Photo/Illutration Despite the beach being officially closed, people enjoy swimming on Aug. 10 at Miura Beach in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture. (Nobufumi Yamada)

Once packed with beachgoers in the summer, Miura Beach in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture, attracted more than a million visitors in 1999.

However, the beach welcomed only 80,000 visitors last year. The beach remained closed this year, with signs advising against swimming.

In response, the prefecture has deployed lifeguards. Still, visitors are advised to swim at their own risk and children are encouraged to wear life jackets.

Miura is one of the growing number of resort beaches in Japan being closed, highlighting challenges such as labor shortages, competition from other leisure activities and poor visitor behavior.

The number of beachgoers has decreased to less than a quarter in under two decades. As a result, the total number of public beaches nationwide has dropped by 30 percent over the past 30 years.

At Miura Beach, a local group of restaurant and business owners traditionally managed it during the summer months. However, due to financial pressures and the aging and retirement of many beach house owners, the group disbanded.

Municipal officials are seeking ways to reopen the beach next summer.

EROSION, BAD VISITOR BEHAVIOR

Some beaches are being forced to close due to natural factors. Nicknamed the "Gold Coast of Ibaraki," the scenic Hokota Beach in Hokota, Ibaraki Prefecture, drew 25,000 visitors last summer.

However, the popular beach was forced to close this year due to erosion. With beach sand removed by waves, exposed rocks and jagged wave-breaking blocks pose safety hazards.

As there are no lifeguards on duty this year, officials strongly warn against swimming at the beach, where strong currents can arise. 

Officials of Owase, Mie Prefecture, have decided to close Mikisato Beach this year due to worsening visitor behavior.

According to the city, there has been a surge in incidents of littering, such as discarding barbecue charcoal in the windbreak forest. Faced with opposition from local residents, officials gave up opening the beach this year.

“The beach belongs to everyone and it's difficult to impose strict rules,” said a municipal official. “We want to reopen it next year, but a major challenge will be how to communicate beach etiquette to foreign tourists who may not understand Japanese.”

LESS THAN QUARTER IN 2 DECADES

According to the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, the number of resort beaches nationwide has decreased from 1,379 in 1990 to 970 in June this year.

The number of beachgoers, which was 20 million in 2007, has recently dropped below 5 million, according to the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management.

Other potential factors contributing to the decline include competition from other holiday destinations and the decreasing population of children.

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