- A Quiet Beach with a Front-On View of Irabu Bridge
- Oyadomari Beach Is a Known-to-Those-Who-Know Hidden Gem
- The Front-On View of Irabu Bridge Is One of a Kind
- Turtle Rock (Kameiwa) Is a Sculptural Beauty Created by Nature
- A Quiet, Calm Beach That Soothes You
- How to Spend Your Time at Oyadomari Beach
- Things to Note When Going to Oyadomari Beach
- Recommended Times to Visit
- Visit It Together with Nearby Sights
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Precisely Because It's a Known-to-Those-Who-Know Place, I Want to Protect It
A Quiet Beach with a Front-On View of Irabu Bridge
The first time I went to Oyadomari Beach was at 11 am, thinking "I heard there's a beach where you can see Irabu Bridge front-on, so let's go," and I drove off. I crossed the Irabu Bridge, turned right, and drove the coastal road, but there were no signs and I grew anxious about "is there really a beach around here?"
But as I kept going, the sea came into view on the left, and finding what looked like a parking space, I stopped the car. There wasn't a single other car, and getting out, a beach spread out before me, with the Irabu Bridge extending straight ahead. It was incredibly beautiful and I thought "wow, amazing," and looking left there was a big rock shaped like a turtle. The moment I thought "so this is Turtle Rock," I was enveloped in a space where no one was around and only the sound of the waves could be heard.
The spectacle of Irabu Bridge front-on, the curious shape of Turtle Rock, the stillness — if you're planning to go to Irabu Island, you absolutely should stop by Oyadomari Beach. The view of Irabu Bridge front-on is the greatest luxury you can only experience here.
Oyadomari Beach Is a Known-to-Those-Who-Know Hidden Gem
Oyadomari Beach is a quiet beach in the Ikemasoe area of Irabu Island, a hidden gem beloved by the locals.
The Reading Is "Oyadomari" or "Uyadomari"
Oyadomari Beach is read "Oyadomari-no-Hama" or "Uyadomari-no-Hama," and both are used. The reading differs by local, but both are correct, so call it whichever you like.
Look at tourist guidebooks and websites and both notations are mixed, which may be confusing at first, but they refer to the same beach.
Location and Access
Address: Irabu (Ikemasoe area), Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Access: about 7 minutes by car from the Irabu Bridge, about 20 minutes from Miyako Airport
Cross the Irabu Bridge, and once you finish crossing, turn right. Drive the coastal road for about 7 minutes and the sea comes into view on the left. There's what looks like a parking space, so park there.
It's about 20 minutes from Miyako Airport, or about 15 minutes from Shimojishima Airport, so access isn't bad. However, there are no road signs or guidance boards, so first-timers may get a little lost.
Hard to Find Because There Are No Signs
This beach has no signs, and although the beach is visible from the road, there are no guidance boards or signs at all. Wondering "is this the beach?", you find what looks like a parking space and stop.
Famous beaches have big signs and a proper car park, but Oyadomari Beach has none of that. That's exactly why there are few tourists, making it a hidden gem where you can spend quiet time.
The first time I went too, I grew anxious about whether this was really the right place and went back and forth many times. But if there's a parking space and you can see the sea from it, that's Oyadomari Beach, so you'll be fine.
The Front-On View of Irabu Bridge Is One of a Kind
Oyadomari Beach's greatest appeal is being able to view the Irabu Bridge front-on, and there's nowhere else you can see the bridge from this angle.
The Irabu Bridge Extends Straight Across the Sea
From Oyadomari Beach you can see the Irabu Bridge across the sea, and the figure of the 3,540-metre bridge extending straight ahead is stunning. While crossing the bridge you're on top of it so you can't see the whole thing, but from Oyadomari Beach you can see the bridge's whole form clearly.
The sight of the bridge extending straight over the sea is like a single painting where man-made beauty and natural beauty harmonise, and you could gaze at it for hours. The first time I saw it too, I was lost for words at its beauty and gazed blankly for a while.
A Clear Shallow Sea Spreads in the Foreground
In the foreground a clear shallow sea spreads out, and the emerald-green sea has high clarity, visible to the seabed. With the bridge beyond it, it makes scenery where nature and man-made beauty harmonise.
Being shallow, the waves are calm too, and the sea's surface sometimes mirrors the bridge. On windless days especially it's beautiful, and the bridge reflected in the sea is part of one photo too.
