Star Sand Beach (Hoshizuna-no-Hama) in Japan 2025

Okinawa is famous for its great beaches. But there is an exceptional beach called Hoshizuna-no-Hama, located on the northern coast of Iriomote Island. Its name translates to Star Sand Beach. If you look closely at the sand, you may notice that the sand is made of tiny stars. These small stars are exoskeletons of protists called Baclogypsina Sphaerulata, star-shaped species of Foraminifera. When the protists die, their exoskeletons form star-shaped sands.

Phenomenon Highlights

Baclogypsina Sphaerulata. These tiny organisms, just about a millimeter in size, live among the seagrass on the seabed and belong to the Calcalinidae family. When they die, their shells are carried to the shore by the waves, where the movement of the seawater breaks them into tiny, star-shaped grains. The distinctive pointed shape of these grains also aids the creatures living among them in moving around.

Myth Behind the Star Sand Beaches

Japanese mythology weaves a fascinating tale about the origins of the enchanting 'star sand.' According to legend, these tiny grains are the remnants of the North Star and the Southern Cross, celestial beings that fell from the heavens into the serene waters of Okinawa. However, the god of the sea, displeased with their arrival, sent a serpent to destroy them. What remains of these fallen stars are their delicate, skeletal forms, now scattered across the shorelines, creating the unique and mystical beauty of Okinawa's beaches.

Best Time to Visit

The star-shaped sand on Hoshizuna-no-Hama Beach is best seen from June to November when the waves, intensified by typhoons, bring in fresh deposits from the sea. While this season highlights the beach's unique beauty, typhoons can also disrupt services and cause temporary closures in the area.

Location

Hoshizuna-no-Hama Beach lies on the northern coast of Iriomote Island, which is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Okinawa, Japan. This spot offers convenient amenities such as restrooms and a rest house, making it a favorite destination for both tourists and local families.

Other Beaches With Star Sand

Only a few places on Earth are known to have such a curious phenomenon—there are two beaches on Taketomi and a few beaches on the neighboring islands of Iriomote and Hatoma. Nevertheless, Hoshizuna-no-Hama Beach is the most renowned attraction of its kind due to the sheer amount of star-shaped sand on its banks.

More About Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island, the second-largest island in Okinawa, remains largely untouched, with nearly 90% of its terrain blanketed by dense jungles and mangrove forests. Much of the island is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan's southernmost and most distinctive national park. Visitors are drawn to the island's rich natural beauty, with activities like sea and river kayaking, fishing, and sailing offering immersive experiences. For those seeking more leisurely pursuits, the island also features serene beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and a variety of scenic hiking trails, which can be explored independently or as part of guided tours.