Yonaha Maehama Beach

Yonaha Maehama Beach, located in Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture, is one of Miyakojima’s most beautiful and iconic beaches, featuring dazzling white sand and crystal-clear emerald-green waters. Situated in the southwestern part of Miyakojima, the beach stretches for approximately seven kilometers. Its landscape of white sand and vivid “Miyako Blue” waters is sometimes described as “the most beautiful beach in the Orient.” Lush Kurima Island lies offshore, and visitors can enjoy spectacular views where Kurima Bridge harmonizes with the surrounding blue sea. Swimming, marine sports, walks along the shore, and sunset viewing are just some of the many ways to enjoy this highly popular tourist attraction on Miyakojima.

Yonaha Maehama Beach is also known locally as Maipama Beach. “Maipama” is a familiar local name for “Maehama,” meaning “front beach” in the regional language of Miyakojima. The crescent-shaped beach stretches along the southwestern coast of Miyakojima and is known for its fine, soft white sand, which feels pleasant beneath bare feet. The expansive shoreline creates a wonderful sense of openness, and even a simple walk along the water’s edge allows visitors to enjoy the tropical natural environment. Resort hotels and other facilities are located nearby, making the beach a popular place to spend peaceful, leisurely time unique to Miyakojima.

The greatest attraction of Yonaha Maehama Beach is the beautiful palette created by its white sand and crystal-clear sea. The waters around Miyakojima are known as “Miyako Blue” because of their vivid blue color. In the shallow areas, the sea appears bright emerald green, while farther offshore it changes to a deep cobalt blue, creating a beautiful natural gradient across the surface. This coloring is produced by the combination of highly transparent seawater, white sandy seabeds, and the reflection of sunlight. On sunny days, the colors are particularly striking, and the view of the blue sky harmonizing with the white sand resembles a tropical painting.

The beach’s approximately seven-kilometer stretch of sand is one of its defining features. The shoreline forms a gentle curve, creating an open landscape in which white sand seems to continue as far as the eye can see. The sand is exceptionally fine, making the entire beach appear brightly illuminated. The width and shape of the beach change with the tides, and broad expanses of sand may emerge at low tide. Visitors can spend peaceful time in nature by gazing out at the sea while walking along the water’s edge or sitting on the sand and listening to the sound of the waves. The beach is also ideal for photography, and commemorative photos taken against the backdrop of white sand and blue sea become lasting memories of a trip to Miyakojima.

Kurima Island, which lies offshore directly in front of the beach, is another important element of Yonaha Maehama Beach’s beautiful scenery. Kurima Island is a small island located southwest of Miyakojima and is connected to Miyakojima by the 1,690-meter-long Kurima Bridge. From the beach, visitors can see lush Kurima Island across the blue sea, along with Kurima Bridge stretching across the water. The combined view of white sand, transparent sea, a green island, and a long bridge is a spectacular scene unique to Miyakojima. On clear days in particular, the vivid colors of the sea around the bridge stand out and captivate visitors.

Yonaha Maehama Beach is also popular as a place for swimming. The waters are relatively shallow, and on calm days visitors can enjoy swimming in the clear sea. However, currents may be present even in areas that appear calm, and some sections do not have lifeguards or jellyfish-protection nets. When swimming, it is important to check local safety information and enjoy the water within your limits. Sea conditions can change depending on the weather, wind direction, and tides, and waves or currents may become stronger. In addition, lifeguard services and available facilities may vary depending on the season, so checking in advance is recommended.

In addition to swimming, Yonaha Maehama Beach offers a variety of marine sports. At the beach and in the surrounding area, visitors can enjoy activities such as banana boat rides and jet skiing. Experience programs such as parasailing are also available on Miyakojima, allowing visitors to enjoy the sea from various perspectives. Banana boat rides offer the thrill of gliding across the water, while parasailing provides aerial views of Miyakojima’s coastline and surrounding scenery. The types of marine sports, operating locations, and meeting points vary by provider, and activities may be canceled depending on weather and sea conditions. For safety, participants should follow local rules and the instructions of reputable operators.

