Hoshizuna Beach, or “Star Sand Beach,” is a beautiful coastal destination on Iriomote Island where visitors can search for tiny grains of sand with mysterious star- and sun-like shapes.
These distinctive grains, known as “star sand,” are actually the shells left behind by microscopic marine organisms called foraminifera. Their delicate geometric shapes make them one of the most fascinating natural treasures found along the beaches of Okinawa.
Star sand can be found at several beaches in Okinawa, including Hoshizuna Beach on Iriomote Island and Kaiji Beach on nearby Taketomi Island. Although the amount of star sand has decreased over the years due to excessive collection, Hoshizuna Beach still has many of these remarkable grains scattered along its shore.
Searching the sand for tiny star-shaped shells has become one of the beach’s most enjoyable experiences. Rather than simply relaxing on the shore, visitors can turn their time at Hoshizuna Beach into a small treasure hunt, looking closely at the sand for the distinctive shapes created by nature.
Hoshizuna Beach offers much more than star sand. The beach is surrounded by the beautiful natural environment of Iriomote Island, with its clear blue sea and abundant coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the underwater world as well as searching for star sand along the shore.
When you enter the water, the coral-rich sea reveals a spectacular underwater landscape. The clear waters provide an excellent opportunity to appreciate the tropical marine environment that makes Iriomote Island such a popular destination for nature lovers.
The sea around Hoshizuna Beach is generally calm, making it a pleasant place for families to spend time together. Children can enjoy searching for star sand on the beach while adults relax and take in the surrounding scenery.
With its combination of soft sand, clear water, blue skies, and lush subtropical nature, Hoshizuna Beach offers an easy and memorable way to experience the natural beauty of Iriomote Island.
Take your time searching for the tiny geometric grains of star sand, then enjoy the brilliant blue sea stretching toward the horizon. Hoshizuna Beach is a place where a simple walk along the shore can become a fascinating encounter with the natural world.
For travelers exploring Iriomote Island, this beautiful beach offers both the excitement of a small treasure hunt and the chance to relax amid one of Okinawa’s most spectacular subtropical landscapes.
50 minutes drive from Ohara Port, 5 minutes drive from Uehara Port