Yonaha Maehama Beach is located at the southwestern tip of Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture and is widely regarded as one of the island’s most beautiful and iconic beaches. A magnificent stretch of white sand and deep blue waters extends for approximately 7 kilometers, creating a spectacular tropical landscape often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Orient.
Yonaha Maehama Beach has repeatedly ranked among Japan’s top beaches in travel and review-site rankings. Across the water, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of Kurima Island, while the Kurima Bridge can be seen extending from the southeastern end of the beach toward the island.
The beach is particularly beautiful at sunset, when the low evening sun illuminates the white sand and surrounding sea with warm colors. The combination of the vast beach, clear tropical water, and open horizon creates an unforgettable coastal landscape.
The beach offers a long swimming season, generally from April through the end of October. During the season, a jellyfish-protection net is installed and lifeguards are stationed in the area to help ensure visitors can enjoy the beach safely.
Seasonal rental services for beach and leisure equipment are also available, making it easy for visitors to enjoy the ocean without bringing all their own equipment.
A resort hotel stands near the center of the beach, while the southeastern section has a range of convenient facilities, including a free parking area, changing rooms, showers, restrooms, shops, and food facilities.
MIPAMA ES SU CASA provides light meals, drinks, barbecue options, and local products. The facility was created through the renovation of the former Windy Maibama facility, which reopened on a trial basis in April 2017 before its official grand opening on April 28 of the same year.
To improve safety during the swimming season, jellyfish-prevention nets and lifeguard services are provided. A licensing system for beach leisure operators was introduced under local regulations in 2019, requiring participating businesses to meet safety conditions such as providing qualified lifeguards.
These measures help visitors enjoy the beautiful waters of Yonaha Maehama while reducing the risks associated with swimming and marine activities.
Every April, Yonaha Maehama Beach becomes the start and finish area of the All-Japan Miyakojima Strongman Triathlon, one of the island’s major sporting events.
The beach is also the venue for Miyako Island’s annual Sea Opening ceremony, marking the beginning of the island’s beach season. These events bring large numbers of visitors and create a lively atmosphere along the normally tranquil coastline.
Yonaha Maehama is located at the southwestern end of Miyako Island and forms a sandy coastline approximately 7 kilometers long. Locally, the beach was traditionally known simply as Maipama or Maibama, although the name “Maehama Beach” has become increasingly common.
In the local Hirara dialect, “mai” can mean not only “front” but also “south.” The name is believed to reflect the beach’s location in front of and to the south of the Yonaha area.
In recent years, coastal erosion has become a concern at Yonaha Maehama. The problem became particularly noticeable following the impact of Typhoons No. 24 and No. 25 in 2018, after which some areas experienced rapid erosion.
In certain locations, the beach has lost several dozen meters of width and erosion has reached depths of approximately 3 meters. Protecting the beach’s distinctive white sands is therefore an important environmental challenge for the future.
Yonaha Maehama has consistently received high rankings in Japanese beach surveys. In Tripadvisor’s 2019 “Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan”, it was ranked first. It also ranked second in 2017 and 2018 and third in 2016.
From 2013 through 2015, the beach was ranked first for three consecutive years. It also took first place in Tripadvisor’s “20 Best Beaches in Japan” rankings in both 2010 and 2011.
Okinawa Prefecture conducts water-quality surveys before and during the swimming season at beaches that attract approximately 10,000 or more visitors annually. In the 2016 in-season survey, Yonaha Maehama Beach was classified as Water Quality A, indicating suitable water quality for recreational use.
Yonaha Maehama Beach is one of the defining landscapes of Miyako Island, combining brilliant white sand, clear blue water, a vast open horizon, and spectacular sunset views.
Whether you want to swim, relax on the sand, enjoy water activities, watch the sunset, or simply take in the magnificent tropical scenery, this expansive beach offers an ideal introduction to the natural beauty of Miyako Island.
With its beautiful views toward Kurima Island, convenient facilities, long swimming season, and reputation as one of Japan’s finest beaches, Yonaha Maehama is a destination not to be missed when exploring Miyako Island.
Free of charge
About 7 km from Miyako Airport, about 15 minutes by car