The Japanese Beach Experience: How To Spend A Beach Day

Summer is in full swing, meaning people all over Japan are looking for fun ways to spend these long summer days. As you may have seen in your favorite anime beach episodes, Japanese people love the beach and make a whole day of activities out of it!

If you’re looking for ways to spend a Japanese beach day like we do here, read on to learn all about Japanese beach games, foods, and activities!

Suikawari: A Beach Day of Watermelon!

Suikawari (watermelon smashing) is one of the most iconic and popular Japanese beach games. It’s similar to the idea of a pinata, except that the prize is delicious watermelon instead of candy. Well, since watermelon is one of the most expensive fruits in Japan, it’s probably much higher in value than candy. 

The rules are simple. A watermelon is placed on the ground with a tarp underneath. Players put on a blindfold, are spun around three times, and are given a stick. The goal is to swing and hit the watermelon, breaking it open for everyone to enjoy. 

According to the Japan Suika-Wari Association’s official rules, a clean break is essential, with a clean split in half being the best. Either way, you and your friends enjoy a refreshing summer treat at the end. 

Japanese Beach Sports!

Swimming isn’t the only sporty thing you can enjoy at the beach. Much like in Western countries, Japanese folks also enjoy active fun on the beach. Of course, plenty of people love beach volleyball, whether it’s with a real volleyball or a big blow-up beach ball. The best part is that almost anyone can play regardless of skill level or experience. 

That being said, Japan is one of those countries that love badminton. Chances are, if you make friends in Japan, you’ll meet someone who will at least have a couple of racquets and a birdie. They may even have a net for a full-on badminton game. This game is arguably even more accessible than volleyball in terms of coordination, so it’s great for all levels of athleticism.

A beach day isn’t complete without some tasty summer snacks. Let TokyoTreat help you out with that! TokyoTreat sends tasty and exclusive Japanese snacks, sweets, noodles, drinks, and much more right to your door in one convenient box, so you can enjoy it at home or take it to the beach!

Japanese Beach Barbecue

If you get a suitable rental space at beaches or beach-side parks, you can enjoy a barbecue with plenty of delicious food. Japanese barbecue tends to be more straightforward for those used to American-style barbecue. Usually, Japanese barbecue is like what you’d find in a yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant. 

Putting it simply, all it takes is putting plenty of meat and vegetables onto a grill and enjoying the natural flavor of the food with just a little bit of seasoning or sauce if you like. The same goes for chicken, which becomes yakitori when skewered and grilled. 

With a flat grill attachment, Japanese folks also make yakisoba (Japanese fried noodles) on these beach grills to take it to the next level. However, this is usually the last thing you cook on a grill because the noodles are intended to fill you up. Plus, the grill attachment will take time to cool off. 

Kakigoori

Another popular Japanese beach snack, kakigoori (Japanese shaved ice), is perfect for staying cool on a hot beach day. However, unlike barbecue, you can’t really make this one yourself. 

Instead, you have to make a trip to the local beach house, where they’ll be able to serve you a cool treat in plenty of different flavors. Kakigori has been around for quite some time, with the first store supposedly opening in 1869 and being enjoyed in Japan even before that. 

Shaved ice is unique in Japan because it’s closer to fresh snow in terms of consistency, being both light and fluffy. And with flavors like strawberry, green tea, or melon, it’s no wonder people love this cool treat on a hot summer’s day.

Group Games

Japan loves games, with many people learning new games to pass the time from elementary school to university. Here is one easy game that always seems to pop up in group settings and that you can always play on the beach.

Yamanote-Sen Game

The Yamanote-sen (Yamanote Train Line) game is a fun game of ‘categories’. The game gets its name from the Yamanote Line, a train line running around Central Tokyo, hitting all of the major stations. So, it’s perfect for a game of ‘categories.’ The game works like the game ‘categories’ in other countries. 

Takenoko Takenoko Nyokki Ki

This game is excellent for a larger group of maybe five or more. ‘Takenoko‘ means bamboo, and ‘nyokki’ is the sound of bamboo when it sprouts. Finally, ‘Ki’ means tree. 

Everyone starts by chanting the game’s name. Then, one at a time, you start counting up from one, raising your hands in the air and saying, ‘one nyokki, two nyokki, and so on’. 

You have to count to the same number as there are people in your group. Eight people mean you have to count to eight nyokki. However, if two people say a number simultaneously, you lose. Also, you lose if you’re the last person to say a number.  

Hanabi

It’s no secret that Japan loves hanabi (fireworks), and summer is the best time to do them. That’s why many summer festivals, like the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, feature impressive fireworks displays. You may not be able to recreate some of the excellent professional displays, but you can enjoy plenty of smaller fireworks at the beach towards the evening or nighttime. 

Fireworks are readily available all over Japan during the summer, so you can even buy them at convenience stores. In other words, you can even grab some fireworks to play with on your way to the beach or nearby. Plus, the sparklers are always great for some Instagram beach photo opportunities.

Now that you have all the knowledge you need for your Japanese anime beach day, it’s time to put it into practice. What Japanese beach activities do you want to try? Are there any you tried and loved? Let us know in the comments!