Stars falling on the beach? Mysterious scenery on Iriomote Island, within arm’s reach

Reported and photographed by Reporter You T-Ru / Iriomote Island

“What?! Stars have fallen onto the beach?” The first time I heard this description of Iriomote Island’s shoreline, my curiosity about the legendary “last unexplored place in Japan” was instantly piqued. It turns out that Iriomote Island isn’t just fascinating for its rare and mysterious creatures like the Iriomote wild cat or its tropical jungles—even its beaches hold surprising experiences.


▲ Iriomote Island’s beaches also offer surprisingly magical experiences.

“Press your hand into the sand, then open your palm—and you’ll see the stars.” According to a local guide, the most astonishing sight at this “Star Sand Beach” is the pale yellow sandy ground before me. Following the guide’s instructions, I pressed my hand into the sand and then opened it—my palm was filled with beautifully shaped “star” grains of star sand, all similar in size, their tiny points scattered across my hand as if I were truly holding a handful of stars.


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▲ Many star sand grains are also wedged in the crevices of rocks along the beach.


▲ Known as a “treasure of happiness,” star sand is a unique feature of Iriomote Island’s Star Sand Beach.

Known as a “treasure of happiness,” star sand is a rare sight at Iriomote Island’s Star Sand Beach. The particularly astonishing star sand is actually the fossilized shells of foraminifera, which are densely distributed in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Western Pacific. The Yaeyama Islands area has the highest concentration, making it one of the places with the most star sand in the world. Because of this, visitors who want to see a breathtaking expanse of beautiful star sand can easily find a “sea of white stars” simply by visiting Star Sand Beach.

However, in recent years, with the sharp increase in visitors, many have been taking star sand from the beach at will. Locals especially remind those coming to Star Sand Beach that if they wish to keep seeing the star sand that brings happiness, they must remember to put the sand back where they found it, leaving it for others to enjoy and also helping to protect the natural beauty of the environment.


▲ If you want to keep seeing the star sand that brings happiness, be sure to put the sand back where you found it.

For more information on a “Trip to Iriomote Island,” please contact Tang Guizhen International Travel Agency →http://www.rolisa-tour.com.tw/