Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »
Countries
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan
Cities
  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The tomb
Tomba Dei Gigante S’Ena e Thimes
The serving window during opening hours
Leadenhall Wunderkammer
Raststätte Dreilinden - Renovated, but in hibernation
Tugendamt und Pizzarand (Virtue Office and Pizza Crust)
Red Tank Historical Park
Red Barrels Historical Memorial
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Food window and entrance of center.
Indian Arts Center
Steaming Tender Restaurant
Tiptree Jam Museum entrance.
Tiptree Jam Museum
The Reading Room blends the intimacy of an inviting bar with the inviting solace of a good bookstore.
The Reading Room
Building
The Mountain House
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
One of the gargoyles that adorns Oxford’s Magdalen College.
8 Gargoyles and Grotesques Hiding in Plain Sight
Only-in-Anchorage Winter Traditions
Moose are frequently spotted around Flattop Mountain and the Glen Alps Trailhead.
Anchorage: A City Within the Wild
Where to See the World’s Creepiest Dolls and Toys

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Japan Kamakura Zaimokuza Beach

Zaimokuza Beach

Comb this historic beach at low tide for centuries-old ceramic shards.

Kamakura, Japan

Fred Cherrygarden profile photo
Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Zaimokuza Beach, Kamakura’s best-kept secret.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Visit at low tide and search for treasure.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Ceramic shards, seashells, and sea glass galore.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The beach is right next to the more famous Yuigahama.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Enoshima can be seen in the distance.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Blue-and-white shards are fairly easy to find.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Kamakura, the medieval capital of Japan, is a kind of city that would “yield something if you dig somewhere,” not unlike Athens or Rome. So it may not come as a surprise that its beaches are not only surfing spots but also of archaeological interest.

Zaimokuza Beach, located right next to the more famous Yuigahama Beach, is popular among beachcombing enthusiasts, but there’s more to it than the usual seashells and sea glass: it’s home to tens of thousands of ceramic shards, many dating back centuries. Once the main port of Kamakura, the coast of Zaimokuza was often visited by Chinese traders who brought with them a load of beautiful celadonware. 

 

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Know Before You Go

The days after a typhoon are said to be the best time for beachcombing, since the storm churns the sea and may bring long-buried artifacts to the surface; while any season is good, summer naturally attracts more crowds than usual. You can also check out the daily low tide timings on Kamakura City’s official website.

Community Contributors

Fred Cherrygarden profile photo

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Zaimokuza Beach
Japan, Kanagawa, Kamakura, Zaimokuza5 Chome, 材木座海岸
Kamakura, 248-0013
Japan

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kamakura

Kamakura

Japan

Places 31

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kamakura

Kamakura

Japan

Places 31
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.