The Best Beaches in Japan.
How would you judge the best beach? Access? Parking? Cost? Facilities like showers? Water temperature? Sand? Water clarity? What activities are available? Safety? Rip or under Current?
Zamami Beaches would probably not rank as one of the top beaches if you ran it through a comparison test. Its expensive to get there, its very remote, you can not drive there.. but by far the best beach I have been to in Japan.
How to access Zamami Beach
As I live in Tokyo, you need to fly to Okinawa, get a bus|taxi|walk to terminal in Naha, catch a ferry, another bus to beach. As I said if we are doing a comparison of parameters to grade, Zamami, it would get 3 zeros for cost, access and parking. Also the ferry leaves early morning so you will need to stay in a hotel in Naha the day your flight arrives and take the ferry the next morning. Hotels are limited on the island and I suggest you do a day trip. They also have a camp ground but I have never used it so please do your research on what to bring if you decide to camp.
“Zamami Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Kerama Islands group and administered as the village of Zamami in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Zamami Island is 24 kilometers in circumference. The island has 3 settlements, which are Zamami, Ama, and Asa.” (citied from Wikipedia)
Ferries to Zamami and Aka Islands
There are 2 ferries that go to the Island “Queen Zamami“ is the fast boat which takes around 50 mins and leaves at 9am. The “Ferry Zamami” takes around 2 hours and leaves at 10am. (Check the schedules as times may have changed or might be seasonal)
You need to make a reservation for the fast boat, of course I did not make a reservation and spent an extra hour waiting at the terminal and 2 hours on the slow ferry. Even though I took the slow route, it was enough time to enjoy the beach and see the sights.
Pricing is a bit expensive
¥5,970 for adult and ¥2,990 for kids round trip (check prices)
Arriving at Zamami
There is not much on the island, so I would suggest brining snacks and refreshments with you. There is a store with limited items, vending machines and some vendors on the beach that sell over priced snacks. (have I mentioned snorkeling with turtles yet?) . If you are in a rush, you can buy sunscreen and refreshments there just might be a bit pricey.
From the terminal you take a city bus to the beach which is a slow 10 min drive up a huge hill, just follow the crowd as everyone is going to the same place and no locals ride the bus. I think the bus was ¥200.
Rental equipment
Snorkeling- fins, mask, lifejacket, floats, parasail, beach chairs are all there for you to rent for a few hours.. Although I do not have pictures we saw 3 turtles right at the beach and the coral is brilliant with a lot of sea creatures to keep you busy. Life guards are on duty and there was no under current, so its ideal for kids.
There is a small restaurant and showers there if needed. We spent a couple of hours on the beach and took the bus back to the terminal to walk around the town.
Returning to Naha by Ferry
Again I did not have a reservation and we had to take the 2 hour ferry ride home, think I slept the whole way back. Before we left we visited the 2 shops that were open and walked through the village. There was a few hostel type hotels and some scuba diving shops.
Normally, once I go explorer a place I do not return. Zamami, I will definitely go back this year and possibly look at the option of camping. It must have an amazing sunset and sunrise, maybe Part II is coming soon.
