Japan opens beaches near damaged power plant

(CBS News) People in Japan are looking for ways to beat this summer's record heat. This week, Tokyo saw evening temperatures hit their highest since recordkeeping began in the 19th century.

Radioactive water may overflow at Japan plant

Traditionally, the Japanese break the heat by escaping to the beaches, and residents have even started going back to the beaches far too close to the Fukushima nuclear plant that was wrecked by a tsunami in 2011.

Fukushima is located on the Pacific Ocean and was once a paradise for sun worshipers, but since the nuclear accident in 2011 only two beaches have reopened.

Radiation tests of seawater and sand at these beaches and along other Pacific beaches show no impact, at least not yet, from the leaking nuclear reactors, but with new and disturbing revelations about radiation contamination draining into the sea just 22 miles south, most are shunning the shore.

Tons of tainted water leaking into ocean from Fukushima

Yotsukura beach in Fukushima averages just a few hundred patrons daily, which is down by more 90 percent pre-catastrophe.

For Lucy Craft's full report, watch the video in the player above.