I took photos many times, and it makes a picture from any angle. Even if you're not a professional photographer, it's a place where just shooting on your phone gets a wonderful photo.
The Ever-Changing Expression Never Gets Old
The scenery changes with the tide, the time of day and the movement of the clouds, so the same place shows a different expression. In the morning the bridge is clearly visible in bright light, and in the afternoon it has a gentle atmosphere in soft light. In the evening you can see the bridge dyed by the sunset — it shows completely different faces by time of day.
I've visited at morning, midday and evening, and every time was wonderful. The evening especially was fantastical, with the sky dyed red and the bridge silhouette looming up.
The scenery changes with the tide too — at low tide the shallows spread out and become walkable, and at high tide the sea level rises and the distance to the bridge feels closer. It's a place that never gets old no matter how often you visit.
Turtle Rock (Kameiwa) Is a Sculptural Beauty Created by Nature
Right beside Oyadomari Beach is Turtle Rock (Kameiwa), a sculpture-like presence that nature created over a long time.
A Turtle-Shaped Rock Walking Towards the Sea
True to its name, it's a turtle-shaped rock that looks just like a giant turtle walking towards the sea. The head, shell and legs are all turtle-shaped, and you're amazed that nature created such a perfect form.
At first I half-doubted "does it really look like a turtle?", but seeing it in person it was completely a turtle. It's a turtle from any angle, and seen from the side especially, it has a realism as if it's about to start moving.
An Artwork Carved Out by Nature Over a Long Time
This rock was created by nature over a long time — waves and wind eroded the rock, and the result became turtle-shaped. It wasn't carved by humans but a form nature created by chance, which makes it feel all the more mystical.
Look at the rock surface and the traces of wave erosion are clearly visible, and you can really feel that it became this shape little by little over thousands, tens of thousands of years. It's a place where you can feel the awesome power of nature and the passage of time.
A Sight, but Few Tourists
Turtle Rock is known as a sight too, but since Oyadomari Beach itself is a hidden gem, Turtle Rock also has few tourists. At famous spots there are crowds and you queue even to take a photo, but here you can see it at leisure and take as many photos as you like.
When I went too there was no one else, and I had Turtle Rock to myself. Being able to have such a wonderful place to myself, I thought, was too much of a luxury.
It Has Force Up Close
Turtle Rock is incredibly large up close, with force. From afar it looks like a cute turtle, but get closer and it's a giant mass of rock, and you feel the strength of nature.
You can see the rock surface in detail too, observing the fine details you can't tell without looking close — the traces of wave erosion, the weathered parts, the parts with moss growing. It's worth taking time to look carefully.
A Quiet, Calm Beach That Soothes You
Oyadomari Beach is quiet above all, and this stillness is, I think, its greatest appeal.
Few Tourists, So You Can Have It to Yourself
Famous beaches are crowded with tourists, noisy and unsettling, but Oyadomari Beach has few tourists. With no signs, only those who know come, and when I went there was no one else.
Having a beach to yourself is a great luxury, I think. You can spend time at your own pace, undisturbed by anyone. Taking photos, getting in the sea, walking the sand — all free.
A Place the Locals Have Cherished Since Long Ago
Oyadomari Beach is a place the locals have cherished since long ago, and precisely because it hasn't been turned into a tourist site, a rustic charm remains. It's not over-developed, so you can enjoy nature as it is.
Locals come for morning walks or family picnics, using it as a place to spend quietly. There are no flashy tourist-oriented facilities, but that's what's good, I think.
The Luxury of Hearing Only the Waves
With no people, only the sound of the waves is heard. A space where only the wind, the birds and the sounds of nature are heard is a luxury you can absolutely never taste in the city.
I once sat on the beach and gazed blankly at the sea for about an hour. Without a thought, just listening to the waves, looking at the sea, feeling the wind. That alone felt like it washed my heart clean.
How to Spend Your Time at Oyadomari Beach
Here are a few suggestions for how to spend your time at Oyadomari Beach.
Relax While Gazing at Irabu Bridge
The top recommendation is to sit on the beach and relax while gazing at the Irabu Bridge. Bringing a chair to sit on is good, or sitting directly on the sand is good too.
I brought a leisure mat and lay on it gazing at the sky, sea and bridge. It's a place where you can forget the time and spend it at leisure.