Yonaha Maehama Beach is also known as a venue for sporting events. One of the best known is the All-Japan Miyakojima Triathlon. This event combines swimming, cycling, and running, and Yonaha Maehama Beach has traditionally been used as the starting point for the swimming portion. The beach also served as a venue for the 40th edition of the event, held in April 2026, when many athletes competed against the backdrop of Miyako Blue waters. The sight of competitors taking on the course against the backdrop of the beautiful sea is one of the scenes that symbolizes spring on Miyakojima. Traffic restrictions and limitations on the use of nearby facilities may be imposed during the event, so visitors should check the event schedule when planning a sightseeing trip.

Another attraction of Yonaha Maehama Beach is that it displays different expressions depending on the time of day. In the morning, the beach is relatively quiet, allowing visitors to enjoy a walk while listening to the gentle sound of the waves. Around midday, when the sun is high, the contrast between the blue sea and white sand becomes even more vivid, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of Miyako Blue. In the afternoon, the changing position of the sun alters the sparkle and colors of the water, creating scenery different from that of the daytime. The appearance of the sea also changes with the season and weather, so visitors can discover new charms each time they return.

At dusk, visitors can enjoy a fantastical landscape unlike the vivid blue sea seen during the day. Depending on the season and viewing location, sunsets can be seen over the sea or in the direction of Kurima Island from Yonaha Maehama Beach. As the sun descends, the sky changes to shades of orange and red, while soft light reflects across the surface of the water. The sky and sea bathed in sunset colors, together with the silhouette of Kurima Island, create a magical beauty distinct from the daytime scenery. The silhouette of Kurima Bridge blending into the evening landscape is also captivating, making the beach popular with couples and photography enthusiasts. Since the colors of the sky change from moment to moment around sunset, arriving with plenty of time to spare allows visitors to enjoy an even more impressive view.

Resort hotels, restaurants, and other facilities are located around the beach, allowing visitors to relax while gazing out at the sea. Parking areas, restrooms, showers, and shops are also available, and depending on the location and season, visitors may be able to rent parasols, beach chairs, and other items. Guests can enjoy a relaxing experience by reading in the shade or taking a break while listening to the waves, rather than spending all their time on active pursuits. However, facility conditions and opening hours vary, so checking in advance is recommended. Miyakojima receives strong sunlight, and temperatures can become particularly high in summer. Visitors should prepare hats, sunscreen, drinking water, and other essentials, and take care to avoid heatstroke.

When visiting Yonaha Maehama Beach, it is also recommended to extend your trip to nearby Kurima Island. After crossing Kurima Bridge, visitors can enjoy the island’s beautiful natural surroundings and peaceful rural scenery, surrounded by the Miyako Blue sea. The island is dotted with observation points, cafés, and other attractions, offering views of the sea from a different perspective than those on Miyakojima. In particular, the Ryugujo Observation Deck, located on elevated ground, provides sweeping views of Kurima Bridge, Yonaha Maehama Beach, and Miyakojima’s coastline, including the long stretch of white sand. Combining a visit to the beach with a stroll around Kurima Island allows visitors to experience the attractions of southwestern Miyakojima more deeply.

Yonaha Maehama Beach is approximately a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport and about a 20-minute drive from central Miyakojima City. Rental cars and taxis are convenient options, and parking areas are available nearby. Visitors focusing on walks along the shore and photography should allow about one hour, while those planning to swim or enjoy marine sports should set aside at least half a day. Since the conditions and availability of facilities and services around the beach vary by season, checking the latest information before visiting is recommended. To help protect the beautiful natural environment, visitors should take their garbage home and avoid harming the sand or marine life.

Yonaha Maehama Beach is one of Miyakojima’s most iconic scenic spots, featuring approximately seven kilometers of dazzling white sand and crystal-clear Miyako Blue waters. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of experiences, including views of Kurima Island and Kurima Bridge offshore, swimming and marine sports, the beach’s role as a venue for the Miyakojima Triathlon, and beautiful sunsets. Even a simple walk along the sand allows visitors to appreciate the richness of the tropical natural environment, making the beach ideal for family trips, couples, solo travelers, and many other styles of travel. It is one of Okinawa’s most beautiful beaches and a place that should not be missed when visiting Miyakojima.