Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast) is a beach on Ishigaki Island, one of Okinawa Prefecture’s outlying islands.
It lies along the shore of the Akaishi settlement, at the base of the Hirakubo Peninsula in the northeast of Ishigaki Island, where the sand curves for roughly a kilometer.
It is a natural shore with almost no human intervention, and few visitors come, so it stays quiet.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, take care when going into the water.
Ratings for Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast)
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast) at a Glance
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Opening hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Safety net | No |
| Lifeguard | No |
| Showers | No |
| Lockers | No |
| Equipment rental | No |
| Activities | No |
| Shop | No |
| Restrooms | No |
| Official website | No |
Akaishi Beach is not a managed beach, so there are no lifeguards and no jellyfish net.
There are no restrooms, showers, or shops here either, though the Akaishi settlement nearby has a community store.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, take care when going into the water.
What Makes It Worth Visiting
Roughly a Kilometer of Sand
The sand at Akaishi Beach curves in an arc for roughly a kilometer.
It is one of the longest stretches of sand on Ishigaki Island, and simply walking it is a pleasure.
Shallow, Calm Water
The seabed at Akaishi Beach shelves gently.
The waves are relatively calm too, so it suits paddling with small children.
Few Visitors, and Quiet
Akaishi Beach has not been developed for tourism, so you will hardly see another visitor.
It suits anyone who wants unhurried time somewhere quiet, or an easy walk along the shore.
No Restrooms or Showers
There are no restrooms, showers, changing rooms, or lockers.
It is not a managed swimming beach, so there is no equipment rental and no shop.
Points to Note
Akaishi Beach faces east to north, so in winter, when the north wind blows hard, the waves get high and conditions turn dangerous.
There are no lifeguards, so stay out of the water on windy days and when the waves are up.
There is no jellyfish net either, so wearing a rash guard is worth doing when swimming in summer.
Access and Parking
| Access | About 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Ibaruma, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Akaishi Beach has space where you can park for free.
It is not a formal, paved parking lot, though, so take care not to obstruct passing traffic or daily life in the settlement.
See the Google Map below for details.
Nearby
Activities on Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island has a great deal to do.
Marine activities in particular are plentiful — snorkeling, diving, SUP, kayaking, and more.
If any of that appeals, take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
Rental Cars on Ishigaki Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Ishigaki Island.
Scenic spots such as Kabira Bay and Yonehara Beach are spread across the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Bus services on Ishigaki Island are infrequent, and a car makes a real difference to how much you can fit in.
Cars fill up quickly in the peak season, so we recommend booking early once your travel dates are set. One important note for overseas visitors: to drive in Japan you must obtain an International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) in your home country before you depart, and remember that traffic in Japan drives on the left.
Tamatorizaki Observatory
Tamatorizaki Observatory is a viewpoint reached by driving south from Akaishi Beach.
It takes in the narrow neck of the Hirakubo Peninsula with the sea on both sides, and ranks among the finest views on Ishigaki Island.
Summary
This guide has covered Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast).
Akaishi Beach is defined by a kilometer of sand curving in an arc, and by shallow water.
You will hardly see another visitor, so it suits anyone who wants unhurried time somewhere quiet.
When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to make time for Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast).
Thank you for reading to the end.
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