Isso Beach

Isso Beach (Isso Kaisuiyokujo) is the largest swimming beach on Yakushima, in the fishing village of Isso on the island's north coast. The beach sits inside a natural cove, so the water is usually calm, and it is one of the safest places on the island to swim with children. It has been rated the cleanest swimming water in Kagoshima Prefecture. There is no entrance fee.

Swimming and snorkeling at Isso Beach

The official swimming season runs from mid-July to the end of August. In those weeks a lifeguard is on duty and food stalls open. Toilets, showers and changing rooms are next to the sand.

Isso is also one of the best spots on Yakushima for snorkeling and diving. Large coral formations lie just offshore, with plenty of reef fish, and sea turtles are often seen in summer. Several local operators run guided snorkeling trips from the beach, which is the easiest way to find the turtles. The Japan Tourism Agency's Isso Beach notes cover the bay and its marine life.

Sea turtles also nest on the beach from May to July. If you see a fenced patch of sand, it protects a nest, so keep clear of it. The main nesting site, with organized night observation tours, is Nagata Inakahama Beach on the northwest coast.

What else to see at Isso

At the right end of the beach, a red torii gate marks the way to Yahazudake Shrine, a Hachiman shrine built inside a sea cave on Cape Yahazu. On clear days you can see the small volcanic island of Satsuma Iojima across the sea.

How to get to Isso Beach

• By bus: get off at Yahazu (stop No. 13), right by the beach. Island buses run along the coast road from Miyanoura.

• By car: the beach has a free lot for about 30 cars.

Isso is a short drive west of Miyanoura, the main port, which makes it an easy half-day stop after hiking. For more coastal trips, see our roundup of beaches on Japan's islands.