Yonehara beach
Yonehara is a wild beach in Kabira bay in the east of Ishigaki Island that attracts tourists with its solitude, beautiful landscapes and great opportunities for snorkeling. Just don't forget to bring your own equipment, as there are no rental stores or infrastructure as a whole here. You can get to the bay from the center of Yonehara town by bus in about 40 minutes.
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Beach description
The large coral reef creates a natural barrier between shallow lagoon and deep water. It guarantees calm water with great visibility and the opportunity to watch fish just a few meters away from the shore. But fast currents are possible here, and even though they aren't dangerous, it's advised not to venture too far into the water.
You also need to note that the sea bottom is covered in stones, with some patches even rocky, and coral shards can be found on the shore. So wearing slippers is very highly advised. Despite all that, as well as poisonous jellyfish and no rescue station, Yonehara Beach is the most popular place on the beach, beloved by snorkeling enthusiasts. It can get relatively crowded during high season.
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.