The Shimoji area in the southwest of Miyako Island, together with Kurima Island across the Kurima Ohashi Bridge, holds the finest concentration of white sand on the island.
Led by Yonaha Maehama, often called the most beautiful beach in the Orient, the surrounding coast is dotted with quiet stretches that tourists rarely reach. Cross to Kurima Island and small beaches and observation decks appear one after another along the road that circles it.
This guide covers the eight beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Island area, along with the observation decks and snorkeling spots worth visiting while you are here.
The eight beaches covered here are as follows.
- Yonaha Maehama Beach
- Yonaha Beach North (Uramaehama)
- Nishihama Beach (Nishihamazaki)
- Sanitsu Beach
- Nagama-hama
- Musunun Beach
- Nagasaki-hama
- Kurima Fishing Port Beach
Let’s take a look.
8 Beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Island Area
Yonaha Maehama Beach
The beach that represents Miyako Island is Yonaha Maehama.
Its powder-white sand runs for roughly seven kilometres and has been called the most beautiful in the Orient, with Kurima Island and the Kurima Ohashi Bridge directly ahead. Selected as one of Japan’s 100 finest shorelines, it is the island’s signature view.
Restrooms, showers, and a marine activity desk are all here, along with two free car parks. Facilities and scenery alike leave nothing to complain about.
| Access | About 12 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | 1199 Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Available |
| Parking | Available (two car parks, both free) |
| Restrooms | Available |
Yonaha Beach North (Uramaehama)
Continuing north from Yonaha Maehama is Yonaha Beach North, known locally as Uramaehama.
The same white sand runs on, yet almost no tourists come here. Having water of identical quality to yourself, in near silence, is the real draw.
Parking means pulling over on the roadside, and there are no restrooms. Use the facilities at Maehama before moving on.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (roadside parking) |
| Restrooms | None |
Nishihama Beach (Nishihamazaki)
Nishihama Beach, also known as Nishihamazaki, is a calm stretch of coast in Yonaha, Shimoji.
The water is quiet and shallow, which draws plenty of people for SUP and kayaking. Having both parking and restrooms is another advantage.
It never gets as busy as Yonaha Maehama, making it a good choice if you want unhurried time in the water.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Sanitsu Beach
Sanitsu Beach is a vast tidal flat facing Yonaha Bay.
At low tide the sand stretches as far as you can see, a landscape unlike any other beach on Miyako Island. It is also the setting for Sanitsu, the shore-visiting custom held on the third day of the third lunar month.
It is not suited to swimming, but it is ideal for walking the flats looking for marine life, or watching the sun drop into the horizon.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Nagama-hama
Cross the Kurima Ohashi Bridge and Nagama-hama opens up along the island’s west coast.
With roughly a kilometre of white sand and remarkable clarity, it is the largest of Kurima Island’s quiet beaches. Facing west, it is also a known sunset spot, and the sun setting into the horizon here ranks among the finest views on the island.
There are no swimming facilities whatsoever, so come prepared.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Musunun Beach
Just south of Nagama-hama, also on Kurima Island’s west coast, is Musunun Beach.
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.
There is parking, but no restrooms.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| 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.
In contrast to the popular tourist beaches, hardly anyone comes here.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| 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.
At 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport, it is the easiest of Kurima Island’s beaches to reach.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | None |
Other Sights in the Shimoji and Kurima Island Area
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 | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
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 | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
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 | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
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.
With free parking and restrooms in place, it works well as a base for snorkeling.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Around the Shimoji and Kurima Island Area
Activities on Miyako Island
Snorkeling, diving, SUP, and other marine sports in Miyako Island’s crystal-clear water are hugely popular.
Yonaha Maehama doubles as a base for marine activities, with plenty of SUP and kayak tours on offer. Reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Renting a Car on Miyako Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Miyako Island.
On Kurima Island the beaches and observation decks are spread along the road that circles it, so a car lets you cover them efficiently. Bus services on Miyako Island are infrequent, 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.
Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts
Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts is a long-established hotel that has operated on Miyako Island for more than 30 years.
Yonaha Maehama Beach is about a minute away on foot, making the location hard to beat.
Summary
This guide has covered the eight beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Island area on Miyako Island.
Yonaha Maehama is the island’s flagship, with both facilities and scenery; neighbouring Uramaehama and Kurima Island’s Nagama-hama and Nagasaki-hama are quiet spots few people reach. The same white sand, but a very different way to spend your time.
Add the views from the Kurima Ohashi Bridge and Ryugujo observation decks, plus snorkeling at Tako Park, and this area alone will fill a day.
When you visit Miyako Island, be sure to make time for the beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Island area.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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