Enjoy Photography
It's the best spot for photography lovers, with the Irabu Bridge, Turtle Rock and clear sea all as subjects. It makes a picture from any angle, so try shooting from various angles.
The way the light hits changes by time of day — morning, midday, evening — so you can get completely different photos at the same place. I took dozens of photos too, and they all had different expressions.
Enjoy the Sea in the Shallows
The shallows are highly transparent, so getting in the sea is recommended too. Even at knee depth the seabed is clearly visible, and you can see small fish swimming.
Rather than swimming properly, dipping your feet in to cool off is just right. There are no lifeguards, so you need to take full care for safety.
See Turtle Rock Up Close
Going right up to Turtle Rock and observing it up close is interesting too. You can see fine details you can't tell without looking close — the texture of the rock surface, the eroded traces.
However, please absolutely don't climb on the rock or damage it. A feeling of carefully protecting an artwork created by nature is needed.
Read a Book
With a quiet environment, it's perfect for reading too. Reading a book while listening to the waves is, I think, the most luxurious time.
I once brought a favourite novel and read it at the beach. I could concentrate more than usual and finished it in no time.
Things to Note When Going to Oyadomari Beach
Here are a few things to note when going to Oyadomari Beach.
No Toilets or Shop
Oyadomari Beach has no toilets or shop. You need to use the toilet beforehand at your hotel or a convenience store. It's better to bring your own drinks and food too.
I thought at first "there'll be a toilet nearby," and had the experience of being stuck with nothing. Since then I always make a point of using the toilet beforehand.
No Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards, so getting in the sea is at your own risk. It's shallow so it looks safe, but the tidal flow can be fast, so you need to take full care.
With children especially, don't take your eyes off them. Bringing a float ring or life jacket is reassuring.
Sun Protection Is Essential
Okinawa's sun is strong, so sun protection is essential. Take thorough measures — a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a long-sleeved rash guard and so on.
I let my guard down at first and forgot to apply sunscreen, and burned bright red — it was awful. It's better to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Take Your Rubbish Home
There are no bins, so always take your rubbish home. Taking home the rubbish you make is basic. To keep the beautiful beach, each person needs to be mindful.
I bring a rubbish bag too and make a point of taking everything home when I leave. I want us all to keep the beach clean.
A Rental Car Is Needed
With no public transport, a rental car is needed. Going by bus or taxi isn't realistic. Rent a car and drive there yourself.
Parking space is limited, but with few tourists you can usually park. However, some areas are unpaved, so take care not to damage your car.
Recommended Times to Visit
Here are some recommended times for visiting Oyadomari Beach.
Morning – the Bridge Is Clearly Visible in Bright Light
In the morning (around 9–11 am) the bridge is clearly visible in bright light, perfect for photography. With the sun high, there are few shadows and you get clear photos.
I visit in the morning often, and this is my favourite time. It's not yet so hot, so it's just right for relaxing on the beach too.
Afternoon – a Gentle Atmosphere in Soft Light
In the afternoon (around 2–4 pm) it has a gentle atmosphere in soft light. Unlike the clear feel of the morning, a slightly dreamy atmosphere comes out.
This time has few people too, so it's recommended for those who want to spend quiet time. But the sun is strong, so sun protection is essential.
Evening – the Bridge Dyed by the Sunset Is Fantastical
In the evening (around 5–6 pm) you can see the bridge dyed by the sunset, the most fantastical time of the day. The sky dyed red and the bridge silhouette looming up is beautiful beyond words.
I've visited in the evening too, and was overwhelmed by its beauty. The time of looking back on the day while watching the sunset was a special experience.
Early Morning – Have the Stillness of No One Around to Yourself
In the early morning (around 6–8 am) you can have the stillness of no one around to yourself. It's the time the morning sun rises, and you can see the sky gradually brightening.
Getting up early is hard work, but the early-morning stillness is exceptional. Greeting the start of the day in a space where only the birds and the waves are heard makes you feel wonderfully refreshed.
Visit It Together with Nearby Sights
There are other sights around Oyadomari Beach, so visiting them together is good.
Toguchi-no-Hama
Toguchi-no-Hama, about 10 minutes by car from Oyadomari Beach, is Irabu Island's most famous beach. A white-sand beach about 800 metres long, the powder sand feels lovely.
In contrast to Oyadomari Beach, this one has many tourists and good facilities. Visiting both beaches and feeling the difference is interesting too.
