Yonaha Maehama

Yonaha Maehama (与那覇前浜ビーチ) is a popular bathing beach on Miyakojima Island in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.[1] This seven kilometer white sandy beach is at the southwestern tip of Miyako Island.[2] Locals refer to it simply as "Maehama" (Maipama, Maibama), but in recent years it is often called Maehama Beach, with the English loan word added. In the local Okinawan dialect, "mai" means not only "front" but also "south", so the named Maehama may have been chosen because it is located in front and south of the island's Yonaha district.[3] Kurima Island is located opposite this beach, and the Kurima Ohashi Bridge connects the southeastern end of the beach to Kurima Island. On the slightly northwestern side of that bridge is Maehama Port, where boats used to arrive and depart from before the bridge was built.[4]

Yonaha Maehama
Coordinates: 24°44′05″N 125°15′46″E
CountryJapan
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
Time zoneJapan Standard Time

In recent years, erosion of this beach has been progressing, and there are concerns about its impact on tourism. In particular, some typhoons in 2018 caused extensive erosion and a series of cliffs.[5]

Facilities

The beach offers a free parking lot, changing rooms, showers, and restrooms, as well as a store and cafeteria.[6] During the tourist season, jellyfish prevention nets are set up and monitors are stationed. In summer, vendors also operate recreational equipment rentals.

Ratings

This beach was ranked No. 1 in the "Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan" by TripAdvisor in 2019. It was also ranked highly various times between 2010 and 2016. [7] Okinawa Prefecture conducts pre-season and in-season water quality surveys at beaches receiving more than 10,000 visitors annually, and Maehama Beach received a "Water Quality A" (suitable for swimming) rating in the 2019 in-season survey [8]

Events

The bathing season at this beach is from late March to the end of October, and at other times of the year the beach is relatively quiet.[9] This sandy beach is the starting point for the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima, which is held each April. [10]

References
  1. Organization, Japan National Tourism. "Yonaha Maehama Beach | Travel Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization)". Travel Japan. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  2. "Yonaha Maehama Beach". VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  3. Miyagi, Kazuharu; Shimoji, Tomiko (2018). 語ろう 使おう しまくとぅば ぱなさ ちぅかーしぅまふちぅ [The Hirara Fuchu Dialect of Okinawan: Let's Talk and Use It] (PDF) (in Japanese). Naha, Okinawa: Okinawa Prefecture Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-04-02.
  4. All Nippon Airways (n.d.). "Yonaha Maehama Beach". Japan Travel Planner. All Nippon Airways. Archived from the original on 2023-01-24.
  5. Uda, Takaaki; Noshi, Yasuhito; Takahashi, Koichiro; Nakata, Yuki; Date, Ayami (2022). "Miyakojima no yonahamaehama bīchi no shinshoku jittai" 宮古島の与那覇前浜ビーチの侵食実態 [Beach Erosion of Yonaha-Maebama Beach on Miyako Island]. 土木学会論文集B3,海洋開発 [Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers Ser B3 (Ocean Engineering)] (in Japanese). 78 (2): I_67-I_72. doi:10.2208/jscejoe.78.2_I_67. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  6. LL (2022-09-15). "A Guide to Yonaha Maehama: Miyako Island's Best Beach". Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  7. "Best Beaches Around Japan! Tripadvisor Announces the Traveller's Choice Awards 2019". Tsunagu Japan. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  8. "Reiwa Gan Nendo Suiyoku Shīzun-chū Suishitsu Chōsa Kekka" 令和元年度水浴シーズン中水質調査結果 [2019 Bathing Season Water Quality Survey Results] (PDF) (in Japanese). Okinawa Pref. 2023-02-19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-02-18.
  9. "When will the beach open on Miyakojima? Recommended beaches and activities". Activity Japan. 2023-02-14. Archived from the original on 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  10. "All-Japan Miyakojima Triathlon". VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN | Official Okinawa Travel Guide (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
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