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During the hot Japanese summers, many people will visit beaches for swimming, recreation, and relaxation.  In the area around Yokosuka City, there are several popular beaches.  For example, to the north is Zushi Beach, which is a short ride away on the JR Yokosuka railway.  Then to the south is Miura Kaigan Beach, which can be easily accessed by using the Keihin Kyuko railway.  Riding the trains to go to the beach is a pretty common practice, as parking there can be difficult due to crowding, and it also is not free.  However, the Japanese have developed a unique business model, which allows customers to arrive at the beach in their normal street clothes and then change into swimwear once they are there.  During the peak summer recreation months (late-July through September) numerous "beach houses" (海の家, Umi no Ie) are lined-up just beyond the high tide line.  The "Umi no Ie" beach houses are built-up during May and June, and then removed in the fall.  Some of them are pretty simple structures made from plywood and bamboo/rattan screens, while others are more complex using metal and composite building materials -- the variety of structures is almost endless.  Regardless of how simple or fancy, every Umi no Ie beach house, for a nominal entrance fee, will offer the following: shade, a place to sit, a place to change & store clothes, and a shower.  Umi no Ie will generally sell food and drinks (including alcohol), and some will rent out barbecue equipment as well as provide leisure gear like beach chairs, parasols, floats and inner tubes, etc.  Of course, it is possible to visit and enjoy Japanese beaches without using (paying for) the beach houses, so if that is your preference, please do so.  Finally, there are many other beaches near Yokosuka besides the two which are mentioned in this article -- so, check out information on the Internet and then go out and explore to find the one which is best for you

Written by Goodfield

Link about Umi no Ie:

Umi no ie, Japanese beach houses | Japan Experience (japan-experience.com)

長浜海岸 | 横須賀市観光情報 (cocoyoko.net)

海の家 時代の波受け 長浜海岸のみ開設 | 横須賀・三浦 | タウンニュース (townnews.co.jp)