Kabira Bay from Kabira Park

Kabira Bay is a sheltered inlet on Ishigaki's north-west coast, protected as a national Place of Scenic Beauty and part of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Kabira Park sits on the slope above it, and from its paths the bay opens below: wooded islets, a strip of white sand and glass-bottom boats moored on water that runs from pale jade over the sand to deep blue over the channels.

Swimming in the bay is not allowed, because of the currents and the boat traffic, so the beach is for walking rather than bathing. For portraits, the paths and the steps down through the trees frame a couple in leaves with the water beyond; down on the sand, the boats and the islets make the background.

The colour depends on the sun: the water is at its brightest when the sun is high and the tide is in, and turns grey-green under cloud. Tour groups come through from mid-morning, so an early slot is quieter, while late morning gives the strongest colour. The bay is about half an hour's drive from Ishigaki town.