Makiyama Observatory
Makiyama Observatory is an observatory at the highest point on Irabu Island, where you can survey the Irabu Bridge, Miyako Island, Kurima Island and Ikema Island. It's about 10 minutes by car from Oyadomari Beach.
After seeing the bridge from the side at the beach, seeing it from above at the observatory gives a different impression again. I recommend visiting both to grasp the bridge's whole form.
Sankakuten (Triangulation Point)
Sankakuten is a scenic spot atop a 70-metre (230 ft) sheer cliff, where you can survey a beautiful panorama in a space with nothing blocking the view ahead. It's about 15 minutes by car from Oyadomari Beach.
It's a popular spot on social media, so it's especially recommended for those who want to take photos. But it's atop a cliff, so you need to take full care for safety.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Oyadomari Beach.
Q1: How is Oyadomari Beach read?
"Oyadomari-no-Hama" or "Uyadomari-no-Hama." Both are correct.
Q2: Is there parking?
There's a parking space, but not a proper car park. The feel is parking on the road shoulder.
Q3: Is there a toilet?
No. You need to use one beforehand at your hotel or a convenience store.
Q4: Is there a shop?
No. Bring your own drinks and food.
Q5: Are there lifeguards?
No. Getting in the sea is at your own risk.
Q6: Can you swim?
You can dip your feet in the shallows. It's not suited to swimming properly.
Q7: Can you snorkel?
It's shallow, so it's not suited to snorkelling. Toguchi-no-Hama or Nakanoshima Beach is more recommended.
Q8: What time is recommended?
The morning (around 9–11 am) or evening (around 5–6 pm) is recommended.
Q9: How long should you stay?
About 1–2 hours for a leisurely time. Just for photos, 30 minutes is enough.
Q10: Is it OK with children?
It's fine. It's shallow so even small children can enjoy it. But there are no lifeguards, so don't take your eyes off them.
Q11: Can you go on a rainy day?
You can, but you can't see the scenery, so a fine day is better.
Q12: Is a rental car needed?
Yes. With no public transport, you can't get there without a rental car.
Precisely Because It's a Known-to-Those-Who-Know Place, I Want to Protect It
What I felt most strongly visiting Oyadomari Beach many times was that, precisely because it's a known-to-those-who-know place, I want to protect this stillness and beauty.
When a place becomes a famous tourist site, tourists increase, rubbish scatters, and the environment can deteriorate. But Oyadomari Beach hasn't been turned into a tourist site yet, so the natural form remains. To pass this beauty on to the next generation, each person who visits needs to be mindful.
Take your rubbish home, don't damage Turtle Rock, don't make a loud fuss, don't bother the locals — just keeping these basic manners protects this place. Every time, I bring a rubbish bag and make a point of picking up not just my own rubbish but litter that's lying about too.
The view of Irabu Bridge front-on is truly wonderful. The thrill of seeing it for the first time is unforgettable even now. The sight of the bridge extending straight over the sea is, I think, a miraculous beauty created by nature and humans.
Turtle Rock too is an artwork that nature created over thousands, tens of thousands of years, a form humans absolutely can't make. Being able to see this natural sculptural beauty up close is a very precious experience.
The stillness is a great appeal of Oyadomari Beach too. The time of relaxing in a space where only the waves are heard is a luxury you can absolutely never taste in the city. Without a thought, just gazing at the sea, feeling the wind, forgetting the passage of time. That kind of time soothes the heart.
If you're planning to go to Irabu Island, you absolutely should stop by Oyadomari Beach. With no signs it's hard to find, but the thrill when you get past that and arrive is sure to become an unforgettable memory.
It's the only place where you can see Irabu Bridge front-on, where you can see the natural artwork of Turtle Rock up close, and spend leisurely time at a quiet beach with no one around. There's no other place this luxurious, I think.
Precisely because it's a known-to-those-who-know hidden gem, this beauty is kept. I want everyone who visits to have a feeling of cherishing this place. Then this stillness and beauty will be protected forever, and future people will be able to taste the same thrill.
Oyadomari Beach and Turtle Rock are places you absolutely should visit when you come to Irabu Island. I want you to see the view of Irabu Bridge front-on with your own eyes too. That beauty can't be fully conveyed in photos. Actually go, see it with your own eyes, feel it with your own skin. That, I think, is the best experience.
