Miyakojima is blessed with miles and miles of white-sand beaches and scuba diving spots galore. It’s the largest of a string of small islands surrounded by aqua waters off the coast of the semi-tropical Okinawa Prefecture. Take a few relaxing breaths, sit back, and soak in the scenery.

On clear days, it almost feels like you are driving on the water as you gaze out at a sea of blues and greens. 

As the fourth largest island in Okinawa, Miyakojima is one of Japan’s most popular getaway spots, along with Ishigaki. Best known for its pristine nature, the island also has a distinct culture from the other Ryukyu Islands.

Beautiful landscapes and the longest and most-scenic toll-free bridge in Japan are just a few of the attractions to look out for.

Aragusuku and Yonaha Maehama Beach

Yonaha Maehama Beach’s sparkling blue waters.

Located on Miyakojima’s eastern coast, Aragusuku Beach (Map) is the perfect spot for snorkeling and sunbathing. Colorful sea life can be seen swimming in the beach’s clear aquamarine waters. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle while snorkeling. Amenities such as parking and showers are also available.

Stretching 7 miles along the Western coast is Yonaha Maehama Beach (Map). Although a bit more touristy than Aragusuku Beach, Yonaha Maehama is one of the most highly ranked sandy beaches in Japan with ample opportunities for water sports and sunbathing.

Once you’ve had enough sun, take a scenic drive along the Irabu Ohashi Bridge (Map), which connects Miyakojima with smaller Irabujima. At 3,540 meters (11,610 feet), it is the longest bridge in Japan to cross without a toll and was built in 2015. On clear days, it almost feels like you are driving on the water as you gaze out at a sea of blues and greens. 

Cape Higashi Henna Zaki

Send a postcard to your momma.

More natural beauty on Miyakojima not to be missed is Cape Higashi Henna Zaki or The Eastern Cape (Map).

This nationally designated “Place of Scenic Beauty” is a truly majestic and untouched spot. The area is lush with greenery and sea-lavender (yes, that’s a thing!). Craggy rocks shoot from the ocean floor, seemingly rolling with the crashing waves.

What to eat in Okinawa

Other attractions at the cape include snorkeling and sea kayaking at Boraga Beach (Map) and Yoshino Beach (Map), two of the best beaches in Miyakojima to see coral and tropical fish. Boraga Beach is also home to a mysterious limestone cave with extraordinary stalactite formations.

Ibusuki is a quaint onsen town tucked away at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in the Kyushu region, making it a convenient day trip from Kagoshima City. The most interesting attraction here is sand bathing where you’ll be buried up to the neck in sand that is naturally heated by hot spring water underneath the beach.

Steam rising from volcanic sand in Ibusuki.

Sand bathing is intended to be relaxing, but it is also said to detoxify the body and refresh the skin. This makes it a popular beauty treatment with Japanese tourists, as well as a novel experience for foreign visitors. Several facilities dotting the town’s seafront offer sand baths.

How sand bathing works

Dressed in light yukata (lightweight cotton kimono), guests are invited to lie down on a secluded section of the beach. A small towel is wrapped around your head as a barrier between you and your pillow of sand, keeping your hair and face clean. Attentive staff members then proceed to cover you in the area’s distinctive hot, dark grey sand.

Photo by: m_sarai_i Close your eyes and relax.

It might feel strange at first, but the weight of the sand is surprisingly comfortable and the heat radiating up from below is incredibly relaxing. Lying in your sand cocoon and listening to the gentle ocean waves lapping at the shore just beyond your feet, you can feel your body melting into the beach. Close your eyes and it’s easy to find yourself dozing off.

…listening to the gentle ocean waves lapping at the shore just beyond your feet, you can feel your body melting into the beach.

After the first five minutes, the attendants offer to pile more sand on top of you. This gives you the option to increase both the weight and the temperature if you feel up to it.

The recommended time limit for sand bathing is 10 to 20 minutes. Afterward, you take a shower to rinse off the sand and then head into the hot springs inside for a double dose of relaxation.

In the area

Mt. Kaimon seen from Nagasakibana Cape in Ibusuki.

