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Sawada no Hama Beach
佐和田の浜Okinawa
A shallow, gently sloping beach spanning from northwest Irabu Island to northeast Shimoji Island, scattered with large boulders that were carried ashore by the 1771 Great Yaeyama Tsunami — a striking, unusual coastal landscape. Selected as one of Japan's "100 Best Beaches" in 1996; famous as a sunset-viewing spot. Typhoon season runs roughly June to October, and a passing storm can cancel ferries, flights and all marine activity across the islands at a day's notice — check the forecast before you rely on this stop.
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Rating
- 4.3· 568 reviews
- Opening hours
- Daily Open 24 hours
- Admission
- Free — a public beach with free parking, toilets and showers. No admission charge.
- Nearest station
- Access via Irabu Ohashi Bridge by car from Miyako Island (Hirara), ~30 min from Miyako Airport; free parking (~10 spaces); also Kyowa Bus to Sawada-shako terminus + ~10 min walk
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Today
Open 24 hoursFreeStored weekly hours
Daily Open 24 hours
How to get there
NOTE: Sarahama Port ferry route discontinued Jan 2015 when the bridge opened, no longer a real access route
Tags
beachsunsetgeology
Location
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