 33,000 last year, a decline of two-thirds, leading to annual losses in the millions of yen and ultimately the decision to close this summer.
Despite the drop in visitors, operational costs have remained high. The beach requires 20 staff members for safety monitoring and parking management, but finding workers has been challenging due to labor shortages. Additionally, rising costs for installation and removal of changing facilities have added to the financial burden.
Beaches that once symbolized summer in Japan are disappearing one by one. On Ocean Day, July 20, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that, according to a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, the number of beaches nationwide has decreased from 1,111 in 2016 to 966 last year, a 13% decline over the past decade.
Danowa Beach is not alone in this trend. Hakotsukuri Beach in Osaka will also remain closed this year. Visitor numbers have dropped from 203,000 in 1990 to just one-tenth of that today, making it difficult to secure operational staff. Half of Osaka's four beaches have opted not to open this summer.
So, what is causing the decline in beach attendance directly linked to operational difficulties? The Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed that the diversification of leisure activities, combined with changes in the natural environment such as extreme heat, has contributed to this trend. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average temperature from June to August last year was 2.36 degrees higher than the average over the past 30 years, marking the highest since records began in 1898. Local governments have noted that the extreme heat has led more people to avoid going out, which has exacerbated the trend of 'beach avoidance.' The ocean, once a refuge from the heat, has become too hot to visit.
It's not just a decrease in visitors that poses a problem; some beaches are unable to open due to damage. Hokota Beach in Ibaraki Prefecture has lost its sandy shore to erosion from waves, forcing it to close this summer. Despite efforts to restore the beach with large amounts of sand last year, it was washed away within a year. Local authorities are considering fundamental measures, citing rising sea levels and stronger waves due to global warming as contributing factors to the erosion.
Watanoha Beach in Miyagi Prefecture has been closed for three years due to an accumulation of oyster shells covering the beach. Last month, hundreds of residents attempted to clear the shells, but within a month, the beach was once again covered. The local government has yet to find a fundamental solution as the shells continue to wash ashore.
As beaches face these ongoing crises, efforts to attract visitors are being made. Kaike Onsen Kaiyu Beach in Tottori Prefecture saw its highest attendance in recent years, with 93,000 visitors last year, thanks to events like nighttime treasure hunts and fireworks. A local tourism official stated, "In the past, customers came without any effort, but now we need to work to attract them," and plans to expand nighttime and year-round events.
In addition to events, some places are trying to change beach culture. Suma Beach in Kobe has prohibited visible tattoos and smoking outside designated areas since 2011. Starting in 2024, fines will be imposed for watercraft entering restricted areas under local ordinances. This approach aims to enhance the experience for existing visitors rather than simply attracting more.
Some beaches that had long been closed are being revived. Ukedo Beach in Fukushima Prefecture, which was covered in debris after the Great East Japan Earthquake, will reopen next month for the first time in 16 years after residents cleared the wreckage and restored the beach. This marks a community effort to reclaim the beach lost to the earthquake.
Experts caution against viewing beaches solely as summer swimming spots. Naotomo Nakahara, a professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, stated, "People visit the ocean for various reasons beyond swimming, such as enjoying the scenery or eating seafood. Each region should leverage its location and natural resources to showcase its unique ocean value. If we can attract visitors year-round, there is ample potential for beaches to regain their vibrancy."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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