These areas boast some of the best beaches in all of Kansai (south-central Japan), and are home to historic onsen areas, as well as offering coral reefs said to be a diver's paradise.

The carcass was discovered on Sunday at a beach in Kamakura, a city 70km (43 miles) south of Tokyo, on Japan's southern coast. Blue whales are the largest of all animals. They can grow to 30m ...