Nagata Inaka Beach
Nagata Inaka Beach, a white sandy beach weathered by granite.
Ramsar Convention-listed wetlands
Registered on November 8, 2005
"Maehama," "Inakahama," and "Yotsusehama" in Nagata Village, located in the northwestern part of Yakushima, were collectively registered as "Nagata Beach" as a Ramsar Convention-listed wetland.
It is the largest sea turtle spawning ground in the North Pacific.
Nagata Beach consists of coarse sand weathered from granite and is about 30 meters wide. It is one of the few beaches on Yakushima with precious sand, and is designated as a national park area.
Every year from May to July, loggerhead turtles come to this small sandy beach to lay their eggs.
Ramsar Convention-listed wetlands
"Nagatahama" collectively with "Maehama", "Inaka-hama", and "Yotsusehama" located in the northwestern part of Yakushima, which accounts for about 30-40% of the total number of loggerhead turtles landing in Japan and is the largest spawning ground for loggerhead turtles in the North Pacific, was registered as a Ramsar Convention-listed wetland in 2005.
Nagata Beach is one of the few sandy beaches on Yakushima consisting of weathered granite, where many sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from May to July each year, and around July to August, the hatchlings leave for the sea.
A hatchling juvenile leaving for the sea
The newly hatched hatchlings head out to sea and begin their journey.
Nagata Inaka beach at sunset
Sunset and Kuchinoerabu Jima viewed from Nagata Inaka Beach.