Shiraho 白保

With blue skies, blue seas, and blue coral, Shiraho is a town in the southeast corner of Ishigaki Island .

The area can only be accessed by car or by foot.

Shiraho Beach is around five minutes by car or around 50 minutes on foot south from Painushima Ishigaki Airport. There is no public transportation to the area.

The beach has a beautiful stretch of sand, but one of the main draws is the collection of coral. The area is home to more than 120 kinds of corals, including a large community of blue corals said to be the oldest and largest in the northern hemisphere.

This is an idyllic spot for diving, exploring the fabulous blue coral, and viewing the exotic fish. On a snorkeling tour, guides will take you to some of the best spots and provide information about the coral and the fish. There are also boats with glass bottoms that operate at high-tide, so you can get up close to the coral without getting wet.

The local people of Shiraho are very aware of the environmental impact of tourism. For those wanting to enjoy the stunning beauty of the coral reefs, it is best to sign up for an official guided tour to ensure you are following the local rules and regulations.