Ida no Hama beach
Ida no Hama is a relatively unknown quiet and solitary beach located in the outskirts of Funauki on the southwest edge of Iriomote Island. You can only get here via water, more specifically the ferry that makes 4-5 tours from Shirahama to the village daily. Due to its isolation from the outside world and rare visitors the coast retained the untouched nature and attractiveness of its landscapes.
Photos
Beach description
This beach is often called the last unexplored piece of Japan and the most beautiful place on Iriomote. The long and spacious coast of Ida no Hama is covered in white sand with pebbles and shells mixed in and surrounded by hills covered in thick greenery. The bay is protected from the high winds, and the rare waves are low.
The descent is smooth, and there's a shallow area near the coast so it's safe to bring children here. The crystal clear and transparent waters make this beach perfect for underwater swimming. Corals might not be attractive, but you can watch turtles in the shallow water.
When is the best time to go?
If in the north of Japan, in Hokkaido, the weather in January-February is quite wintery, in the southern islands the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees even in the cold season. In summer, the rainy season comes in Japan, when the humidity becomes almost one hundred percent, and the thermometer is at 30 to 40 degrees. Therefore, the best time to travel to Japan – is late spring or early autumn.