Yonaha-Maehama

Overview

Yonaha Maehama is a white sandy beach stretching about seven kilometers along the southwestern tip of Miyako Island in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture. Locals simply call it Maehama, or Maipama in the Miyako dialect. With its clear waters and dazzling white sand, it is regarded as one of Japan's most beautiful beaches. Kurima Island floats just offshore, and the open view of blue sea and bridge is one of its greatest charms.

Highlights

• ●About seven kilometers of pure white sand and highly transparent water
• ●The view of Kurima Island and the Kurima Ohashi Bridge beyond the beach
• ●Calm, shallow waters well suited to swimming and marine activities
• ●The local name Maipama, reflecting the culture of the Miyako language

History

In the Miyako language, mai means both front and south, so the beach is said to have been called Maipama because it lies in front of and to the south of the island's Yonaha district. The southeastern end of the beach is linked to Kurima Island by the Kurima Ohashi Bridge; before the bridge was built, Maehama Port, slightly to the northwest, served as the arrival and departure point for boats. In recent years the English loanword has been added, and it is often called Maehama Beach. Highly rated by travelers, it has repeatedly been introduced as one of Japan's finest beaches.

Map

24.7361, 125.2611 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Arrive at Maehama in the morning and enjoy swimming or a leisurely stroll on the white sand
2. 2Try marine activities around midday and take in the view toward Kurima Island
3. 3Cross the Kurima Ohashi Bridge to Kurima Island and look back over Maehama from a hilltop
4. 4In the evening, watch the sun set over the East China Sea from the shore to close the day

Did you know?

💡 In recent years, erosion of the beach has been noted, and typhoons in 2018 in particular scoured away sand over a wide area, creating cliff-like drops that raised concerns about the impact on tourism. Behind its beautiful scenery, this beach also faces the challenge of coexisting with nature.

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