[7 Scenic Swings in Ishigaki Island] Secret Beaches Melting into the Sea and Sky

Feel the sea breeze with your whole body, kick the white sand at your feet, and soar into the sky. A gradation of blue sea spreads out as far as the eye can see.
In Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, there are "scenic swings" scattered around that are not fully introduced even on the internet or SNS. Some made by gathering driftwood, some swaying quietly in the shade of trees, and some floating on the sea. They are not just "Instagrammable spots", but special seats to surrender yourself to the rhythm of waves and wind.

1. Funakura Park Windsurfing Area | Special Seat on the Street Corner, Befriending Sunset and Wind

Just a short drive from the city center, the color of the air changes just by turning off the main street. This is a secret beach known to all local wind riders but unknown to anyone else. On a simple beach that is not conscious of tourists at all, the swing stands alone as if someone placed it there.
The charm here is the unadorned "everyday feeling". There is no bustle like a beach crowded with tourists, only the sound of waves and wind. Sitting on the swing and looking at the sea, time melts slowly. At dusk, when the sky begins to dye madder red, a beautiful view spreads out with Taketomi Island in front as a silhouette.

Maniac Way to Enjoy

This place is interesting on days when the "south wind" blows strongly (forecast wind speed 7.8m or more). Colorful windsurfing, wing foil, and kitesurfing dance on the sea surface, and the swing becomes a special seat for viewing them.
If you take pictures, I recommend daring to use backlight to shoot silhouettes. The blueness of the sea and the vastness of the sky stand out, and you can take a picture like a scene from a story. It's close to the city center, so it's a nice point that you can stop by in a little gap time before dinner.

Location	Arakawa, Ishigaki City (Beach adjacent to Funakura Park)
Parking	Available
Toilet	Nearby (Inside Funakura Park)

2. Sakieda Minamihama | Dozing in the Shade of Momotamana, Natural Private Beach

This beach spreading to the south of Sakieda Peninsula on the west side of Ishigaki Island is a hideaway known to those in the know. A "Momotamana (Tropical Almond)" tree spreading its branches widely on the white sandy beach. The swing hung on its thick branch drops gentle sunlight filtering through trees on the sandy beach and protects you from the scorching heat of Ishigaki Island.
There is no hustle and bustle as a "tourist spot" here, only overwhelming silence and cool wind blowing through the shade of trees. There is no better place to forget time and zone out.

Maniac Way to Enjoy

This is also a wind riding point where windsurfing etc. gather on days when north wind or strong south wind blows. If you can capture the blue sea, swing, sandy beach, and sail well, you can aim for a photo that can only be taken here.

Location	Sakieda, Ishigaki City (Southern part of the peninsula)
Parking	A few cars
Toilet	None

Beach / Hidden Gem

[South Sakieda Beach] The Luxury of Doing Nothing Under Giant Trees | Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan

A hidden beach with no signs, not found in guidebooks. Swing under giant Momotamana trees and enjoy the silence—a perfect retreat for adults.

3. Beach near Fukido River | Large Swing Not on the Map, Only for Adventurers

This is a "super hidden spot" that you can never find just by passing by. Around the back of the mangrove forest of Fukido River. Beyond the animal trail in the slight gap of the plant wall spreading between the road and the sea, a secret beach is waiting.
A large swing that can seat 2 adults and the sea wide open to the west is the ultimate hidden beach that shows the blue of the north in the morning and the sunset in the evening.

How to Access This Ultimate Hidden Spot

Access requires a little trick. Carefully look for a break in the trees along the road near the Google Maps coordinates (24.48665, 124.22825). It's a path that makes you think "Can I go down here?", but if you have the courage to proceed, it's paradise in a few seconds.
Since the swing is large, it is standard to sit side by side with a couple or friends and shoot from behind. If you set the camera a little lower and include a wide sky, it will be a dynamic composition. It is manner to park your car at the nearby Fukido River parking lot and walk. Avoid street parking as it hinders traffic.

Location	Nosoko, Ishigaki City (Near Fukido River mouth)
Parking	Use Fukido River Sightseeing Parking
Toilet	None

4. Urakabira Beach | Difficult Place with Two Swings, Land and Sea

Just opposite Kabira Bay crowded with tourists, commonly known as "Urakabira". There are two swings here. One is a swing on the sandy beach. And the other is a "Water Swing" that you can't reach unless you proceed on the sea.
You can see the swing on the sandy beach if you go out to the beach and proceed to the right. Shallow beach, Kabira Bay, and small islands spread out before your eyes. On the other hand, the water swing that you can't go to unless you participate in a SUP or kayak tour is truly "extraordinary". Floating alone on the transparent sea, the experience of swaying while soaking your feet in the water can only be tasted here in Ishigaki Island.

Access Here is Quite Hard

Honestly, stop going down to just before the beach by rental car. The road is bumpy, and plants mercilessly scratch the car body. It is wise to park at the parking lot overlooking Kabira Bay and walk down, but the uphill slope on the way back is quite a workout.
If you say "I don't want to walk that much just for a swing", the correct answer is to apply for a kayak or SUP tour based here. The guide will guide you to the swing on the sandy beach as well as the water swing, and take pictures. Whether you go by land with difficulty or go elegantly by sea on a tour. Whichever you choose, a magnificent view awaits ahead.

