A phantom white sand beach that appears only at low tide off the southernmost island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yoron Island. Its appearance floating amid emerald green and cobalt blue waters has earned it the name "Pearl of the Orient," and it boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Japan. The highly transparent sea surrounding Yoron, encircled by coral reefs, can be enjoyed through snorkeling…

Yoron Island is located near the northern end of the Ryukyu Archipelago and is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times. The origin of the island's name is debated, with some traditions tracing it to Ryukyuan linguistic roots. By around the 12th to 13th centuries, the island is though…