Walking Tour in JAPAN: Wild Beaches, Fishing Village and Japanese Countryside – Okinawa

Walking Tour in JAPAN: Wild Beaches, Fishing Village and Japanese Countryside – Okinawa

Hamahigajima (浜比嘉島) is a small island located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. To get there, no ferry is needed: the island is accessible by car, by bike, or even on foot thanks to a series of bridges. Hamahigajima is a peaceful island, still untouched, where time seems to slow down. This video invites you to discover its peaceful atmosphere, countryside, and paradise-like beaches. To fully immerse yourself in the island’s atmosphere, this video is ASMR. That means no voice or music
—just the sounds of nature. I’m taking you to see Amamichuu no haka (アマミチューの墓). It’s probably the island’s most famous spot, known for its sacred cave. It’s indeed a spiritual site, where you often see various offerings like flowers, fruit, or incense. According to Okinawan mythology, this cave holds the tomb of the goddess Amamichuu. This goddess is considered one of the original creators of the Ryukyu Islands in Okinawan belief. No worries if you’re not familiar with the word “Ryukyu” yet—I’ll take a moment to explain it later in the video. The cave is right here, just a bit further up. Since this is a sacred place for believers, I choose not to film the inside out of respect.
Some treasures are meant to stay secret 😉 The island is divided into two main villages: Hama and Higa, which gives the name Hamahiga.
Then “Jima” means “island.”
So: HamaHigaJima. The path I’m taking today is about 2 km long, making it an easy island to explore on foot or by bike. You can reach the island by car from Okinawa’s capital, Naha—about a 1.5-hour drive via the highway and then the coastal road. The atmosphere here is peaceful, traditional, and very natural. You’ll see! The island is home to a local community proudly preserving a rich and living cultural heritage. You’ll also find traditional houses and “Shisa” statues (a mythical, protective creature iconic to Okinawa). People here live at a peaceful pace that I find really pleasant—between fishing, farming, and a bit of quiet tourism. You can’t tell just yet, but I’m slowly heading toward a quiet, untouched, and hidden beach. The path to the beach goes through a small piece of Okinawan countryside that we’ll discover soon. Here we are!
This is where a peaceful bit of countryside begins. It’s also the right time for me to tell you about “Ryukyu.” Ryukyu (琉球) is the name of an independent kingdom that existed for several centuries, from the 15th century until 1879. Ryukyu was an archipelago and included Okinawa (its main island),
as well as many surrounding islands. Ryukyu had its own language, culture, religion, and a royal family with a palace (the famous Shurijo, destroyed in 2019 but now being rebuilt). This kingdom had strong ties with both China and Japan, sometimes acting as a mediator between the two. In 1879, the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by Japan and turned into a prefecture. Since then, Okinawa has been the southernmost prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture and its many surrounding islands are actually what used to be the Ryukyu Kingdom. Still, Okinawa remains a very unique region today, as its culture is still different from mainland Japan. Let me give you a few examples to help you understand: “Ryukyu spirituality”:
Okinawa’s indigenous religion before Japanization is still very present today. The Ryukyu language:
Some people still speak this ancient language, which is different from Japanese. “Okinawan music” is very different from traditional Japanese music. Just like Caribbean music, Okinawan music stands out with its flowing, sun-soaked melodies. Okinawan music is also accompanied by a traditional three-stringed banjo-like instrument called the Sanshin. There are several beaches with small coves around the island, perfect for being alone in front of the sea. Protected by coral reefs, the sea here is calmly reassuring. It’s the perfect place for a safe family swim. I could’ve taken you to the beach by car, but let’s be honest—filming a windshield and its wipers is way less charming 😉 Hamahigajima’s beaches:
Muruku Beach (which we’ll see in another video) is the most popular one. Showers, toilets, and food are available during the season. Kayak rentals are also available. There are also quiet beaches with coves and small turquoise lagoons. I’m actually heading to one of those beaches to show you. Fishing:
A traditional activity still practiced by locals. You’ll often see local fishing boats around. Shore fishing is also common at low tide—people catch fish, shellfish, and octopus. Shore fishing, but at high tide.
You just step into the water and cast your fishing rod. You can also go on sea fishing tours (with a reservation). Swimming:
The water is clear, warm (especially from April to October), and shallow near the shore. The areas are generally safe, with no strong currents.
(But it’s always best to check the weather before swimming—stay safe 😉) Shallow water snorkeling is possible. This snorkeling is perfect for a first experience. Note that due to the shallow depth, marine biodiversity is modest compared to other islands. Environment and countryside:
The island is lush, dotted with fields of sugarcane and local vegetables. There you will find papaya trees, banana trees (even wild ones), hibiscus, and local wildlife typical of Okinawa. Here is a wild banana tree near a beverage dispenser 😅 I find the size of the flower impressive. If you didn’t know, I’ll show you. Come on! We’re here!! 😊
Here is one of the beaches I’m going to show you in this video. Here, only the images suffice. I’ll let you savor the moment, and we’ll meet later to continue the walk. 😊 Are you still with me? 😊
I hope you liked this wild beach. To access the second beach, you have to cross the fishing village. At the end of this path is a sacred, peaceful, and secluded place. And before I show you the next beach, I’m going to tell you a bit of its history. The shrine of Shirumichu is a sacred place. (I’ll show you this place a bit later in the video… patience) 😊 According to Ryukyu mythology, this cave would have been the home of the creative deities Amamikyu and Shinerikyu, considered as the ancestors of the Ryukyu people. The shrine is especially revered by couples who come to pray for fertility and family prosperity. Access to the shrine is made by passing under a wooden torii, followed by a staircase of 108 steps leading to the entrance of the cave. This path, surrounded by lush vegetation, gives the place a mystical and solemn atmosphere. For visitors wishing to go to the Shirumichu shrine, it is recommended to respect the sacred character of the place. It involves adopting a respectful attitude but also avoiding disturbing the local religious practices. Simple gestures like not littering and speaking quietly are within everyone’s reach 😉 The island is also marked by a spiritual respect for nature, with altars and offerings here and there. You come to Hamahigajima not to party but rather to disconnect. Tourism remains discreet: that’s what makes the island so pleasant. Those who sleep on-site experience another dimension. Indeed, Hamahigajima is an ideal place to observe the stars. The island is small, little urbanized, and far from large cities. This allows for a clear and very dark sky, perfect for stargazing 😉 You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye, especially in summer. Meteor showers (like the Perseids in August) are often quite visible there too. If you have a tripod, you can take very beautiful photos of the night sky. Think about it! 😉 The shrine of Shirumichu is across, 200 meters away. And you, in which region of the world do you live? What color is the ocean or the sea near your home? Tell me in the comments 😊 Hybrid aircraft (helicopter/plane) of the U.S. military. The V-22 Osprey (if I’m not mistaken 😉) Still with me? 😊
I hope I haven’t lost you along the way, right? 😉 For spiritually inclined individuals and couples seeking fertility, I will take you to the dedicated shrine of Shirumichu. Follow me! 😊 The entrance to the cave is at the top of the staircase, protected by a metal barrier. This is completely normal: it’s right here that prayers are offered. Out of respect for local béliers, I will not film the cave. Just remember that you have to climb every step to reach this sacred place, both discreet and deeply symbolic. This area toward the cave has been arranged thanks to the precious offerings. The neighborhood association warmly thanks you and leaves its phone number if you wish to contact it. Here it is! It’s right there! All you have to do is climb the steps and stand in front of the cave to say your prayer. Today’s walk is easily accessible and very pleasant. However, it might seem a bit long for children under 8. If you come with young children, I recommend opting for the bicycle or the car. There, on my left, a beverage dispenser. There are several along the way to allow you to refresh yourself 😊 If you’re in a car, no worries: parking is easy, with several parking lots near the places to visit. And you, do you like this kind of quiet place? Or do you prefer it when it’s livelier? Tell me in the comments if this kind of walk soothes you as much as me 😊 I don’t know if you believe in energy-charged places… but here, there’s something. Even without necessarily believing in it, you feel that you have to walk slowly, speak more quietly, almost whisper. Do you see it on the horizon? That azure blue sky is 100% Okinawa! This pure blue is already a spectacle … So imagine the night, illuminated by billions of stars. In a future video, you’ll discover Hamahigajima from the air with my drone. … but also the Higa area, which forms the other part of the island.
Do you remember? “Hama” + “Higa” + “jima”, the island divided into two villages 😊 Another shorter video will also be dedicated to Muruku Beach (ムルク浜), which is the most popular on the island. I hope this walk in Hamahigajima brought you a little calm… and the desire to travel. If you enjoyed this walk, a little comment would really make me happy 😊 If you want to continue walking with me, it’s very simple! Just subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss my next videos 😉 Thank you for walking with me up to here, it was a real pleasure to share this moment with you. See you very soon to continue the adventure 😊

