Comparing the stars in the sky to sand grains is a common way of visualizing the enormity of the universe. But at some unique beaches in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, the sand grains really are stars.
Photo: Psammophile
The Foraminifera phylum includes some 10,000 species that create shells of various designs. Star-shaped shells, such as the kind created by the Baculogypsina sphaerulata species shown here, are very rare.
Photo: labormikro
Not all sandy beaches at Okinawa have the star sand though. The most famous spots include Kaiji beach on Taketomi Island and Star Sand Beach on Iriomote Island, as well as Tokashiki Island’s Aharen Beach.
The star sand can also be found all over Hatoma Island, and the more isolated islands are also good places to find it.
Photo: Okinawa Travel
