Emerald Beach
エメラルドビーチ26°42′ N 127°53′ EBeachJellyfish net in season
Emerald Beach in Ocean Expo Park, Motobu, is a netted and lifeguarded coral-sand beach inside a lagoon, with free showers and swimming from April to October.
Photo pelican · Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0
Three white spits stick out into the lagoon in a Y, and only the one called Asobi-no-hama is for swimming, behind a jellyfish net and watched by lifeguards. The Ministry of the Environment has listed the beach among Japan's top bathing beaches twice, in 2001 and 2006. For the sunset over Ie-jima, walk to the end of the viewing spit called Nagame-no-hama.
Snorkels are banned here for safety, so save the mask for Sesoko or Minna. Families come for the free showers and the short walk from the aquarium, and the beach snack sells yakisoba and ice cream for anyone who forgot lunch.
Before you swim
- Swimming closes for thunder, high waves, storm warnings or when dangerous marine life gets inside the swim area
- Typhoon preparations and repairs can shut the beach for several days
December to March
The kiosks and lifeguards run April to October, so December to March is a beach walk with no swimming service. Emerald Beach still stays open on the park's Wednesday partial-opening days through 31 March 2027.
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Sunset
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Check the beach status on the Ocean Expo Park website before you walk over; it shows closures live.
- Bring cash for rentals and the deposit.
FAQ
Quick answers about Emerald Beachよくある質問
Can you snorkel at Emerald Beach?
No. Emerald Beach in Ocean Expo Park bans snorkels for safety, and swimming is allowed only at the netted Asobi-no-hama area.
Is Emerald Beach free?
Yes. Emerald Beach charges nothing for swimming, showers or parking. Lockers cost ¥100 and float rentals start at ¥1,000.
When is Emerald Beach open for swimming?
Emerald Beach runs its swimming service from April to October. In 2026 the hours were 8:30–17:00 from 1 July to 31 October.
Can you swim at Emerald Beach?
Emerald Beach: Beach kiosks run April to October; in 2026 swimming hours were 8:30–18:30 to 30 June and 8:30–17:00 from 1 July to 31 October. Swimming is allowed only at the play beach, Asobi-no-hama. A jellyfish net marks the swimming area in season. Lifeguards: Lifeguards and a nurse on duty during swimming hours.
Is Emerald Beach worth visiting in winter?
The kiosks and lifeguards run April to October, so December to March is a beach walk with no swimming service. Emerald Beach still stays open on the park's Wednesday partial-opening days through 31 March 2027.
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