The best photogenic beach on Shimoji Island has to be 17END (ワンセブンエンド), which spreads under the road surrounding the runway of Shimojishima Airport. At low tide, the sandy beach appears, and the stunning shallow blue sea spreads!
About 17END
The name 17END is derived from the runway number of Shimojishima Airport. All runways of airports around the world are numbered from 01 to 36 to indicate the approaching direction of the aircraft. The runway at Shimojishima Airport is designated as RW17 (runway one seven) due to the airplane from the seaward side landing in direction no. 17 (170 degrees).
In addition, in aviation terms, the end of the runway is called “Runway End”. So the beach at the end of the runway was eventually labelled as “17END”.
Unlike most beaches in Miyakojima City, 17END is man-made. The white sandy shore wasn’t there when the airport was completed. Thanks to the tidal activity, the sand accumulated around the airport formed the nice shore we would walk comfortably on at low tides!
Ever since the photos of 17END went viral on social media, many tourists have visited Shimoji-Shima for the breathtaking view. The gradation of the water’s blue is just amazing! The heaven-like scenery starts from the white sand to the emerald green seawater. The further away from the shore, the deeper the blue becomes.
The only con of 17END is the lack of coral reefs. And because of this, the beach is more like a swimming pool with crystal-clear water.
Tips:
☛ Nakanoshima Beach (中の島ビーチ), where much tropical fish resides, is more suitable for snorkeling.
☛ Don’t give up on 17END if the weather isn’t good. The weather in Miyakojima can change quite rapidly. So if you can, wait a moment, and the sun might just come back out!
☛ The closest toilet facility is at Tōriike Pond.
☛ The closest shower facility is at Toguchi no Hama Beach (渡口の浜) on Irabu Island across the bridge.
Important:
☛ There are no lifeguards stationed at 17END.
☛ Use all your limbs as you climb down the tetrapods to the beach’s shore, as spider webs may be attached to them.
☛ There are no vending machines or shops. Bring enough fluids with you before heading to 17END.
A Mecca for Aviation Enthusiasts (航空マニアの聖地)
17END is also known as the mecca for aviation enthusiasts. Located just at the end of the 3,000-meter runway, you can enjoy the scene where airplanes land and take off from the beach if you come at the right time.
What is good to keep in mind is that the direction the airplane will land from is affected by the direction of the wind.
In summer, aircraft usually land from the 17END side, whereas in winter, they usually come from the opposite direction.
Tip: Research the flight schedule in advance so you can get a photo of the airplane flying above you!
The Best Time to Visit 17END
- Before noon as you can only get backlight in the afternoon.
- In the late afternoon, for the sunset scenery
- From late June to early July for stable weather
Important: The sandy shore only appears during low tide. Refer to the tidal table HERE before you go. You can translate the webpage using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
How to Get to 17END
To get to 17END, there are two routes, one from Tōriike Pond (通り池) and the other one from Sawada no Hama Beach (佐和田の浜).
Just note that if you go from Sawada no Hama Beach, a lot of walking is involved, so please be careful! The car navigation system can show you the Sawada no Hama Beach route if you go from the Shimojishima Airport.
- If you plan on driving, several parking spaces are in front of the road closure signs on the Shimojishima side. From there, it is just around a 10-minute walk to 17END.
- There is no bus stop close to 17END. The closest bus stop, Dakiya (ダキヤー) on Irabu Island, is around a 50-minute walk away.
- You can refer to Irabu Island’s transportation information in our Irabu Island article.
Tip: The easiest way to get to 17END is probably by renting a bicycle or electric kickboard from the Shimojishima Airport.
Discover Other Awesome Attractions in Miyakojima City
Obviously, Shimoji shouldn’t be the only island to visit when you head to Miyakojima. So if you are unsure where else is worth your time, our Top 12 Attractions in Miyakojima City article can provide you with some ideas!