The sand baths are one draw to Ibusuki, but you can also enjoy souvenir shopping and visiting the Satsuma Denshokan Museum (Map). Mount Kaimon is about half an hour away by train, so if you want to really earn your relaxation time you could always get in a few hours of hiking first. While you’re in the area, don’t forget to try one of these local dishes from Kagoshima.

Clownfish swim about as your glass-bottom boat zips over Yoron’s pristine waters out to the “disappearing beach.” Ahhhh, heaven. Secluded sandbars accent the paradise life that awaits at Yoron Island, a beautifully remote part of southern Japan with white-sand beaches and lively festival culture. Yoron is actually part of Kagoshima Prefecture, despite being 600 kilometers from Kagoshima City.

Kagoshima is perhaps most well known outside of Japan for its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yakushima Island. While Yakushima is renowned for its hiking, waterfalls, and wildlife, Yoron Island is its more southern, relaxed counterpart.

Local island life

Yoron Island boasts Yoron Blue.

Located much closer to Japan’s main tropical getaway, Okinawa, than Kagoshima, the island makes a point to celebrate the many nuances of both cultures.

As part of the Amami Island chain, Yoron is surrounded by coral reefs. Just 5,000 locals live in this subtropical climate that sees hot summers and mild winters. Another local vibe to the island is that the native language is known as “Yunnu Futuba,” according to the Yoron Island Tourism Association. While it is close to Japanese, it actually contains a larger range of sounds.

Yurigahama Beach

Yoron Island boasts unreal shorelines with over 60 beaches surrounded by turquoise waters. One of the top reasons Yoron sees visitors is because of its beach that famously disappears, Yurigahama Beach, which makes for one of the most #blessed-able Instagram posts ever.

Photo by: ©Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation/©JNTO Catch Yurigahama, the phantom beach, if you can.

Yurigahama Beach is a unique and enticing reason to make the trek out to this remote island in the East China Sea. Its marine life is ripe for scuba diving and Yoron can accommodate any level of scuba diver.

Attractions and events

Of course, this is a beachy paradise, but it has a rich history, too. One attraction is The Southern Cross Center, which is the island’s museum. Learn about the island’s unique star-shaped sand granules, its agriculture, and the general history of the Amami Islands. Plus, check out some traditional costumes from Yoron’s festivals, including its awesome Full Moon Festival.

The Yoron Minzokumura (Folk Village) is a traditional village where you try your hands at traditional crafts. Get creative with a few workshops for fabric making and kusakizome (color dying), and learn about making brown sugar from sugarcane. Please keep in mind that guides and workshops here are currently only in Japanese.

Photo by: takayuki_makiyama Yoron’s beautiful marine life.

The islanders have the Jyu-go-ya (Full Moon Festival) not once but three times a year in March, August, and December where they pray for a good harvest and do traditional dances in the Ryukyu (Okinawan) and Kagoshima styles.

Yet another surprise hidden on this small island is its sumo wrestling matches. Though they are with students from around the islands (not professionals), visitors can watch in October at the culmination of the harvest festival. Last, to celebrate the coral found all over the island, check out the Sango Matsuri (Coral Festival) every August.

5 Famous Foods You'll Find in Kagoshima

What to eat on Yoron Island

All in all, the island offers about 30 places to eat, with different menus on hand. English is limited but the staff is accommodating, and that is part of the adventure anyway! One of the most surprising features of the island is its white-walled Greek Village. It’s less a village and more a building, but it has a great view of the ocean and you can grab some pizza and visit the local cafe here. (Some English is spoken by a few staff.)

Know before you go

Transport on the island is decent, though there are no trains. However, you can get around daily via public bus, taxi, or by renting a car, moped or bicycle, as long as you have the proper driving credentials. You can also rent boats to do various attractions around the beautiful island.

The drawback to this island is that it is going to be expensive to get to unless you are already in southern Japan, but that’s all part of the adventure.

Ishigaki is the most populated and most popular of Okinawa Prefecture’s Yaeyama Islands. Just a three-hour flight from Tokyo, Ishigaki serves as the region’s transportation hub with the New Ishigaki Airport for tourists from mainland Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The island offers sandy white beaches with aquamarine water perfect for snorkeling and diving, lush hiking trails with breathtaking views of the coast, favorable climate, and welcoming seaside culture.

