This guide covers every beach on Kurima Island.
Kurima Island lies off the southwest coast of Miyako Island, connected by the long Kurima Ohashi Bridge, so despite being an outlying island you can drive straight there.
Known for exceptionally clear water and beautiful sunsets, it draws large numbers of visitors every year.
The five beaches covered here are as follows.
- Nagama-hama
- Musunun Beach
- Nagasaki-hama
- Kurima Fishing Port Beach
- Tako Park
The island’s three observation decks are introduced as well.
Let’s take a look.
Every Beach on Kurima Island
Nagama-hama
Cross the 1,690-metre Kurima Ohashi Bridge from Miyako Island and Nagama-hama opens up along the island’s west coast.
This hidden beach is defined by roughly a kilometre of white sand and water of remarkable clarity.
Facing west, it is also a well-known sunset spot, and the sun sinking into the horizon here ranks among the finest views on Kurima Island.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Musunun Beach
Musunun Beach lies just south of Nagama-hama, also on Kurima Island’s west coast.
It is a small cove ringed by rocks, known as a quiet spot for snorkeling.
Almost no tourists come here, making it ideal for anyone who wants the sea to themselves.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Nagasaki-hama
Nagasaki-hama, on the northwest side of Kurima Island, is a quiet beach with views of the Kurima Ohashi Bridge.
Nothing blocks the sky here, which has made it a popular spot for stargazing.
Clear water by day and a sky full of stars by night make it rewarding at any hour.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Kurima Fishing Port Beach
On the eastern side of Kurima Island, right beside Kurima Fishing Port, sits Kurima Fishing Port Beach.
The Kurima Ohashi Bridge stands close at hand, and the contrast between the white sand and emerald water is striking.
With the port alongside it the water stays calm, and hardly any tourists find their way here.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Tako Park
Tako Park stands on the north side of Kurima Island, at the foot of the Kurima Ohashi Bridge.
It is a small park marked by an octopus-shaped slide, but it doubles as one of the island’s finest snorkeling spots.
Steps lead straight into the water, where the clarity lets you watch coral and tropical fish up close.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Other Sights on Kurima Island
Beyond its beaches, Kurima Island has several observation decks with views across the island and over to Miyako Island.
Kurima Ohashi Bridge Observation Deck
Standing at the foot of the bridge, this deck takes in both the 1,690-metre Kurima Ohashi Bridge and Yonaha Maehama Beach in a single sweep.
Below you stretches the white sand of Yonaha Maehama, often called the most beautiful beach in the Orient, with an open panorama reaching all the way to Miyako Island.
It sits right by the car park, making it a natural first stop after crossing onto Kurima Island.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Ryugujo Observation Deck
This three-storey deck on high ground on the island’s north side draws the eye with a vermilion exterior evoking Ryugujo, the palace of the Dragon King it is named after.
From the top floor you can take in the Kurima Ohashi Bridge, Yonaha Maehama, and the Miyako Blue sea all at once, and it is widely considered the finest viewpoint on the island.
With few lights nearby it is also popular for stargazing, and around 15 minutes is enough for a visit.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Matsunoki Observation Deck
Near the island’s village, Matsunoki Observation Deck is a quiet spot cherished by local residents.
From the rise you look down over the village and the blue sea, and with few tourists around you can take in the view at your own pace.
Nearby are an utaki sacred site and the Patsua stone-paved path, so it pairs well with a stroll through island life and history.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Around Kurima Island
Activities on Kurima Island
Snorkeling, diving, SUP, and other marine sports in Kurima Island’s crystal-clear water are hugely popular.
On some tours you may even be lucky enough to see a sea turtle.
Miyakojima Kurima Resort Seawood Hotel
Opened in 2020 on Kurima Island, linked to Miyako Island by the Kurima Ohashi Bridge, this full-scale resort occupies grounds of roughly 130,000 square metres.
Its 169 units come in two styles, standalone “Villa Houses” with private pools and jacuzzis, and the “Shuri House” hotel wing, offering the luxury of travelling as though you live there.
Surrounded by the Miyako Blue sea and a sky full of stars, with a spa, pools, and restaurants built around local ingredients, it makes an ideal base for exploring Kurima Island.
Rental Cars on Miyako Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Miyako Island.
Sights such as Yonaha Maehama and the Irabu Ohashi Bridge are scattered across the island, so a car lets you explore at your own pace. Bus services are infrequent here, and having a car makes a huge difference to how much you can fit in.
Reservations fill up quickly in peak season, so book early once your travel dates are decided.
Summary
This guide has covered the beaches of Kurima Island.
Kurima Island is just across the Kurima Ohashi Bridge from Miyako Island, offering exceptionally clear water and beautiful sunsets.
Every beach here stays quiet and uncrowded, making the island ideal for anyone who wants the sea to themselves.
The Kurima Ohashi Bridge and Ryugujo observation decks also offer sweeping views over the bridge and Yonaha Maehama, so pair them with the beaches.
When you visit Miyako Island, be sure to make time for the beaches of Kurima Island.
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