The “Dream Beach” Closest to Taiwan – Appears Only 6 Hours a Day

▲The legendary most beautiful dream beach in Japan.

Reported & photographed by You T-Ru / Kobama Island

“Welcome aboard, everyone. I’m Maeda, who has sailed around the world. Today, we’re heading to Japan’s most beautiful dream beach.” Captain Maeda, with deeply tanned skin, stood on the deck and introduced the spot in a booming voice. The “Dream Beach,” just a 30-minute boat ride from Kobama Island, is arguably the most stunning beach in all of Japan. This beach, glittering under the sunlight, is almost flawlessly white — so much so that it has attracted numerous Japanese TV dramas to film here.


▲Traveling straight from Taiwan to the “Dream Beach,” if timed right, can take less than two hours.

Located to the west of Ishigaki Island, Kobama Island is just a 20-minute boat ride away. Since the Taoyuan–Ishigaki route began operating at the end of May this year (2013), flying from Taiwan to Ishigaki takes only 40 minutes, plus a 20-minute boat trip. If you time it well, you can reach the “Dream Beach” from Taiwan in under two hours. As he steered the boat, Captain Maeda shared how the beauty and vibrant colors of Ishigaki’s ocean made him long for it even while traveling the world.

The journey from Kobama Island to the Dream Beach passes through multiple coral reef areas. Along the way, the captain frequently slowed the boat, letting it glide gently over the reefs with the waves to minimize ecological damage. The focus and sincerity in Captain Maeda’s eyes as he navigated through the coral were those of a traveler who had wandered far and was finally returning home, pouring the emotions of a life spent wandering into every moment.


▲About 10 minutes later, the Dream Beach came into view.



▲The “Dream Beach,” with its famous name, has attracted many Japanese TV dramas and music videos to film here from afar.

After about a 10-minute boat ride, the Dream Beach appeared. With its pure white sands, it’s not only a hidden beach gem in many people’s hearts but also a great spot for beginner snorkelers. The shallow area extending tens of meters from the shore allows even those who are afraid of water or can’t swim to easily dip their faces in and make their first connection with the ocean.

Stepping onto the Dream Beach, a stretch of snow-white sand shaped like a crescent is outlined against the light blue sea, resembling a smile with upturned corners. “This beach only appears during low tide. You can’t see it when the weather is bad or during high tide,” said Captain Maeda. This beach, which only emerges for six hours a day and is visible for only a quarter of that time, is called the “Dream Beach” by locals. Its famous name has drawn many Japanese TV dramas and music videos to film here from afar.

Before your eyes lies the light blue sea surrounding the beach, with several small man-made islands visible in the distance, giving the beach a sense of serene seclusion. Captain Maeda smiled proudly and said that despite having sailed all over the world, this beach in his hometown remains the most beautiful sacred place in his heart.


▲The light blue sea surrounding the beach, with several small man-made islands visible in the distance, gives the beach a sense of serene seclusion.




▲Stepping onto the Dream Beach, a stretch of snow-white sand shaped like a crescent is outlined against the light blue sea, resembling a smile with upturned corners.

For Kobama Island itineraries, check out Tang Gui-zhen International Travel Agency →http://www.rolisa-tour.com.tw/index.php