Aragusuku Island, Ishigaki Island - Kitanohama

石垣島新城島-北の浜-

What Is Kitahama?

Kitagahama is the main beach on Shinshō Island, and because it retains its unspoiled natural beauty, it is considered a natural beach.

The waters here boast some of the highest visibility in the Yaeyama Islands and are home to dense colonies of branching and table corals. With tropical fish of various colors swimming about, it’s the perfect spot for snorkeling.

新城島（パナリ島）北の浜

Every year, sea turtles come here to lay their eggs, a testament to the beauty of the surrounding ocean and beaches. The beach here is considered the most beautiful on Shinshō Island.

Not only is it perfect for snorkeling, but it’s also the ideal spot to enjoy the contrast between the white sand beach and the cobalt-blue sea.

How to Get to Kitanohama

Kitagahama is the most famous beach on Shinshō Island. It’s located about a 5-minute walk north of the harbor and the village.

It's located just up the coast from Takaniku. The path leading to the beach winds through a dense forest.

How to Enjoy Kitahama

Shinjo Island consists of Uejima, with a population of just over a dozen people, and Shimajima, with a population of just one person. Since there are, of course, no factories or buildings, the islands are surrounded by beautiful waters with exceptional clarity. Because of this beauty, the waters are also known as “Panari Blue.”

新城島（パナリ島）北の浜

Even without going into the water, you can see colorful coral and tropical fish on the seafloor just by looking down from the island. While Okinawa’s coral once suffered from severe bleaching, the coral on Shinshiro Island has remained largely unaffected. Combined with the rich variety of tropical fish that inhabit the area, this makes it one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the Yaeyama Islands.

Even within Shinshijima, Kita-no-Hama stands out for its wide stretch of white sand beach, offering a striking contrast with the sea.

There are large colonies of table corals and branching corals, and you can encounter clownfish, a popular tropical fish. The bright red sea anemones look absolutely stunning against the Panari Blue.

You'll find pieces of coral and seashells scattered along the beach, so you can enjoy some beachcombing. If you get tired from snorkeling, take a stroll to rest and enjoy the scenery.

新城島（パナリ島）北の浜

Details on Kitahama

Kita-no-Hama is one of the best beaches on Shinshōjima, located just a 5-minute walk from the harbor and the village. The path leading there is lined with lush vegetation, and beyond the greenery lies the ocean, renowned for its crystal-clear waters. However, because the forest is so dense, it’s easy to miss the beach, so be sure to follow a guide on your way there.

Kitagahama Beach is covered in fine, powdery white sand, which creates a beautiful sight as it swirls up with every wave. The beach also features fragments of coral and beach rocks, and near the water’s edge, there are large boulders where Adan and Monpa trees grow wild, giving the area a distinctly tropical atmosphere.

The sea at Kita-no-Hama shimmers in a lapis lazuli hue as the sunlight reflects off the water, creating a truly beautiful sight. While the underwater scenery while snorkeling is breathtaking, the view of the sea from Kuinu-pana—an observation deck near the pier—boasts a different kind of beauty. The Yaeyama Islands are home to unique rock formations eroded by the waves, and these are also scattered throughout the shallows at Kita-no-Hama on Shinchō Island. They possess an artistic beauty, and at sunset, you can enjoy a breathtaking view unlike any other.

Kitahama is located in the northwestern part of Shinshō Island and is the island’s widest beach, nestled between rocky mountains that jut out like a peninsula. Because it’s enclosed, it feels like a private beach, making it the perfect spot to spend a romantic moment with someone special.

It's a popular spot for snorkeling because of its abundant marine life, but since the water gets very shallow at low tide, we recommend visiting at high tide!