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How to Get to and Enjoy Ohama Beach on Ishigaki Island! Our Ishigaki Island-based staff will give you a comprehensive guide!
Hello everyone!
Have you heard of Ohama Beach on Ishigaki Island?
Ohama Beach is located in the Ohama area of Ishigaki Island. Because it is close to the village, it is a beach beloved by locals who frequently visit it. It is a 2-kilometer-long beach featuring a walking path along the coast in the eastern section and, in the western section, a statue of Oyake Akahachi and Sakihara Park, which is filled with blooming flowers.
Located halfway between the airport and the remote islands terminal, it’s often overlooked by tourists, but with its rich natural environment and diverse flora and fauna, it’s the perfect beach for simply gazing out at the ocean or enjoying activities like clam digging.
In this article, we’ll introduce Ohama Beach on Ishigaki Island.
Table of Contents
About Ohama Beach
Ohama Beach is located in the Ohama district of Ishigaki Island. There are numerous access points; not only can you reach the beach by passing through residential areas and an elementary school, but you can also access it directly from the beach parking lot along National Route 390. While the water is generally shallow and the waves are calm, it is not officially designated as a swimming beach. Due to the rugged, protruding rocks and the presence of coral right up to the water’s edge, it is also unsuitable for snorkeling. Since Ohama Beach is located east of the city center, it serves as a popular sunrise spot. Some locals even use it for early-morning jogs. It’s the perfect spot to start your day feeling refreshed as you bask in the morning sun.
It’s also a hidden gem known only to those in the know, where you can observe not only the sunrise but also rare flora and fauna, such as flowers blooming on the beach and waterfowl. In the summer, the trumpet lily—commonly seen in southern Japan—blooms, and from fall through winter, plants like the striped daisy also bloom. You can also spot the Black-breasted Sandpiper—so named because its chest and belly turn black during the summer—on the mudflats at low tide. While the Black-breasted Sandpiper is rarely seen on the Japanese mainland, it can occasionally be spotted at Ohama Beach. You may also encounter the Crying Okinawa Hermit Crab, a National Natural Monument.
Ohama Beach is known for the monuments and several sacred sites located along its shores. Locals often visit the beach to enjoy the scenery or go for a walk. It’s also quietly recognized as the site associated with a hero of Ishigaki Island, making it a spiritual spot where you can feel the weight of history. It’s only about a 20- to 25-minute walk from the ANA InterContinental Hotel, so it’s the perfect spot for a morning stroll, don’t you think?
How to Get to Ohama Beach
Access by car
From New Ishigaki Airport, head south along Route 390. When you see the Ohama Community Center on your left, turn left. Continue straight with Hinokami Utaki on your left until you see Sakihara Park; park there, and it’s a 1-minute walk.
Access by bus
From the Ishigaki Bus Terminal, take the Higashi Unyu Bus on the Airport Line (via JAL Yaeyama ANA InterContinental) and get off at the Ohama bus stop. Head south on the city road and turn left at the fourth block. Continue straight until you reach the end of the road to arrive at Sakihara Park. It’s a 1-minute walk from Sakihara Park.
Detailed Information on Ohama Beach
Ohama Beach is located in the Ohama district of Ishigaki Island. It isn’t frequented by many tourists but is a favorite among locals. While the water is generally shallow and the waves are calm, it is not officially designated as a swimming beach. Because of the rugged, protruding rocks and the shallow waters, grass and seaweed grow thickly during the summer, making the beach a lush, verdant green. Among the rocks are so-called “strange rocks” that appear to consist of multiple layers stacked on top of one another. The overlapping sections reveal undulating layers resembling waves, and within them, you can spot indentations that look like footprints.
This indentation is said to be the footprint of Oyake Akahachi, a figure who, during the Ryukyu Dynasty, led a rebellion against the Ryukyu government in an effort to secure freedom for the islanders and free them from the hardships caused by the heavy taxes imposed by the dynasty. A stone monument dedicated to Oyake Akahachi stands near Sakihara Park, where his achievements are inscribed.
Since Ohama Beach is located east of the city center, it’s a popular spot for watching the sunrise. Some locals even use it for early-morning jogs. It’s about a 20- to 25-minute walk from the ANA InterContinental Hotel, making it the perfect spot for a morning stroll. It’s the perfect spot to start your day feeling refreshed as you bask in the morning sun. It’s also an excellent spot not only for sunrise but for night views as well. The endless coastline runs right past residential homes, but once you head down to the beach, you can walk until you reach an area free of the lights from those homes.
