Summer has arrived in Amakusa. On July 1, 2026, Amakusa City held its annual umi-biraki kigansai (sea-opening prayer ceremony) at Shiratsuruha Beach (白鶴浜海水浴場), a Shinto ritual that formally marks the start of the swimming season and prays for the safety of everyone who visits the water over the coming months.
The ceremony almost didn’t get the weather it deserved — rain had been falling in the days leading up to the event, and organisers were keeping a close eye on the forecast. But just before the ritual began, the clouds parted and blue sky appeared over the beach. Local Shinto priests led attendees through the ceremony as a sea breeze rolled in off the Amakusa coast — about as perfect a setting as you could hope for.
The prayers offered at the ceremony centred on two wishes: that everyone who visits Amakusa’s beaches this season will do so safely without injury, and that as many people as possible will come to the coast and make unforgettable summer memories. Both feel like good reasons to start planning a trip.
Amakusa is one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s most spectacular coastal destinations — a chain of islands connected by bridges to the mainland, with clear water, fishing villages, and some of the best seafood in Kyushu. Shiratsuruha Beach is one of its most popular swimming spots. If you’re looking for a summer day trip or overnight from Kumamoto City, the Amakusa coast is well worth the drive. Check out our guide to Kumamoto Prefecture’s regions for more on what Amakusa has to offer.
Source: Amakusa Tourism