Ishigaki City

Nationally protected yaeyama palm trees at Ishigaki’s Yonehara Native Forest.

Ishigaki City comprises the entire island. Despite the secluded vibe found on some parts of the island, 45,000 people call Ishigaki their home, although most live in the central area known as shigaichi (town area). There are ample restaurants, bars, and hotels in the area to serve the island’s bustling tourist industry.

Near the city center is the Miyara River which is lined with beautiful mangrove trees and is popular among kayakers. However, unguided tours are not permitted. North of the airport is Tamatorizaki Observation Point, a viewing platform with views of the bay and Ishigaki’s rocky peninsula. Nearby Shiraho’s blue coral reef is one of the best snorkeling spots in the world.

Kabira Bay and beaches

Kabira Bay in Ishigaki’s Island National Park of the Yaeyama Islands.

North of the shigaichi area is Kabira Bay, a beautiful sandy white beach with turquoise waters. Although swimming isn’t permitted here (the tides are too fast), you can walk along the coast and admire the craggy islands while eating ice cream. If you can’t ignore the sea’s call, try a glass-bottom boat tour around the bay. You might see groups of manta rays that are known to converge in the bay. Nearby Kabira Park also offers spectacular views from its pavilion.

Discover Okinawa

If you’re feeling adventurous or using Ishigaki as a hub for island hopping, you can take a 10-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi island and visit its preserved Ryukyu village. Remote Iriomote Island, with its mangrove jungles and unique wildlife, is an hour away by boat. Lastly, even further away at the westernmost point of Japan, Yonaguni Island is known for its 8,000-year-old ruins and hammerhead sharks.

If you don’t have the time or money to make it all the way to Okinawa this summer, put your flip flops on and instead head to Shimoda for white sand beaches. This coastal town, located on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, makes a fantastic weekend getaway trip from Tokyo. Here are nine of Shimoda’s best beaches.

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These beaches are surprisingly unknown even among expert tourists. They’re as dazzling as any other top beachcomber spots in Asia, whether you’re looking to go surfing, kayaking or just sunbathing.

While Okinawa is generally considered Japan’s best island paradise getaway, the country has much more to be discovered. Take a journey with us to uncharted waters at these 10 destination beaches. 

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Picture Japan.

Maybe you imagine the amphitheater of neon noise that surrounds Shibuya’s scramble crossing. Or a glistening temple rooftop poking through a serene morning mist in Higashiyama.

Both of these postcard-scapes can be witnessed in Japan’s two most famous cities—Tokyo and Kyoto—located on Honshu, one of the country’s four main islands along with Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

But Honshu only accounts for 88,020 out of the 142,000 square miles that make up Japan. So what about the rest? We’re talking about the thousands of stunning islands that dangle in an emerald chain from the windswept national parks in the north to the tropical Edens in the south; largely uncharted destinations home to some of Japan’s, if not the world’s, most unique travel experiences.

In partnership with Jeenie, a mobile app which provides live translation in Japanese and other languages, we’ve narrowed down five of the most remote yet rewarding islands you can explore in Japan.

About Jeenie

How can I use Jeenie on my trip?

With the help of Jeenie’s global network of multilingual interpreters, available anytime with a video call, you won’t have any problem making the most of your adventure.

Jeenie is a mobile app that lets travelers get instant access to a Japanese speaker and culture expert. Think “Uber” for language and culture assistance. You can download the app and get connected with real, live humans who can assist with the local language and in cultural situations, too.

The Jeenie app connects you to live interpreters on the screen of your smartphone (or iPad) for a Skype-like call in less than 60 seconds. The service is available 24/7 in any time zone.

Using Jeenie in Japan

Traveling in Japan is a challenge language-wise. Though locals are always ready and willing to offer help, it can still be a huge leap to get past language barriers. Yes, this is true even in Tokyo if you want to go to local places. And who doesn’t want to go to the local gems?!

