Haimurubushi Beach

A resort beach on Kohama Island in the Yaeyama chain, one of the southernmost points of Japan, fronting coral-rich water in shades of turquoise and emerald. The snorkeling is good even in the shallows, with tropical fish visible without going far. At night, minimal light pollution makes this one of the best stargazing spots in the country, and the Southern Cross is visible from December through June. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and glass-bottom boat tours are available. The island reaches by ferry from Ishigaki, and the pace of life here is genuinely slow.