Location	Kabira, Ishigaki City (Opposite side of the settlement)
Parking	Parking overlooking Kabira Bay (Walking recommended)
Toilet	None

Hidden Gem

[Ishigaki Urakabira Beach] Escape the Crowds. Walk the Sand Path Floating in the Sea

"Urakabira" not in guidebooks. A sand path at low tide, water swings, and overwhelming silence. Another face of Kabira Bay.

5. Sukuji Beach | Silent Forest and Shallow Sea, Adult Chill Time

Sukuji Beach drifts with a somewhat calm atmosphere while being right next to a famous resort hotel. The shallow and calm sea continues forever, and behind it spreads a deep green forest of Casuarina.
The swing here is installed using the shade of the forest. It blocks strong sunlight, so it is attractive that you can spend comfortably even in midsummer. Rather than flashy "Instagrammable", there is a moist emotion like a scene from a movie. Swaying on a swing with a wet body after entering the sea and feeling the dry wind is unique to a resort.

If You Take Pictures, High Tide or Sunset

The difficulty of photography is a bit high. Because it is in the shade of trees, it tends to be dark if you try to shoot with the sea in the background during the day. Also, at low tide, the sea recedes quite far, so it may be difficult to have "sea back".
The aim is the afternoon when the tide is full. Please estimate the time when the sunlight filtering through trees becomes soft. Since showers and toilets are fully equipped here, it is a smart way to use it while taking a break from playing in the sea. Put it on the list as a place to enjoy the atmosphere rather than shooting heavily. It is a famous place for sunset, so if things go well, you can shoot the best sunset reflection and swing.

Location	185-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City
Parking	Available (Free, Wide)
Toilet	Available (Shower equipped)

Beach & Sea

[Ishigaki Island Sukuji Beach] Avoid the "Can't Swim Tragedy". Tides and Mosquito Measures You Must Know Before You Regret

Can't swim at low tide!? A resident dad teaches the "importance of high tide time", "mosquito measures", and how to enjoy the magnificent view at dusk.

6. Kabira Tabaga | Miracle Blue Allowed Only to Those Who Arrive

Those who hear the name "Tabaga" and recognize it are probably quite Ishigaki Island connoisseurs or those who are diligent in SNS research. This place is known as a place with an iconic swing on a beach boasting top-class blueness in Ishigaki Island.
The blueness of the sea jumping into view is vivid enough to lose words. It is no exaggeration to say that the handmade swing installed in front of it is "for this scenery". White sand, emerald green sea, blue sky. All necessary colors are gathered here. It is the strongest location where anyone can take a picture like a poster.

Access Difficulty is Too High

The best scenery comes with a price. The road leading here is a bumpy road in the fields. It is often not displayed correctly on rental car navigation, and on the way, it shakes enough to make you anxious "Is this really correct?". Courage to park in a wide place before and walk is also necessary for cars with low vehicle height or those unfamiliar with driving.

Location	Kabira, Ishigaki City (Via farm road)
Parking	Space available (Road surface bad)
Toilet	None

7. Taketomi Island - Kaiji Beach | Searching for Star Sand, Swaying in Island Time

About 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island. "Kaiji Beach" on Taketomi Island is famous as a place where star-shaped sand can be found, but actually, there is also a wonderful swing here.
Passing through a natural tunnel made by trees such as Hasunohagiri, there is a white beach made of coral fragments. The simple swing hung on a tree branch is the simple atmosphere of the island itself. Sitting and swaying, the silhouette of Iriomote Island floats in front of you. Tourists are all looking down and absorbed in searching for star sand, so the area around the swing is surprisingly quiet. You can spend a relaxing time.

Star Sand Hunting

You can find star sand quite easily by pressing your finger or the palm of your hand against the sand and looking closely at the sand that comes with it. Everyone searches but eventually throws it away and goes home, so there is plenty. If you take it home, bring a small ziplock bag etc. Since they are small grains of about 1-2mm, they will go somewhere immediately.

Location	Taketomi, Taketomi Town (In Taketomi Island)
Parking	Bicycle parking available
Toilet	Available

8. How to Choose "Base" and "Transport" to Change Travel Quality

The spots introduced this time are all places where the hurdle is a bit high to visit only by bus or taxi. Especially for hidden spots like "Beach near Fukido River" and "Sakieda Minamihama", a rental car that can move without worrying about time is an essential item.
Being able to flexibly change destinations according to wind direction and tide level, saying "It's north wind now, so let's go to the south beach", is an advanced island traveler. Securing your legs firmly so as not to get tired just by moving is the first step to taking memorable photos.

Also, if you want to go around these spots efficiently, it is recommended to base yourself at a resort hotel with good access or an intermediate point between the city center and Kabira area. Being able to monopolize the sea with no one around first thing in the morning is a privilege only for those who stayed nearby.
Pin the places you want to go on the map app and go on a journey to find your own magnificent view.