At the north end of the island, on the west coast, you will find this long strip of sand with a bit of offshore reef. As the name implies, this is one of the island's best spots to watch the sun set into the East China Sea. Shower and toilet facilities are also located here.
Sunset Beach
Top choice in Yaeyama Islands
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Kabira Bay
11.55 MILES
Kabira-wan is a sheltered bay with white-sand shores and a couple of interesting clumplike islets offshore. Swimming is not allowed in the bay, as pearls…
Kaiji-hama
21.44 MILES
This lovely stretch of beach is on the southwest coast, also happens to be the main hoshi-suna (star sand) hunting ground. If you don't arrive bearing…
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center
28.8 MILES
If you are at all intrigued by the yamaneko (Iriomote's endemic wildcat), whose critically endangered population hovers around 100, it's worth stopping by…
Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum
17.56 MILES
This modest museum has exhibits on the culture and history of the island, which are quite well presented with English explanations. Notable among the more…
Fusaki Beach Aqua Garden
16.88 MILES
Nonguests of the adjacent resort can pay to enter this massive 'aqua garden' complex with a beachfront pool, bar-restaurant, yoga lessons and a huge range…
Yonehara Beach
9.97 MILES
On the north coast along Rte 79, Yonehara Beach is a decent sand beach with a good bit of reef offshore. Hire snorkel gear (¥1000) at any of the shops…
Kondoi Beach
21.13 MILES
Kondoi Beach, on the west coast, offers the best swimming on the island. At the entrance to the beach you'll find bike parking, picnic tables and toilets.
Nagomi-no-tō
20.54 MILES
Roughly in the centre of the village, this modest lookout tower has good views over the red-tiled roofs of the pancake-flat island.
Nearby Yaeyama Islands attractions
1. Yonehara Beach
9.97 MILES
On the north coast along Rte 79, Yonehara Beach is a decent sand beach with a good bit of reef offshore. Hire snorkel gear (¥1000) at any of the shops…
2. Kabira Bay
11.55 MILES
Kabira-wan is a sheltered bay with white-sand shores and a couple of interesting clumplike islets offshore. Swimming is not allowed in the bay, as pearls…
3. Fusaki Beach Aqua Garden
16.88 MILES
Nonguests of the adjacent resort can pay to enter this massive 'aqua garden' complex with a beachfront pool, bar-restaurant, yoga lessons and a huge range…
4. Tōrin-ji
17.33 MILES
Founded in 1614, the Zen temple of Tōrin-ji, near the intersection of Shimin-kaikan-dōri and Rte 79, is home to the 18th-century guardian statues of Deva…
5. Gongen-dō
17.34 MILES
Adjacent to the temple Tōrin-ji is Gongen-dō, a small shrine rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1771.
6. Miyara Dōnchi
17.39 MILES
The unique home of a Ryūkyū kingdom official dates from 1819; walk north along Sanbashi-dōri until you see signs in English. The house is still an actual…
7. Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum
17.56 MILES
This modest museum has exhibits on the culture and history of the island, which are quite well presented with English explanations. Notable among the more…
8. Taketomi Mingei-kan
20.49 MILES
This is the workshop where the island's woven minsā belts and other textiles are produced.