Kurima Island, a small remote island reached across Kurima Ohashi Bridge from Miyako Island. Did you know it has a quiet, beautiful hidden beach a little different from the famous, tourist-bustling ones?
Its name is “Musunun Beach.” A hidden gem rarely listed in guidebooks, it’s a beach with many faces throughout the day — wonderfully clear Miyako Blue water, a stunning sunset sinking into the horizon, and at night a star-filled sky where you can even see the Milky Way.
In this article, we’ll cover the appeal of Musunun Beach, cautions to know before visiting, access and parking, and recommended nearby information in detail.
- Musunun Beach Ratings
- Musunun Beach Basic Information
- The Appeal of Musunun Beach (Kurima Island)
- An insider’s hidden beach not listed in guidebooks
- A shore where the island’s prayers live on, bearing the name “Musunun = insect-repelling”
- Just like a private beach
- You can snorkel, too
- A stunning view of white sand and Miyako Blue, ringed by Ryukyu limestone rocks
- The island’s finest sunset spot! The sun sinking into the horizon is exceptional
- At night, the star-filled sky takes the lead! The Milky Way and Southern Cross, too
- Cautions to know before visiting
- Access & Parking
- Nearby Information
- Summary
Musunun Beach Ratings
Musunun Beach Basic Information
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Rentals | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restroom | None |
| Official site | – |
Musunun Beach is a hidden beach, without many tourists.
It’s recommended for those who want to relax at the beach or see a beautiful starry sky.
The Appeal of Musunun Beach (Kurima Island)
An insider’s hidden beach not listed in guidebooks
Musunun Beach is rarely listed in guidebooks — truly an “insider’s” beach.
With no signs installed, it’s such a hidden spot that you need to rely on Google Maps to find it. Untouched nature and a special space, savored only by those who visit, spread out here.
A shore where the island’s prayers live on, bearing the name “Musunun = insect-repelling”
“Musunun” means “insect-repelling” in the Miyako dialect, and it’s a sacred place where “Musunun Ugan,” a ritual praying for a good harvest and freedom from illness, is held.
After gathering and burning field pests, packing them into a giant clam shell and releasing it into the sea to pray for a bountiful harvest, the islanders offer songs, dances, and sumo — a traditional event still carried on today.
Just like a private beach
With only space to park a few cars, you can savor exactly the atmosphere of a private beach.
In the calm space where only the sound of waves and sea breeze echoes, at quiet times you’ll feel the luxury of having the shore all to yourself. It’s the perfect place to spend time forgetting the everyday bustle.
You can snorkel, too
Since Musunun Beach is a sandy beach, if you head a little offshore you can also enjoy snorkeling. In the clear water, you may meet cute tropical fish like sergeant majors and Moorish idols.
However, the waves are usually high and there are no lifeguards, so check the sea conditions well and enjoy only after taking ample care with safety.
Also, those who want to snorkel safely might consider experiencing it on a tour.
A stunning view of white sand and Miyako Blue, ringed by Ryukyu limestone rocks
It’s a compact beach where Ryukyu limestone rocks continue as if to encircle it.
The contrast of tropical greenery like pandanus and velvet-leaf soldierbush with the white sand ringed by rugged rocks is breathtakingly beautiful.
Wonderfully clear emerald-green water spreads out before you.
The island’s finest sunset spot! The sun sinking into the horizon is exceptional
Because it’s on the west side of the island, the beauty of the sun setting into the sea is exceptional.
With no buildings to block the view, it’s a prime location where you can watch the sun sink into the horizon head-on.
The dusk hour, when the whole shore is dyed golden, will become an unforgettable travel memory.
At night, the star-filled sky takes the lead! The Milky Way and Southern Cross, too
With no artificial lights whatsoever around, a stunningly beautiful starry sky spreads across the whole of the heavens above, and it’s also a renowned stargazing spot where you can clearly make out the Milky Way.
If you’re lucky, you can see the Southern Cross, too, with around the new moon in early July recommended. It’s a beach with completely different faces by day and night.
Cautions to know before visiting
Because the currents are fast, it isn’t suited to swimming, and there are no restrooms or showers.
With no lifeguards, either, on days when the waves are high it’s best not to enter the sea and to enjoy the scenery from the shore. The inconvenience of having nothing could be said to be the very charm of this shore.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
| Address | Kurima, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes |
| Restroom | None |
Musunun Beach has space to park.
It’s not exactly a dedicated lot, but you can park about 7 cars in total. Please check the Google Map below for details.
Nearby Information
Activities on Miyako Island
On Miyako Island, marine sports such as snorkeling, diving, and SUP in the crystal-clear sea are hugely popular.
On some tours you might even be lucky enough to see sea turtles, so be sure to enjoy them!
Miyakojima Kurima Resort Seawood Hotel
A full-fledged resort hotel that opened in 2020 on Kurima Island — connected to Miyako Island by Kurima Ohashi Bridge — boasting vast grounds of about 130,000 square meters.
With two types across 169 units — freestanding “Villa Houses” with a private pool and jacuzzi, and the hotel-wing “Shuri House” — it makes possible a luxurious “travel as if living” stay.
Wrapped in the Miyako Blue sea and a sky full of stars, you can spend supreme island time at the spa, pool, and a restaurant devoted to local ingredients — the perfect base for Kurima Island sightseeing.
Summary
Kurima Island’s “Musunun Beach” is an insider’s hidden beach not even listed in guidebooks. The white-sand beach ringed by Ryukyu limestone rocks and the Miyako Blue sea are just like a private beach, and it’s also a special place where the island’s ritual “Musunun Ugan” is still carried on — a shore where prayer lives on.
A big draw is that it shows completely different stunning views by the hour — an exceptional sunset sinking into the horizon at dusk, and a star-filled sky at night where you can even see the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
However, with fast currents and no lifeguards it isn’t suited to swimming, and there are no facilities like restrooms or showers. When you visit, take ample care with safety and leisurely savor the “luxury of nothing.” When you come to Kurima Island, it’s a soothing spot you’ll want to stop by.
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