A wide, green lawn area
The lawn beside the beach is very large, with plenty of trees, so there is a real sense of nature.
BeachNorthern Okinawa (Nago)
Yagaji Beach
Camping and barbecues on the wide lawn beside the beach
A beach where you can camp and barbecue on the wide lawn beside the sand. Among the campable beaches in the prefecture, the site here is one of the largest. Bungalows and lodges are available from around ¥2,000 per person, and charcoal is permitted for barbecues.
Clarity
2/5
Colour
3/5
Views
3/5
Shade
5/5
Facilities
4/5
Unspoilt
5/5
Highlights
The beachside is ideal for camping
You can camp on this lawn. There is the beach, of course, but with all the trees you come away feeling you have had both the sea and the hills. There are bungalows and lodges too, at around ¥2,000 per person.
Charcoal barbecues are allowed
Most beaches in the prefecture do not allow charcoal for barbecues, but Yagaji does. Barbecue enthusiasts will be pleased.
A mysterious causeway that appears only at low tide
At low tide a path appears to an island normally cut off by the sea. It was not possible on the day of this visit, but they say you can cross to the small island at the far right of the photograph. There are photographs on the official website. I would like to see it next time.
Good to Know
The size of the beach (right)
Taken from the right of the swimming area. The sand runs more than 300 metres, but it is narrow — about 10 metres. The lawn area is wide, so it never feels cramped.
The size of the beach (left)
Taken from the left of the swimming area.
Water clarity and gradation
The clarity is lower than at other beaches. As at Kouri Beach, the shape of the coast lets ocean swell in and the surface is easily disturbed, which makes it hard to see the bottom clearly. The gradation is a little below average: the emerald green is clear enough, but there is not much of the transparent blue at the water's edge or the deep blue offshore.
Shade
The lawn area beside the beach has plenty of tree shade, including close to the swimming area, so you can spread a mat in the shade and still swim.
Swimming and snorkelling
The swimming area is shallow — below adult hip depth even at its deepest. Snorkelling is possible, but between the shallow water, the low clarity and the small number of fish, it is not really suited to it.
Toilets
The toilets are in the lodge opposite reception (this photograph).
Showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and foot rinse
The shower and changing room building, which is on the older side. Showers are ¥150 cold or ¥300 hot for adults, ¥100 cold or ¥200 hot for children. There are no coin lockers, but you can park on the lawn right in front of the beach, so leaving small valuables in the car seems fine. There is no foot rinse.
Water sports and marine activities
Yagaji Beach hires out sea kayaks and boats. A sea kayak is ¥2,500 per hour, and since it seats two that feels good value. Boats are cheaper still. See the price list on the official website for details.
Kiosk
There is a kiosk inside the reception building in the photograph, but the range is very limited. Assume nothing is on sale — food, drink or barbecue supplies — and bring everything you need.
Equipment hire
For hire there are a few rings and masks, as shown in the photograph. As with the kiosk, it is best not to count on it.
Restaurant and snack bar menu
There is no restaurant or snack bar beside the beach, but "Haneji no Eki Yanbaru Tamago", five minutes by car, has both. They close at 19:00, which is worth noting if you are staying overnight.
Restaurant menu
The restaurant menu is mostly Okinawan standards.
Barbecues
As noted above, you can barbecue over charcoal at Yagaji. There is a washing-up area for barbecues beside the lodge, and you are free to bring your own equipment and food. The all-in sets are cheap and save a lot of preparation, so they are worth considering. From the barbecue equipment price list on the official website (booking required) you can open a PDF with the details.
Camping, bungalows and lodges
You can pitch a tent on the lawn at Yagaji. Tents are not for hire, so without one you can stay in the bungalow in this photograph or in the lodge opposite reception. Even the most expensive lodge works out at ¥2,250 per person including entry and parking, which is very cheap.
Beach yoga
We do not run beach yoga at Yagaji Beach. The nearest beach where we do is 21st Century Forest Beach, about 25 minutes away by car.
Note
It is a matter of the coastline and cannot be helped, but the swimming area is shallow enough that adults will find it unsatisfying. And the clarity suffers as soon as there is any wave action. If swimming is your only aim, another beach would be better.
Information
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Last checked: August 2018
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): 屋我地ビーチ 沖縄県名護市字屋我１４３番地
Morning and evening yoga
at Yagaji Beach
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.