What’s cool about Jeenie is that it is not a translation machine. You can have real-time conversations and video chats, and the “Jeenies” can help you communicate with local people and act as a virtual guide who not only knows the language and but also the cultural do’s and don’ts. Especially in Japan, it can help you easily communicate with people who very likely have never had an experience with a non-Japanese person before.

The kind voices on the other end of the line help you figure out some of the more strict rules of the culture like the protocol for onsen, or figuring out transportation options and ryokan stays, for example. Plus, Jeenie is not just for English speakers. You can choose your native language and the language in which you want to find a concierge.

Get Jeenie

Available on Android and iOS. The first 5 minutes are free so there is no risk to trying the service.

https://www.jeenie.com

Are you multilingual? Want to become a Language Jeenie yourself?

If you are fluent in more than one language, you can become a “Language Jeenie.” You don’t need insurance or special equipment — just a smartphone, a data plan, a professional attitude, and fluent language skills. Work remotely and help customers directly via video chat or audio to navigate through any experience they are having impeded by language barriers.

Jeenie aims to bring global awareness to the value of language and language speakers. Join the global Jeenie community and become part of the network of people who utilize their international language and culture competencies as an income source.

Sign up to be a Language Jeenie here.

This article was sponsored by Jeenie. Note: The five island destinations were chosen by GaijinPot Travel based on editorial standards.

Kyotango is a picturesque seaside area in northwestern Kyoto Prefecture. Located on the Tango Peninsula, its beautiful beaches and easy accessibility from Kyoto and Osaka make it a perfect for a quick getaway from urban life to explore a unique cultural pocket of Kyoto.

The entire city, with an area about 9/10ths the size of the island of Guam, is located inside the San’in Kaigan Geopark, and its geological diversity makes it home to a number of interesting natural features as well as structures. A few highlights include:

Kirifuri Waterfall – A 21-meter-high, 4-meter-wide waterfall that gets its name from the way the water splashes against the rocks to form a misty spray.

Photo by: BEyond Weddings & Events Kirifuri Waterfall is for lovers.

Tate-iwa and Byobu-iwa – These two towering coastal rock formations are located about a half hour walk from each other. The 13-meter-high Byobu-iwa is said to resemble a folding screen, while legend has it that an oni, or demon, is confined beneath the mighty Tate-iwa.

Uchiyama Beech Woods – This picturesque woodland is one of the largest beech woods in the prefecture and home to around 300 different types of trees. Guided tours are available for visitors who want to find out more.

Kyoga Misaki Lighthouse – This lighthouse marks the northernmost point of the Kansai region, and offers stunning views out across the Sea of Japan.

Photo by: Visit Kyotango Kyogamisaki Lighthouse is located on the edge of Tango Peninsula.

Kyotango by season

Kyotango prides itself on being a year-round resort destination, with different activities and sights to enjoy during the different seasons.

Spring/Summer

After the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, the region’s 16 beaches are the perfect summer relief. One of the larger and more famous of these is Kotobikihama Beach. Its name means “koto playing beach” – a koto being a traditional Japanese stringed instrument – which comes from the unique singing noise the sand is said to make when you walk on it. (You can even find videos of it on YouTube.)

Fall/Winter

In the fall, visitors can harvest local fruits and vegetables – including pears, peaches and sweet potatoes – at orchards such as Yasaka Fruit Kingdom, which also allows you to eat as much as you like while you pick! In winter it’s even possible to ski here, at the Swiss Village Ski Resort on 683-meter Mount Taiko, in the north of the region. As with any good resort spot in Japan, Kyotango also has its fair share of onsen (hot springs). Whatever time of year you visit, head to Kumihama in the west to experience the best of the region’s hot springs.

Photo by: Visit Kyotango Some of the freshest sea urchin, or uni, at Kyotango.

Local textiles and cuisine

Kyotango’s most famous local product is Tango chirimen, or silk crepe. Amino is one of the biggest producers of this high quality, flat-woven fabric, which has a characteristic crimped texture. Its soft feel and vibrant colors make it popular for making kimono (traditional Japanese clothing) and other classic Japanese-style accessories such as purses and wrapping cloth. This makes it a great souvenir of your trip. In Amity Tango, it’s possible to see how chirimen is made at the Chirimen Culture Center, and even have a go at dyeing some yourself!

