Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island is located approximately seven kilometres west of Ishigaki Island and is only a short ferry ride from Ishigaki Port. It is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park and is surrounded by the Sekisei Lagoon, a protected coral reef that is home to hundreds of different types of coral and other marine life. Many of the walls and walkways on the island are made of coral remnants.

The most striking feature of the island is its beautifully preserved Ryukyu village. Limestone walls with hedgerows of hibiscus and bougainvillaea surround wooden houses with traditional red-tiled roofs. Shisa statues, a mythological guardian lion, stand guard on many of the roofs.

Kondoi Beach, on the western side of Taketomi Island, has a long stretch of soft white sand. The beach is popular for swimming and has basic amenities such as restrooms, changing rooms, and picnic tables. Kaiji Beach (Star Sand Beach) is well-known for its sand grains that are shaped like stars. The "sand" is actually the pointed husks of foraminifera, which are tiny shelled organisms. It is important to note that taking them from the beach is strictly prohibited.

• Location: Okinawa, Japan
• Best time to visit: July, August, and then June