In the summer, the Milky Way is so clear that you can see it distinctly. In the winter, the air is even clearer and cleaner, so you can see distant stars. From Ohama Beach, the Southern Cross is particularly visible from February through April. Signs along the coast provide detailed information on viewing times and seasons, so you can enjoy the starry sky alongside the ocean at Ohama. It’s also a hidden gem where you can spot rare species of flora and fauna, such as flowers blooming on the beach and waterfowl. In the summer, trumpet lilies bloom, and from fall through winter, species such as the striped golden daisy can be seen in bloom. Additionally, in the summer, you can see black-breasted gulls playing on the mudflats. You may also spot the Nakio hermit crab, a National Natural Monument.
The surrounding area is home to several sacred sites, including Sakihara Park—which is often used as a parking lot for visitors strolling along Ohama Beach—and the Fire God Utaki.
In Sakihara Park, there is a large rock known as the “Tsunami Rock.” On October 17, 2013, when the tsunami rocks scattered along the east coast of Ishigaki Island were designated as a National Natural Monument under the name “Group of Tsunami Rocks on the East Coast of Ishigaki Island,” this rock was also designated as a National Natural Monument. Measuring 12.8 meters in length and 5.9 meters in height, it is a massive block of coral limestone with an estimated weight of 700 to 1,000 metric tons. Carbon analysis of the coral attached to its surface revealed that it was likely washed ashore by the Sakishima Tsunami, which occurred approximately 2,000 years ago.
Ishigaki Island is an area that has suffered tsunami damage many times, and the east coast in particular is home to many stones that symbolize this. The “Tsunami Boulders” are the prime example of this, serving as a reminder to future generations of the tragedy of tsunamis. They are located on the north side of Sakihara Park, so if you’re interested, please be sure to visit. As a side note, it is said that during World War II, some people even lived beneath this rock.
In addition, the stone monument honoring Oyake Akahachi—which I mentioned earlier—and the stone monument honoring his wife are placed side by side nearby. They were installed here because the Ohama district served as Oyake Akahachi’s base of operations. It’s also a “power spot” that really lets you feel the weight of history.
About 1 km to the north, there is also a site called the Furustohara Ruins, believed to be the castle where Oyake Akahachi once resided, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out as well.
Things to Do at Ohama Beach
A long coastline stretching over 2 km is lined with a promenade where visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll. The coast is home to rare flowers rarely seen in Japan, such as the Teppou lily and the Shima kogane chrysanthemum, and visitors can also spot animals like the Munaguro and the Naki-oka hermit crab. Among the coastal rocks, you can find what are known as “strange rocks”—formations that appear to consist of layers of rock piled one on top of another—on which indentations resembling footprints have been discovered; these are believed to be the footprints of the Oyake Akahachi.
In the early morning, it’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunrise, enjoyed by locals who come here to jog and exercise. At night, the Milky Way is clearly visible in the summer, and from February through April—in early spring—the Southern Cross shines brightly, making it a place where people can find peace and relaxation amid the stunning night views.
The Tsunami Rock in nearby Sakihara Park has been designated a National Natural Monument as part of the “Tsunami Rock Group on the East Coast of Ishigaki Island,” serving as a site that conveys the horror of tsunami damage to future generations. A short distance north of Sakihara Park, stone monuments honoring Oyake Akahachi and his wife stand side by side, offering a glimpse into the achievements of this island’s great figure.
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Address: Ishizaki, Kabira, Ishigaki City
Directions: 15 minutes by car from the Remote Islands Terminal
Hours of operation: None. Free to visit
Closed: Open all year round
Admission: Free
Parking: Located at Sakihara Park
Restrooms: Located in Sakihara Park
Restaurant: None
summary
We’ve introduced you to Ohama Beach. What did you think?
Here are some of the highlights of Ohama Beach:
・A long coastline stretching for 2 km
・You can see rare plants and animals that are seldom seen in Japan.
・Beautiful sunset spots
・A spot where you can see the Southern Cross clearly and enjoy a beautiful night view
・A walking path where you can take a leisurely stroll
・A spot believed to be where Oyake Akahachi left his footprints
・A stone monument honoring Oyake Akahachi’s achievements and a stone monument dedicated to Oyake Akahachi’s wife
・The Tsunami Boulder at Sakihara Park
Be sure to check out the information above and pay a visit to Ohama Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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