Nmya~chi! Suna (@miyakojimalife_) (*’▽’)
Have you ever dreamed of swimming with sea turtles? Did you ever have that dream as a child? If so, we have good news for you.
If you go to a beach on Miyakojima, there’s almost a 100% chance you’ll get to swim with sea turtles!
“But it’s probably expensive, isn’t it?”
I can almost hear you saying that, but,It’s free!
Shinjo Beach, featured here, is famous as a beach where you can swim with sea turtles. You’re sure to have a wonderful time if you stop by while sightseeing on Miyakojima! ♪
What you’ll learn from this article
- Location of Shinshiro Beach
- Travel time
- Parking
- Availability of showers
- Where to Find Sea Turtles
- Recommended Shops and Cafes in the Area
etc.
You can also jump to any heading that interests you using the “Table of Contents” below, so please feel free to use it♪
Now, let’s take a look at Shinshiro Beach!
NewShiro Beach: What It’s Like
Shinjo Coast! When searching for it, most people probably type “Shinjo Coast,” right? It’s actually pronounced “Aragusuku.” The kanji used in Okinawa are hard to read, aren’t they? Even locals sometimes have trouble reading them.
Shinjo Beach is located on the eastern side of Miyakojima Island, in the former town of Gusukube. It’s in this area, as shown on the map.
From Hirara, the downtown area of Miyakojima, it takes about 20 minutes by car.
A spectacular view from the hilltop
To reach Shinshiro Beach, you’ll descend a narrow path along sheer cliffs. As you do, this view is sure to instantly boost everyone’s spirits in the car!
It’s absolutely beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve been going to this beach since I was a kid, but I still get excited every time before I head down the hill.
As you drive down the hill with the stunning view on your left, you’ll notice that this road is really narrow. Cars going up and down barely miss each other.
Back in the day, not many people came to visit, so this was fine…
As shown in the photo, you can enjoy a pleasant walk down the hill, but during the peak summer season, the left lane is overflowing with parked cars. It’s packed solid all the way from the beach to the road at the top of the hill…
If you’re visiting between July and September, you should expect that there’s only one lane of traffic in each direction.
In the event of an accident on the beach, this is the only road an ambulance can use, so please don’t park on the street (ー人ー)
There are both free and paid parking lots.
There are three free parking lots maintained by Miyakojima City.
The first one is right on the right as soon as you go down the hill. You’ll notice a “No Parking” sign, but this applies only to marine business operators, so“General” is acceptable.There are quite a few marine tour operators parked there, so I’d appreciate it if people would follow the rules…
There is parking for about 20 cars. With shower facilities and restrooms nearby and the lot being paved, it fills up quickly.
The second one is down the hill on the left. At first glance, it might look like a “beach house parking lot,” but this is also a public parking lot. It can accommodate about five cars.
Once you pass Free Parking Lot 2, you’ll come to a large open area on your left.This is a paid parking lot.If the free parking lot is full, you’ll have no choice but to park in the paid parking lot. It can accommodate about 80 vehicles.
Paid parking lots are on private property and are operated by individuals. Parking fees are2,000 yen per session!Even so, parking lots fill up during peak season.
The third free parking lot is located past the paid parking lot.
There is space for about 20 cars along the forest edge.
Although it’s a bit of a walk from the restrooms and shower facilities, this is the parking lot closest to the sea turtle viewing spot.
Private paid showers and restrooms
The restrooms are located in Free Parking Lot 1, immediately to the right after going down the hill. The restrooms are in the center of the building, with shower rooms on either side.
There are three shower facilities for both men and women, maintained by Miyakojima City.
Since all rooms are private, they’re very convenient to use. They’re well-maintained and clean inside.
The fee is a reasonable 100 yen for 5 minutes. When I went, it happened to be free due to a technical glitch ( ﾟДﾟ)
There are shelves where you can put your luggage, so it’s easy to change clothes.
Free Spring Water Showers
If you don’t feel like paying for a shower, we recommend the natural spring water shower! It’s incredibly cold, but it gives you a taste of that out-of-the-ordinary experience you come to the island for.
There is a hose installed, which makes it very convenient to use. Since water flows continuously, there is no faucet.
UTo the Beach with Migame
Now, let’s finally head to the beach!