🔔 Turn on subtitles to learn more about the places featured in this video!
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Discover the untouched beauty of the Okinawa islands with this ASMR walking tour. Wild, paradise-like beaches, a charming fishing village, and peaceful Japanese countryside await you in Hamahigajima. No narration or talking—just the soothing sound of waves and nature for total relaxation.
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Tour highlights:
🚶 Start at the fishing port.
🌿 Walk through traditional Japanese countryside, passing peaceful villages and lush greenery.
🏝️ Explore hidden beaches with crystal-clear waters—perfect for swimming, fishing, or shallow snorkeling with mask and snorkel.
🌊 Escape to this hidden paradise, walk on warm sand, and let the sound of the sea carry you away.
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💙 If you enjoy ASMR walking tours, peaceful travel videos, and nature sounds, don’t forget to LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE!
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📌 Subscribe to this channel🔔 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Okinawa-Daily-Life
🔗 Read the blog post about this paradise 👉 https://okinawa-daily-life.com/sacred-island-in-japan-okinawa-hamahiga/
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Chapter:
0:00 Departure of the walk
03:08 Amamichuu no haka Island
10:04 Departure for a walk in the Japanese countryside
24:33 Beach
38:25 Walk in the Japanese Countryside
40:08 Fishing village
44:56 Sea view
51:59 Beach
59:00 Shirumichu Shrine
1:04:15 Japanese countryside
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#4K #WalkingTour #beachvibes #hiddengem #japantravel #okinawa #countryside #snorkeling #asmr
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