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Photo: Paipateroma, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A spectacular expanse of white sand and turquoise water, and the only beach where swimming is allowed.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
カイジ浜
Taketomi is one of only two islands in Japan (the other is Iriomote) that accumulate this 'sand' formed from the shells of thousands of tiny crustaceans. While Star Sand Beach (星砂の浜 Hoshizuna-no-hama) usually refers to the more accessible Kaiji, you can also find the stuff at the rarely visited Aiyaruhama (アイヤル浜) near the Hoshinoya resort. People are not allowed to take the sand — you must pick the individual stars.
竹富観光センター
喜宝院
Japan's southernmost temple, but it's not much to look at. It houses about 3,000 historical artifacts and local handicrafts gathered from around the island. With no English explanations, visitors may find it to be of limited interest; however, it is essentially the island's history and culture museum.
なごみの塔
A purpose-built concrete tower that offers views over the entire island. The steps up are very steep.
民芸館 Mingeikan
Has local artisans weaving traditional Yaeyaman minsā cloth.