There are three main entrances to Shinshiro Beach. The first is the entrance right in front of you as soon as you go down the slope. There is a stone monument marked “Shinshiro Beach.”
The second spot is in the woods a little to the left. I really like the atmosphere here.
Cute shisa statues welcome you.
The third one is located deep in the woods on the far left. It’s the entrance closest to Free Parking Lot 3. This entrance is actually the closest to the spot where you can see sea turtles.
The Sea Is Too Beautiful
When you arrive at the beach, you’ll be amazed by the white sand and blue sea. Since it’s 9:00 a.m., the sun isn’t high in the sky yet, and the sea has a gentle hue.
The water is truly crystal-clear. I was born on Miyakojima and have been playing in these waters my whole life, but even so, it’s so beautiful it still moves me.
If you have small children, visit at low tide
One of the pleasures of visiting is seeing how the ocean scenery changes between low tide and high tide.
Since we have three children—two in elementary school and one in kindergarten—we almost always go there when the tide is out. This is what it looks like at low tide. Since it’s around noon, the sun is high in the sky, and the color and blue of the ocean are absolutely stunning.
On a different day, when the tide goes out this far, even small children can enjoy watching tiny tropical fish from above the water. The colors look quite different on this overcast day. It’s actually much prettier in person, but this is the best my iPhone could do…
If you go a little further out to sea, you’ll see reefs and coral, so you can also spot some larger tropical fish.
You can see sea turtles even at low tide, so this is a great spot to visit if you’re bringing young children.
The water is calm with no waves, but there is a current. Be careful not to drift too far.
Where to Find Sea Turtles
Here’s the spot where you’ll find the sea turtles we’ve been talking about!
Once you arrive at the beach, just keep walking to the left, and you’ll reach the spot where the sea turtles are. Based on the photo from earlier, it’s around here. You’ll recognize it right away because there’s always a crowd gathered there.
The reason I’m here is that this entire area is full of seaweed, and sea turtles are feeding here. It’s surprising how long they keep eating ( ‘༥’ )ŧ‹”ŧ‹”
Sea turtles right in front of you
When you arrive at the spot, you’re sure to see at least one or two sea turtles. While it’s common to spot them while fishing, seeing them swim right in front of you and eat seaweed is truly surprising.
Occasionally, sea turtles swim by or surface to breathe. It’s so much fun to swim alongside them while watching them.
Whenever friends from Okinawa Main Island or outside the prefecture come to visit, I always take them there, and everyone really enjoys it. I highly recommend it.
Types of Sea Turtles
There are three species of sea turtles that can be seen on Miyakojima.
This sea turtle is the one you’re most likely to encounter. Since it often feeds on seaweed in shallow waters, you’re more likely to see it there. It has a jagged beak. This is the sea turtle you’ll see at Shinshiro Beach.
Although you’re less likely to encounter them than green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles can also be seen on Miyakojima. They appear to feed primarily on sponges—a type of invertebrate found in the crevices of coral reefs. They are characterized by their sharp beaks. In Okinawa, this species was often stuffed and displayed as decorations in the past.
The hardest species to spot is the loggerhead sea turtle. As its name suggests, it has a reddish-brown color and seems to prefer feeding on crabs and shellfish that live on the seafloor. Although they are sometimes seen near the coast, they generally live offshore.
Watch out for sea turtles and coral
The sea turtles you can see at Shinshiro Beach are,It is designated as an endangered species.You may occasionally see people touching the turtles’ shells, but please do not do this under any circumstances. Also, be careful not to damage or step on the coral while snorkeling or walking around the island.
We often hear that “global warming is causing coral bleaching,” but on Miyakojima’s beaches, I feel there’s actually more “trampled coral” due to the increase in visitors than to climate change.
The beach that was completely deserted when I was a child is now bustling with people all year round. To ensure we can continue to enjoy snorkeling in these waters in the future, it’s important for everyone who visits—whether locals or tourists—to be mindful of their actions.
What to Bring
1. Snorkeling Mask
If you don’t have any, swimming goggles will do—you can make it across at low tide.
2. Water Shoes
You definitely need these! The areas around where you’ll find fish and sea turtles are rocky. If you don’t have them, sandals like Crocs will work too.
