Umi-no-Koen (Kanazawa Seaside Park)

Umi-no-Koen, whose name means simply 'Sea Park', is a broad waterfront park in the Kanazawa Ward at Yokohama's southern edge, and it holds a distinction unusual for this industrial harbour city: it has the only beach within Yokohama where swimming is officially allowed. Stretching for about a kilometre along a sheltered inlet of Tokyo Bay, its gentle arc of sand — entirely man-made, created when the surrounding land was reclaimed in the 1980s — has become a much-loved summer playground and a year-round green space for the families of southern Yokohama.

The park's centrepiece is that long, shallow beach, backed by grassy lawns and lines of trees. In summer it draws crowds for swimming, sunbathing and beach games in water calmed by the enclosing breakwaters and neighbouring islands. But the beach is arguably even more popular in spring, when the exposed tidal flats at low tide become one of the Kanto region's best-known spots for shiohigari — clam-digging — a cherished seasonal pastime in which families wade out with buckets and rakes to gather asari clams from the sand. Birdwatchers, too, prize these flats, which attract wading shorebirds and migrating waterfowl.

Behind the sand, the park offers all the trappings of a well-equipped urban recreation ground: wide lawns for picnics and kite-flying, cycling and jogging paths, a designated barbecue area, and rows of cherry trees that blossom in spring to add a pink fringe to the seaside setting. The flat, open layout and sweeping bay views make it a fine place simply to walk, cycle or watch the boats, with the Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise amusement and aquarium complex visible just across the water on its own island — an easy pairing for a full family day out.

The mood is easygoing and family-oriented, busiest on summer weekends and during the spring clam-digging season, and pleasantly quiet on off-season weekdays when the beach belongs to walkers and dog-owners. Facilities include restrooms, showers and changing areas in season, vending machines, and paid parking, and the level ground makes most of the park accessible, though the beach itself involves the usual soft sand. As an artificial recreation beach it is more about relaxed seaside leisure than pristine wilderness, but for city dwellers it offers a genuine dose of sand, sea air and open horizon.

Reaching Umi-no-Koen is part of the fun: take the JR Negishi Line to Shin-Sugita, then ride the elevated, driverless Kanazawa Seaside Line, which curves out over the reclaimed waterfront, and get off at Umi-no-koen Shibaguchi or Umi-no-koen Minami-guchi, each a short walk from the sand. Come in summer for swimming and barbecues, in spring for clams and cherry blossom, and any clear day for a breezy bayside stroll well away from the crowds of central Yokohama.