Okinawa’s subtropical climate and turquoise waters make it one of Japan’s most breathtaking escapes. Published on April 14, 2026 Sunayama (Sand Mountain) Beach in Okinawa, Japan. Credit: AJ Brustein / Getty Images If Japan is near the top of your travel wish list, you’re not the only one. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization , the country experienced a record-breaking number of visitors in 2025. Nearly 43 million international travelers headed to the Land of the Rising Sun, with 3.3 million of them hailing from the United States. Of course, the bright lights and culture of Tokyo and Osaka , the temples and gardens in Kyoto , and the northern ski resorts provide plenty of reasons to plan a trip. But Japan also delivers on another front: its beaches.…