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Ubara Beach: Chiba’s Secluded Gem Off the Pacific Coast
Location: Ubara Beach, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 10:51・2024/07/10
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP + 10-stop ND filter
34 mm ISO 100 for 3.0 sec. at ƒ/11
I love the contrast of the light-colored sand on Ubara Beach with the darker tones of turquoise waters that lazily flow into the cove off the eastern coast of Chiba Prefecture.
Located approximately 100 km southeast of Tokyo, or about a 2-hour drive, Ubara Beach was nearly abandoned when I arrived, with only a few locals relaxing in the shade of a beachside shack or on the porch of their old houses.
Ubara Beach is one of Chiba Prefecture's most scenic spots and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan." Once summer vacation starts for Japanese schoolchildren, the beach attracts many more visitors from Tokyo and surrounding areas for swimming and sunbathing, making it a bustling hub of activity. Further down the shoreline, away from beachgoers, fishing is also a popular pastime.
Over the past 40 years, I have visited many Japanese beaches. Shirahama Beach on the Izu Peninsula remains my favorite outside the peak summer season. Ubara Beach is a close second favorite, thanks to its solitude and the moss-covered rocks that create interesting photographic foregrounds.
Unlike many more popular beaches with easy access from Tokyo, especially along Shonan Bay and the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula, Ubara Beach is a bit more secluded. Out-of-town visitors would be wise to stock up on food and drinks as there are no convenience stores in the immediate area, and there are few shops or restaurants where you can buy meals or refreshments.
My conversations with a few of the locals revealed that they don’t really consider their beach to be a tourist destination, which would explain how the village has been able to maintain its at-home vibe, free of the noise and litter more commonly associated with areas overwhelmed with tourists.
However, there are several minpaku close to the beach where out-of-town visitors can stay for a night and enjoy a leisurely day or two getting a taste of life in a small Japanese fishing village. The beach is blessed with beauty and is free of the rowdy and noisy crowds more likely to show up at beaches in Kamakura, Enoshima, Kugenuma, and others along the shores of Shonan Bay.
Access to the beach was relatively easy. We parked at the Ubara Utopia Visitor Parking Lot, which is free. The trail from the parking lot takes you through an old hand-dug tunnel for pedestrian use, making it a mere 10-minute walk to the beach.
Whether you seek solitude or the perfect photograph, Ubara Beach offers a unique escape from the crowds. I highly recommend visiting this hidden gem to experience its natural beauty firsthand.
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