Before living in Japan, I associated the country more as a winter travel destination. Many fellow Australians that I knew would head here for skiing and snowboarding on the slopes at Niseko and Hakuba, so it was somewhat of a surprise for me to learn that Japan has tropical beaches, too!

My favorite beach that I've visited in Japan thus far is Okuma, in Okinawa Prefecture. The beach is situated on the northern coast of the island, away from the hustle and bustle of Naha City. The water at the beach is crystal clear and the crowds are minimal. There are also some great hikes around the area which give spectacular views of the region.