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Yonaha Maehama Edit

Yonaha Maehama

Miyako maipama 2 Coordinates: N 24° 47' 0 E 125° 20' 0 Country Japan Prefecture Okinawa Prefecture Time zone Japan Standard Time Yonaha Maehama (与那覇前浜ビーチ) is a sandy beach and bathing beach located on Miyakojima Island in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture[1].

・Geography

It is a white sand beach at the southwestern tip of Miyako Island, extending 7 km.[2]

Locals (especially in the Yonaha area) used to call it simply Maehama (Maipama, Maibama), but in recent years it is often called Maehama Beach with the word "beach" added. In the Hirara dialect, "mai" means not only "front" but also "south," and it is thought that this beach was named Maehama because it is located in front and south of the Yonaha district.

In recent years, erosion of the sandy beach has been progressing, and there are concerns about the impact on tourism. In particular, erosion has expanded rapidly with typhoons No. 24 and No. 25, which struck successively in 2018, and some areas have been eroded to a depth of approximately 3 m over a width of several tens of meters, creating what appears to be a series of cliffs.

Kushima Island is located on the opposite side of the beach, and the Kushima Ohashi Bridge connects the southeastern end of the beach to Kushima Island. On the slightly northwestern side of the bridge is Maehama Port, where boats used to arrive and depart from before the bridge was built.

・Facilities

The beach offers a free parking lot, changing rooms, showers, and restrooms, as well as a store and cafeteria.[3]

During the tourist season, jellyfish prevention nets are set up and monitors are stationed. In summer, vendors also operate recreational equipment rentals, etc.

・Ratings

It was ranked No. 1 in the "Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan" by TripAdvisor in 2019. It was also ranked highly various times between 2010 and 2016. [4]

Okinawa Prefecture conducts pre-season and in-season water quality surveys for beaches that receive more than 10,000 visitors annually, and Maehama Beach was rated "Water Quality A" (suitable) in the 2016 in-season survey [add supporting references].

・Events

This sandy beach is the starting point for the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima held every April. [5] The opening of the Miyakojima Sea is also held on this beach. COMMENT: Explain what the "Miyakojima Sea" is.