3. Best Snorkeling Spots
While it’s definitely something you should have, personally I think you can get by without one because at low tide you can walk right up to the sea turtles. However, if the tide hasn’t receded as much as you expected (and the water is still deep), it’s better to rent one. If you plan to use it again in the future, you should consider buying either a wetsuit or a wetsuit vest. Our family opted for a wetsuit.
Recommended beach houses are
It used to be a pristine, undeveloped beach, but now it’s lined with many beach huts.
Recommended are“Parler Miyoshiya”
This shop is run by Eikichi, a native of Miyakojima, and has been in business at Shinshiro Beach for decades. Here are some highlights: ↓
- Snorkeling 3-Piece Set (snorkel, goggles, fins) for 1,500 yen—a real bargain
- 4-Piece Snorkeling Set (Snorkel, Goggles, Life Jacket, Water Shoes) 2,000 yen
- Rent a set of four or more items to get a free beach umbrella.
- Miyako Soba: 500 yen
- Grilled turban shell: 200 yen (The turban shells on Miyakojima are absolutely delicious!)
They’ll teach you how to snorkel and show you where to find Nemo. Plus, their friendly personality makes them very approachable.
NearRecommended Shops in the Area
Shinjo Beach is located in a rural area of Miyakojima. As a result, the surrounding area consists solely of sugarcane fields and pastures. It takes about 15 minutes by car to reach the nearest convenience store. Of course, since there are no traffic lights, it takes 15 minutes…
There aren’t any stores in the immediate vicinity, but if you head to the center of Shirobe, you’ll find a few small, independently owned shops here and there. Among them, I recommend two.
A-Coop Shirobe Store
The only supermarket in Shirobe! It’s about a 5- to 6-minute drive from Shinjo Beach. This is a convenient spot if you’ve forgotten to buy something.
One of the highlights here is the wide selection of local ingredients, such as fish caught in the waters around Miyakojima and Miyako beef. Depending on the day, you might even find island octopus from Ishigaki Island. I often talk about this with my friends, but island octopus is definitely the most delicious (*’▽’)
They also sell Abasa (Harisenbon), so our family buys it often.
Compared to the city, there is a wider variety of cuts of meat and rare ingredients available here. “Keisan-gyu” refers to female cows that can no longer give birth. While the price per unit is lower, the flavor is definitely worth it.
You don’t really see pork necks for sale at supermarkets very often, do you…? It’s a supermarket where you can get a feel for Okinawa and Miyakojima just by stopping by.
Café Nuis – nuis –
A recommended café and dining spot is “Nuis.” It’s also located about a 5- to 6-minute drive from Shinshiro Beach.
A stylish café that was also used as a location for the photo shoot of Morning Musume member Ayumi Ishida’s photobook. The food is excellent—I absolutely love their Spiced Pork Curry! The sweets, such as scones and chocolate cake, are also exquisite.
Another great feature isIt’s open from 7:30 a.m.!It’s the perfect way to head to the beach after breakfast.
We’ve written a previous article about Nuis, so please check it out here ↓
[Nuis] A Stylish Café on Miyakojima Island Known for Its Charming Pastures
I hope you’ll find this guide useful when you visit Miyakojima. I hope this article helps someone have a great time on Miyakojima.
Thanks for reading to the end! (´･ω･)(´_ _)♪
3泊4日で富山県から宮古島に娘と旅行に来ています！
この記事のおかげでウミガメにも出会えて感謝です！
投資記事もとても参考になりました！
残りも全力で楽しみたいと思います^_^
金川さん、コメントありがとうございます。
ウミガメ出会えたようで良かったです♫
趣味で書いているブログなので、誰かの役に立てたと知り嬉しくなりました。
富山は２回ほど行きましたが、黒部渓谷、五箇山と最高でした。
氷見うどんとホタルイカもまた食べたいです！
こんにちは！
はじめまして！
Xのアカウントからブログを拝見しましたが、宮古島旅行した際に新城海岸に行ったことを思い出して楽しい気持ちになりました✨
ブログ記事も写真がたっぷりで楽しいです
他の記事も読んでみますね！
やまめさん、コメントありがとうございます♫
初めまして！宮古旅行を思い出してもらえて嬉しいです。
更新頻度は高くありませんが、ぜひ楽しんでいってください\( ˆoˆ )/