Taketomi-jima · Japan

Kaiji Beach (Star Sand Beach)

Kaiji-hama

Beach photo spotgoogle verified

easy

7/10

best: afternoon

playful, romantic

A local would say...

The 'sand' here is actually tiny star-shaped protozoa skeletons — each grain a perfect five-pointed star under magnification.

On Taketomi-jima's southwest coast, this lovely stretch of beach is famous for its 'star sand' — hoshizuna — which are actually the tiny dried skeletons of marine protozoa shaped like perfect miniature stars. Scoop up a handful and examine them closely: each grain is a miracle of natural geometry. The beach itself is beautiful in the understated Yaeyama way, with gentle water and views across the channel. It's a short bicycle ride from the village, making it the perfect break between cultural wandering and sunset-watching.