Heavenly Hayama

A Favorite Summertime Getaway from Tokyo

Hey there reader! Welcome back to another round of off the beaten path travel. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the beachside town of Hayama. Located southeast of the ever-popular tourist area of Kamakura on the Miura Peninsula, Hayama is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of its north-western neighbor. In fact, if I had to describe this seaside hamlet to an overseas visitor, I would have to assert that it is quite literally the antithesis of tourism. Put simply, this is the type of spot that appeals to people who are sick of sightseeing.

Now, given that I write about traveling in Japan, you might be wondering why I would even bother to recommend a location that is not well suited to tourism. Here, you need to understand that there are areas like Kyoto that cater well to sightseeing (meaning frequenting attraction after attraction). On the other hand though, there are also spots like Hayama that are more suited to travelers enjoying extended stints in Japan. For example, whenever my close buddy’s family visits for weeks at a time, they always end up spending a great deal of time enjoying Hayama.

At the same time as it caters to a slower style of travel, Hayama is also the perfect getaway for Tokyo’s expat community. While many of the other beach towns within the vicinity of the…