Kyotango is also known for its production of top quality rice, which – as well as being eaten – is used by local brewers to make sake (Japanese rice wine). Kinoshita Brewery in Kumihama offers tours and tastings to visitors interested in sampling the local tipple. Of course, try some of the area’s fresh oysters and sea urchin before delving into the sake.

For swimming and snorkeling in clear waters, Takenohama Beach is a hidden gem with turquoise waves in Hyogo Prefecture.

At peak summer times, the beach along the Takeno coast can get crowded, but the rest of the area is rather desolate. This beach is tucked away a few hours north of Kyoto city or just a train ride along the coast from Tottori Prefecture, which is one of GaijinPot Travel’s Top Destinations of 2019. Travelers who want a taste of the local life flock here to do some camping, beach bumming or just stay at one of the nearby seaside hotels.

Photo by: Hashi photo Gorgeous view of Takenohama Beach.

At the base of the Nekozaki Peninsula, Takenohama is on the list of the nation’s official  “100 Best Beaches.” The peninsula itself juts out into the Sea of Japan and even just walking the path to the beach, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a picturesque scene with mountains and a lighthouse.

In the area, tourists can enjoy geopark sea kayaking known as “Takeno Geo Canoe.”

Photo by: Hashi photo This beach is on the absolute pristine waters of the Sea of Japan.

Those who are visiting the much more well-known area of Kinosaki Onsen might be pleasantly surprised to find this beach nearby. There isn’t much in the area for refreshments, but the beach itself is all you need for a day of natural beauty and the clearest water.

Geopark Sea Kayaking in the San’in Coastal Geopark.

Also along the coast is Takeno Hot Spring, where you can bathe in geothermal waters and catch a relaxing view of the coastline. Enjoy the beach by day and a hot spring bath by night in this area little-known by tourists.

Not visiting this area in summer? There’s plenty to do in other seasons, too!

• Autumn: https://travel.gaijinpot.com/japan-sightseeing-essentials/things-to-do-kinosaki-onsen-autumn/
• Check out the nearby hot spring town: https://travel.gaijinpot.com/kinosaki-onsen

Get ready to ditch the city sprawl and trade it for a seaside vacation on the scenic Cape Irago. Sitting on the tip of Atsumi Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture on the Pacific coast, the area offers surf, sea life tours, camping and scenic ocean pathways with overlooking cliffs.

Beaches

Irago’s beaches offer cerulean seas and white sands. Fancy a dip? According to sea quality tests, the waters are some of the cleanest to swim in. One of the most popular is Coconuts Beach. A part of its quirky-and-cute charm is the beach is usually bedecked with coconut shells in a heart shape thanking and inviting visitors to relax. On the opposite side of the peninsula is Koijigahama Beach, which is actually one of the top 100 beaches in Japan. Nearby Hiino Sekimon sea arch is best appreciated when the sun captures it as dawn breaks.

Photo by: Alpsdake Kojigahama Beach.

Lovers getaway

Stroll along the coastal paths and seek out the Lighthouse of Cape Irago and “Lovers Sanctuary.” Going along with romance superstitions, the sanctuary has a plaque offering blessings to romantics of all ages, a bell to ring together and an area to attach a padlock, symbolizing your lasting love.

For a more active getaway, there are cycling paths to explore and easy-to-find rental outlets, with one based at the Irago Port, and some at the area’s hotels.

Nature gems

The area is packed with things to do for nature lovers, too. Search for the sunameri (finless porpoise), the world’s smallest dolphins. Tours run every Sunday from Irago Port, from April to late August. There’s also the option of camping in the national park resort for those who just can’t get enough of that fresh air and pine forests vibe.

When it comes to dining, try freshly caught local shellfish such as the giant short-necked clam, which you can grill yourself, should you wish.

Finally, find respite at one of the many hotels in the area. At Irago Sea-Park & Spa, rest those weary feet in a tub populated with “doctor fish,” a spa treatment where the creatures manicure and feast on the skin garnered from your travels. That’s ¥800 for 10 minutes. With ample to do, Irago is perfect for a destination or quick jaunt while visiting the Chubu region.