Ishiki Beach is a stretch of shore on Kudaka Island in Nanjo City, southern Okinawa, and it can easily be seen on a day trip.
Legend holds that a jar containing the seeds of the five grains drifted ashore at Ishiki Beach from Nirai Kanai, and that those seeds marked the beginning of farming in Ryukyu.
Ishiki Beach is also well known as a power spot, and swimming is not permitted here – please bear that in mind.
Let’s take a look.
Ratings for Ishiki Beach
*Ratings are the personal impressions of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture
Ishiki Beach at a glance
| Swimming season | Swimming not permitted |
| Opening hours | None in particular |
| Lifeguards | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Equipment rental | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restrooms | None |
| Official website | None |
Swimming is not permitted at Ishiki Beach. If you want to swim on Kudaka Island, head for Meegi Beach.
What to look out for
The legend of the five grains
The story that a jar holding the seeds of the five grains drifted ashore at Ishiki Beach from Nirai Kanai is known as the legend of the origin of the five grains.
Unspoilt, beautiful water
The sea here is wonderfully clear and completely unspoilt.
The weather was poor when we visited so our photographs do not do it justice – on a fine day it is even more striking.
Lovely rocks
The natural rock formations are beautiful too, and personally a favourite part of the place.
Usaki
There is a stone monument here inscribed “Usaki”.
We do not know the story behind it, but we did see people offering prayers there.
Swimming is not permitted, as this is a sacred site
Ishiki Beach is a sacred site, so swimming is not permitted.
Allow about 15 minutes
Ishiki Beach has a spiritual atmosphere, and you can enjoy the rocks and the beautiful white sand.
There is nowhere to sit and rest, so around 15 minutes is plenty for a memorable visit.
Getting there
| Access | About 7 minutes by bicycle from Tokujin Port |
| Address | Chinen Kudaka, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Parking | None |
| Restrooms | None |
Ishiki Beach is about 7 minutes by bicycle from Tokujin Port, the harbour on Kudaka Island.
For how to get to Kudaka Island from Okinawa’s main island, see our article “Kudaka Island | Ferry Times, Getting There and Accommodation“.
What’s nearby Ishiki Beach
About Kudaka Island
Kudaka Island plays an important role in Okinawan mythology. Known as the place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of the Ryukyuan creation myth, first came ashore, it is also called the island of the gods.
Those myths still run deep on the island, and islanders and Okinawans alike continue to pass on its history and rites, holding ceremonies year after year.
We cover the best of Kudaka Island in the article below – do take a look.
Recommended activities in Nanjo City
Nanjo City offers a wide range of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkelling, SUP and more.
If you would like to try diving or snorkelling, take a look at what is available on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo offers reasonable rates and a natural hot spring – a rarity in Okinawa.
On clear days you can also enjoy fine views of the sea from its hilltop setting.
Sefa Utaki
Source: Nanjo Digital Archive
Sefa Utaki is an utaki, or sacred site, in Nanjo City in the south of Okinawa Prefecture.
Sefa Utaki is the spiritual heart of Okinawa, where nature and myth are woven together – here we introduce the highlights of this sacred place.
Summary
In this article we introduced Ishiki Beach.
Ishiki Beach is a place to take in both the spiritual atmosphere of a sacred site and a beautiful stretch of sea.
Swimming is not permitted, so please check before you go.
If you are going to Kudaka Island, do make time for Ishiki Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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