Once the rainy season is over, summer finally arrives in Fukushima Prefecture. Many people are probably planning how to make the most of the hot days ahead. One great way to enjoy the season is spending time at the beach, along with seaside BBQs and camping surrounded by nature.

梅雨が明けると、福島県にはいよいよ本格的な夏がやってきます。この暑い季節をどうやって楽しく過ごそうかと、計画を立てている方も多いでしょう。大自然を満喫できる海水浴と海辺でのBBQやキャンプは一つのおすすめです。

Having grown up in a landlocked country, trips to the sea during family vacations abroad always felt special to me as a child. I looked forward to picking out cute swimsuits, gazing at the endless ocean, eating fruit by the shore, and tanning on a sun lounger. When I first visited the coast in the Hamadōri region in Fukushima, still carrying those images of beaches in my mind, I realized how differently people enjoy the coast depending on the country. Here, families were setting up tents for BBQs, groups of men enjoyed yakitori and beer, and surfers walked around in full gear. It all felt very new to me, and eventually I came to see both ways of enjoying the beach as unique parts of local seaside culture.

海のない国で育った私にとって、子供の頃に海外旅行で出かけていた海は特別な体験でした。きれいな水着を選び、どこまでも広がる海を眺めながら果物を食べたり、サンラウンジャーで日焼けをしたりする時間を毎回楽しみにしていました。そのようなイメージを抱いたまま初めて浜通りへ行った時、海の楽しみ方の違いを実感しました。海辺でテントを立ててBBQをする家族や、焼き鳥やビールを片手に盛り上がる人、サーフウェアの姿で歩く人たちの光景は新鮮でした。海の楽しみ方はそれぞれだと思い、どちらもその土地らしい文化だと感じました。

Fukushima's coastline offers a wide variety of beaches. Most are open from mid-July to around mid-August, with the swimming season lasting about a month. Visiting during the official season is recommended, as there are no lifeguards on duty before the beaches open, and jellyfish become more common from late August onward. In this article, I will introduce some of Fukushima's popular beaches, along with a lakeside swimming spot known for its calm waters. You are sure to find a spot that suits your style.

福島の浜には多様な海水浴場があります。県内の海水浴場は7月中旬から8月中旬頃に開設されることが多く、1か月ほど海水浴を楽しめます。海開き前は監視員が配置されていないことと、8月下旬を過ぎるとクラゲが出やすくなるので、開設期間中に訪れることをおすすめします。この記事では、県内の人気海水浴場に加え、波が静かで泳ぎやすい湖水浴場を併せてご紹介します。お好みの場所がきっと見つかるでしょう。