A beach where you can enjoy the blue sea, and sky, and search for star sand
Taketomi Island is a popular tourist destination in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa. It is only a 10-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Island, the base of the trip, and can be visited on a day trip. The entire island retains the good old Okinawan scenery, and just walking along the sandy road on the main road gives you a nostalgic feeling. Kaiji Beach is located on the west side of Taketomi Island. The beach is located a little south of Kondoi Beach, a popular spot. Although the tide is fast and swimming is not allowed, it is a favorite spot where you can look for star sands while watching the blue sea, and I always visit there when I visit Taketomi Island.
Point 1: “Taketomi Blue” stretches endlessly before your eyes.
Taketomi Island is a small island, so most people rent bicycles in the center of the island to get around the island. There are two ways to get to Kaiji Beach: by walking along the shoreline from Kondoi Beach or by bicycle through Kaijimichi. The entrance to the beach from the bicycle parking area is a little overgrown, and the “Taketomi blue” that spreads out beyond it will make your heart pound. When you go out to the beach through the bushes and trees, you will see the white sandy beach and the beautiful ocean. This is the essence of a tropical country! You will surely be able to see such a magnificent view.
Point 2: Star sand is popular as a souvenir
At Kaiji Beach, you can find star-shaped sand. It depends on the tide conditions at the time, but at times when there is a lot of star-shaped sand, the whole area around your feet can be covered with it. Star sand is not officially sand, but the shell of a protozoa called foraminifera. It is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the western Pacific Ocean, and Okinawa is a typical star sand spot in Japan. Some beautiful star-shaped ones have fallen, so you will be happy if you can find them. There is also a signboard at Kaijihama that says “Star Sand Beach,” so be sure to take a picture of it.
Point 3: “Bazing around while looking at the sea” can be realized!
Walking along the shoreline in the direction of Kondoi Beach while looking at the beautiful ocean of Kaijihama, you will reach an area with large driftwood and rocks. The driftwood and rocks are perfect for sitting and relaxing while feeling the Okinawan sea, sky, and wind. Most visitors to Kaijihama spend most of their time in the front part of the beach where star sand is collected, so when I visited, the area in the back was a good spot. This is a recommended place where you can forget your busy daily life and refresh your mind and body.
