Shonan Beach is a great place to get away from the city. It’s totally chill compared to other parts of Japan and it’s only one hour from Tokyo – easily accessible by train or by car. It’s a straight shot from Shinjuku on the Odakyu line heading west. It’s a must see if you’re in Japan during the summertime and if you go, make sure you eat ‘shirasu‘ which is what the area is famous for.
Concession stands line the sidewalk.
Shonan Beach Bars!
We walked up on a little J-Pop concert.
I was immediately rushed by security who told me picture taking on the beach is illegal. Apparently it is but I didn’t know. Oops.
Yep, most young, high school Japanese chics dye their hair blonde.
Sweeeet!
I normally don’t see a lot of people openly sporting tattoos in Tokyo, but Shonan Beach was packed with Ink.
A work in progress…
This lifeguard stand is super-lame compared to lifeguard stands on Miami Beach.
A beach-ball volley session kept us entertained while my back was getting completely sunburned!
The skirt thingy seems to be a popular swimwear choice for J-girls.
To my disbelief a majority wore a float around their waist… out of water. It just seemed all very, very wrong.
These girls must really be shy. But at least I didn’t see any guys wearing a waste-float which might have disturbed me.
Back to reality…
Boku-san soaking up the rays and enjoying a little time away from the gym.
There were lots of kids playing in the volcanic ash sand.
These beach bars are quiet and laid back compared to Florida beach bars that I grew up frequenting. Nowhere near the sales volume of booze – not even close.
My homies: the ‘young gun’ on the far left, next to him MMA fighter Kotetsu Boku, to his right, large-and-in-charge ex-MMA fighter Kengo Watanabe (seriously… look at how big that guy is)… and to the far right Nori-san.
From Shonan Beach you can see Enoshima which is a very cool place for site seeing tourists.
Don’t let that smile fool you. This guy is a wrecking machine. Check out his highlight clip on YouTube (which starts off looking like a commercial…but trust me… just watch it).
More photos’ of the chicks’ pls. than the homies.
Easy guy. There are female readers here too.
Compare everything to USA why? This Japan. Don’t compare.
Not ‘everything’ – I made two comparisons to Florida beaches because that’s where I grew up and that’s what I know.
Seriously, Jim Kim, don’t flip out. How can someone travel and not compare things to home a little?
I will see more fotos of these lovley guys :))))
Tatoos are cool – i like men with tatoos :)))
check it out baby :)
I hear those Tune-In-Tokyo fans are serious collectors items!
I might be on to something here.
Zushi is cool as well. Same vibe. Laid back and lots of tattoo sporting men and women. I noticed the obession with child floatation devices as well….what can you do?
If you go to Zushi check out a beach bar sort of near the Marina named “OASIS”. I was there on a thursday and it was packed. Cool mellow music and lots of people, 70 % of the fairer sex to my liking. drinks were reasonable and the chow was good. Zushi-OASIS.
I understand what you wanted to photograph. Even as neotenous as the photos of the ladies were, the scene over at Shonan was pretty cool looking. I won’t be going there. I was hoping to get a chance to visit a beach in Akita this summer. I think there’s where the real action is.
Looks like an awesome getaway from Tokyo. How much is the train pass, and how far is the station from the beach, walking-wise?
Wow those girls are pretty tanned. Here I thought the majority of Japanese preferred light skin only, but i guess the younger generations digs it. A Japanese friend of mine mentioned that there was a Japanese word for that tan/hippy trend. I forget the what it was.
Do your MMA friends compete in the states too?
I’m not sure about the cost for a train ride but I think it would be about 1500 JPY from Tokyo (one way). The train station is 15 minutes walk from the beach but we took a car.
There’s an entire cult of young Japanese that are obsessed with tanning. I’m not sure what they’re called… but there’s got to be a name for them.
My MMA friends fight in Japan for the most part. I’d like to see Boku-san fight in the US at some point. If the opportunity was there I’m sure he’d be interested! That would be a good reason for me to take a trip back home.
gyaru, or something like that.
Sorry, the word is “ganguro gyaru”. This is a fashion in decline where girls try and mimic blonde, tanned Californian girls.
Gyaru is written in katakana, where it’s replicating the English word “gal” (thanks wikipedia!)
I always like it when MMA fighters photos are posted online….so I know who not to mess with in the streets! I noticed waves, but only saw boogie boards. Was there surfing in the area?
Yeah, there were a ton of people surfing.
Awesome pics !!!!! Cheers
Would love to see more of those J-babes!! I stumbled this one because it rules!!
Kotetsu Boku is a fricken killer!@#$ I saw on here he’s fighting for the title this month. I hope he wins because he seems like he’s TRUE.
Great photos! What camera do you use? Gonna have to add those guys to the do not mess with list too^^
Thanks for the comment. I normally use the Canon 5DMKII but since it was a beach day I brought my “B” camera – a Nikon D80.
i just tumbled across your blog and i love it :) im going back for the first in a long time and I’m actually nervous about going back! I saw in one of your photos you mentioned you don’t see many people in Tokyo sporting tattoos…and I actually have a lotta japanese style tattoos and I’m wondering if I’d be frowned upon walking thru the city or like hitting up department stores and stuff??
Hi there! Thanks for reading the blog. I’m glad you like it!
Being tattooed will draw various reactions from people no matter where you are. Japan is a bit more conservative when it comes to ink but I think as long as you are respectful to people in general you won’t have any problems. However, there are times when you should cover up and you should use your best judgment on that one!
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hi.i am went sexy photo. tankyou
Love reading about other cultures and pics make it even better! I had no idea that the girls there would dye their hair blonde and love the tanned look. I had always pictured Japanese culture much more conservative. Thanks for sharing very interesting!
I found this site after reading, GTO and GTO 14 days in Shonan Days! :D
Getting a tattoo is a good way to get Hepatitis C. See how well you fight after that.
….and you can’t live without a liver, either.
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Hi there! Just discovered shonan beach fm , jazz radio. Very cool and laid back beach vibe. Pretty girls, hot sand, cool beer and good vibes. Looks like a great place. I like Japan!!