During the Kamakura Period (1192-1333), Yuigahama Beach and the nearby area were called Maehama. The name often appears in the “Azuma Kagami,” a Japanese classic which describes the events of the Kamakura Shogunate. In those days, the beach was used by warriors who practiced martial arts, including horseback archery. The Minamoto clan, who established the Kamakura Shogunate, regarded the beach as a sacred site and the successive shoguns used to purify their body here before they visited shrines in Izu or Hakone.From the late 12th century, the area became a battlefield between gokenin, direct vassals of the shogun. One of the battles was the attack of Nitta Yoshisada against the defense force of the Hojo family, the regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. The battle led to the collapse of the military government. Due to such a history, human remains can be still unearthed in this area. Today, Yuigahama is known as a leisure destination. There are a number of seaside houses with showering facility, eating and resting places. During summer, the area is crowded with people enjoying swimming and surfing.