Āra Beach, Coastal beach in Kumejima, Japan.
Āra Beach is a 600-meter stretch of white sand along the coast of Kumejima, Japan. The emerald water and sandy shore create an ideal setting for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.
In 840 AD, residents of Kumejima rescued passengers from a foreign vessel in distress near the present-day location of Āra Beach. This act of rescue became a defining moment in the island's past and continues to shape local identity.
The beach serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors come together for seasonal festivals and traditional Okinawan activities. You can feel the island's deep connection to the sea through these shared moments.
The beach has changing rooms, showers, and coin lockers available, along with 118 free parking spaces nearby. It typically operates for swimming from April through October, making spring and early autumn the best times to visit.
Next to the beach stands Āra Park, where a ship-shaped play structure commemorates the historical rescue event. This distinctive structure offers a tangible connection between the beach's past and present experience.
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